Nicola Sturgeon tells people from across the UK: 'Come to Scotland'

Nicola Sturgeon - photo credit: FM's office

Nicola Sturgeon had invited people from across the UK to come and move to Scotland and “be part of building a modern, progressive, outward-looking, compassionate country”.

Speaking at the SNP conference in Aberdeen the SNP leader contrasted the “European, internationalist” SNP with the UK Conservative party, which she accused of wanting to “go back in time”.

Responding to Theresa May’s claim that “now is not the time” for a second referendum, Sturgeon said the Brexit vote had left Scotland at “a crossroads in our national life”, adding “let us resolve to give Scotland a choice”.

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Sturgeon said: “Since the Brexit vote, I've had loads of messages from people in other parts of the UK asking if they can move to Scotland. Now, I'm sure many of them are joking. But there is a serious point.

“The UK is about to turn its back on membership of the world's biggest single market.

“Imagine what will happen if Scotland chooses to stay. We will become a magnet for talent and investment from all across the UK. So let me issue this open invitation today.

“Scotland isn't full up. If you are as appalled as we are at the path this Westminster government is taking, come and join us. Come here to live, work, invest or study.

“Come to Scotland - and be part of building a modern, progressive, outward-looking, compassionate country.”

The First Minister also called on her supporters to reach out to those unconvinced by arguments for independence, urging them to base conversations in “courtesy, understanding and respect”.

Sturgeon said: “There will be an independence referendum. But I also know that for every one of us who is full of excitement and anticipation, there will be someone else feeling nervous and anxious, perhaps even resentful.”

She added: “Our job is not to talk to each other. It is to reach out to those not persuaded - to put ourselves in their shoes.

“To understand the hopes, fears and ambitions of all our fellow citizens. And to do what we can to establish common ground.”