UK: Scottish First Minister Sturgeon claims "cast iron mandate" for IndyRef2

W/S First Minister of Scotland and Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon arriving on stage, Aberdeen
W/S Sturgeon walking to podium
SOT, Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and Scottish National Party leader: "Brexit shows that the Westminster system is broken. And it is broken utterly beyond repair. Conference, we have a cast iron mandate for an independence referendum. That fact is beyond doubt. But we don't just have a right to offer the people of Scotland a choice over their future. In the circumstances now Scotland faces, we have a duty to do so. And it is what we intend to do. But let me be clear about this. The process by which we choose Scotland's future must be capable of actually achieving independence. It must allow majority support to be expressed clearly and unambiguously. It must be legal. And it must have the recognition of the international community. Why? Because our job is not just to deliver a referendum. Our job is to deliver independence."
M/S Conference attendees waving Scottish flag *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and Scottish National Party leader: "I can confirm today that before the end of this year, I will demand the transfer of power that puts the legality of a referendum beyond any doubt."
M/S Conference attendees clapping *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and Scottish National Party leader: "The question should not be to the SNP – what will we do if Westminster refuses? The question should be demanded of the Westminster parties – what gives you any right to deny people in Scotland our ability to choose our own future?"
W/S Conference attendees clapping and Sturgeon on podium *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and Scottish National Party leader: "The UK has a prime minister who has acted unlawfully. He cares nothing, nothing, for the human consequences of his disastrous Brexit policy. Indeed, virtually every day since he entered Downing Street, Boris Johnson has demonstrated – on every level – that he is thoroughly unfit for the office he holds."
W/S Sturgeon at podium
SOT, Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and Scottish National Party leader: "Brexit is a disaster. Whatever happens over the next few weeks it will continue to dominate Westminster for years to come. There is no sense in which it will be "done". We don't yet know whether the UK will leave with a deal or without. But we do know that neither of these outcomes is in Scotland's interests. A no deal Brexit is unthinkable. And for the Scottish Tories in particular to back such an outcome is simply unforgivable."
W/S Sturgeon at podium and audience applauding
SOT, Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and Scottish National Party leader: "The world is waiting for us, so let's win our nation's independence."
W/S Sturgeon leaving podium
M/S Sturgeon blowing kisses to crowd
M/S Sturgeon holding 'Yes' flag (Yes to Scottish independence)
SCRIPT
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon claimed a "cast iron mandate" for a second Scottish independence referendum during a speech at her Scottish National Party (SNP) conference in Aberdeen on Tuesday.
“Brexit shows that the Westminster system is broken. And it is broken utterly beyond repair. Conference, we have a cast iron mandate for an independence referendum. That fact is beyond doubt." Sturgeon said.
She also stated in her speech that before then end of 2019 she will petition Westminster for a "transfer of power" so that the referendum has a legal basis which is "beyond any doubt." At an earlier point in her speech she also emphasised that the proposed independence referendum 'must happen next year.'
"Brexit is a disaster. Whatever happens over the next few weeks it will continue to dominate Westminster for years to come. There is no sense in which it will be 'done'. We don't yet know whether the UK will leave with a deal or without. But we do know that neither of these outcomes is in Scotland's interests. A no deal Brexit is unthinkable," she added.
The SNP leader also accused UK PM Boris Johnson as being "unfit" for his position and added that "he cares nothing for the human consequences of his disastrous Brexit policy."