NICOLA Sturgeon pledged to hold a new Scottish independence referendum in the next parliamentary term if she is returned as First Minister on May 6.
Speaking at the manifesto launch, her choice of language appeared to differ from previous comments on indyref2 timing.
The Scottish Government’s draft bill on holding indyref2 previously stated a new referendum should be held “within the first half” of the next term.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon launches SNP manifesto with pledge to 'build a better nation'
The SNP leader told viewers that holding an independence referendum during the pandemic would be a “dereliction of duty”.
However, she added: “But it would also be a dereliction of my duty as First Minister – my duty to this and future generations – to let Westminster take Scotland so far in the wrong direction that we no longer have the option to change course.
“So it is my judgment that the people of Scotland should decide Scotland’s future through an independence referendum in the next term of parliament.”
Sturgeon looked towards other European nations as an example of where Scotland could be with independence.
“I believe passionately that with the powers of independence we can do so much more for Scotland. I look around Europe and I see independent countries, of similar size to us, that are among the wealthiest, fairest and happiest in the world. If Denmark and Norway and Ireland can do it, then with all our resources and talent, why not Scotland?”
READ MORE: READ: Nicola Sturgeon's full speech as she launches SNP manifesto
The UK Government is seeking to take Scotland “in a direction that people here did not vote for”, Sturgeon said.
“They are using their powers to take Scotland in the wrong direction and they are pressing the accelerator.
“This will make recovery more difficult as they hurtle towards a deeply damaging destination that few people in Scotland want.”
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