The SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar had been planning to attend but his flight from Stornoway was cancelled on Saturday morning. 

In a statement on Twitter, he said: "Had I made the SNP Convention in Dundee today (Stornoway flight cancelled) and if I had been called I would have said roughly the following this afternoon."

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Below is MacNeil's speech, in full:

"Feasgair math. It is good to address an SNP audience on the matter of elections for independence- the de facto referendum route.  I have tried to get this Plan B on elections before SNP delegates for last 4 annual conferences, not to mention spring conferences, with no success, however I trust the matter will not be blocked for a fifth year this October.  

"After the Supreme Court ruling it was obvious to all, that the referendum route was blocked, as what is called the “Scottish Parliament” which is a devolved parliament of Westminster, could not legislate in this area.  That combined with the UK Government and main opposition party consistently ruling out a referendum via a Section30 buries a referendum. 

"However in paragraph 81, the Supreme Court conceded the great democratic truth central to the 4-5 year Plan B or de facto referendum argument.  Remember a referendum had to be stopped because despite “no immediate legal consequences” and “even if the UK Government had not given any  political commitment to act upon it” however, the democracy of the ballot box “would posses authority in a constitution and political culture founded upon democracy”.   The same truth applies to the same voters answering with their votes in the same ballot boxes at an election on independence. 

"Anybody who argues that the UK Parliament would run counter to the assertions of paragraph 81 are wrong.  Enough Tory and Labour English MPs I have spoken to concede privately that if we vote for independence we get it.  They won’t dictate against democracy like some western Putin or Lukashenko and we shouldn’t paint them like that.  

"Also if Scotland votes for it obviously Scotland then wants accepts independence, as will the international community – the UK Gov will not want to be an outlier.  Of course if the population doesn’t vote for it, then no independence until another election gives another opportunity.  

"Immediately after the Supreme Court almost all our movement conceded the referendum route was dead, sometimes it seems some have unlearned this.  To those still not caught up with present reality - If Westminster gives you a referendum well and good, -  spoiler they won’t - but please meantime don’t form an axis with Sunak/Starmer who are blocking a referendum to independence by blocking use of elections to independence.  

"The only realistic option now, is an election.  An election for independence AND not for meekly requesting a referendum, which will again be refused. 

"Also by now at least realise, know learn that an early Election is possible (although timing desirability is a different issue) by changing Sec3(1)(a) of the Scotland Act and if you still, don’t believe this truth get your MSP to go to the Scot Parliament authorities or MP to go to House of Commerce library, as I did, for confirmation.  

"Finally why does this all matter, well by 2050 as the Irish population will grow 20%, Iceland by 32%, Norway & Denmark by 10-15%, even tiny Faroes by 6% - countries all around us – BUT Scotland will fall by 2%,  and for me worse still as the Hebrides will be worst affected in Scotland.  We have no time to dilly dally if we want to thrive like our independent neighbours.  

"So today no decisions will be made BUT make sure we can decide in October by not blocking a motion again- a full 11months after the Supreme Court!!! 

"Tapadh leibh."