Scottish nationalists strong on endurance for long road to independence

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http://www.dw.com/en/scottish-nationalists-strong-on-endurance-for-long-road-to-independence/a-18779310

Scotland's nationalists say their cause is as relevant as ever. They're carefully taking steps to ensure the next campaign for independence from Britain results in a "yes." Peter Geoghegan reports from Glasgow.

Scottish nationalists strong on endurance for long road to independence
Peter Geoghegan
14.10.2015

In the past, the Scottish National Party frequently held their conference in small Scottish towns. Dunoon, Oban, even tiny Rothesay (population 4,850) on the isle of Bute hosted the nationalists' tartan bedecked annual gathering in years bygone.

How times have changed. This week the SNP meets at the sleek surroundings of the vast Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. Unlike many political get-togethers, tickets have been hard to come by - the Scottish nationalists now have more than 110,000 members, a more than fourfold increase since a 10-point defeat in last September's independence referendum.

In Aberdeen, there will be no formal debate about another vote on leaving the three centuries union with England - despite attempts by rank-and-file members to put it on the agenda - but the question of independence will be uppermost on many delegates' minds.

Scottish First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has come under pressure to include a commitment to a second referendum on the party's manifesto for next year's Scottish parliament elections as recent polls have shown growing support for going it alone.