• First Minister John Swinney reflected on a big year on the international stage for Scotland, and criticised the SNP's "weak" opposition parties
• He repeated calls for Scotland to become independent and points to Northern Ireland and Wales also having nationalist leaders
• The SNP leader pledged to bring buses back under public control and expand the £2 bus ticket cap to Aberdeen and the North East
• New funds were announced including £30m for community groups and £1m for schools to fight misogyny
• Swinney also pledged to make harassment and abuse based on misogyny a specific criminal offence before the summer recess
• He reiterated pledges to end child poverty and calls to leave the UK and re-join the EU
• The first minister became emotional as he called his son his "motivation" to leave Scotland a better place for him, before ending on a final call for Scottish independence

That's all from us today. The editor was Claire Diamond and the writers were Katy Scott and Claire Thomson. Thanks for joining us.

The causes close to Swinney's heartpublished at 16:14 BST 17 October

16:14 BST 17 October

James Cook
Scotland editor

Causes close to John Swinney's heart featured prominently in this speech.

Anyone who has spent any time with the Scottish National Party leader in the past few months will tell you he is fired up with outrage about violence against women and girls.

The first minister has also repeatedly stressed his personal commitment to eliminating child poverty, and it was with that in mind that he set out plans to ease cost of living pressures, including with subsidised bus travel.

And he drew sustained applause with a promise to fight the forces of the far right.

But the dearest cause for the SNP leader is of course that of Scottish independence.

He did not mention Andy Burnham by name but Swinney's peroration, with its focus on his son Matthew, was his deeply personal response to what sources close to him accept was an impassioned plea from the prime minister to preserve the union.

Both leaders are trying to win hearts – but both know that's only half the battle.

Image source, SNP

The SNP leader wraps up his speech with a call for independence which receives a standing ovation.

He heads off stage and hugs his son and wife, and the three stand together for pictures.

Swinney then walks down the crowd shaking hands and waving to the crowd.

The first minister concludes his speech by saying his youngest son, Matthew, acts as his motivation.

He emotionally says his goal is to leave Scotland a better place for him.

"What are past glories, if we cannot build a future for our children?" Swinney poses.

He says no one will ever do a better job for Scotland than the people who love the country.

"That is what is in my heart," he adds.

Image source, PA Media

Swinney moves on to discuss the meeting he had recently with other nations, which he says "certainly upset some of our opponents".

The nationalist first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland held a summit in Cardiff last month where they signed an agreement, which is not legally binding, that said no Westminster government had the right to "block democracy".

He says he chooses Scotland and independence and is determined to deliver it.

Swinney continues to make arguments in favour of Scottish independence.

He claims the UK that people voted for in 2014 no longer exists, mentioning pensions, defence and EU memberships.

The first minister says for centuries people in the Celtic nations were told "we are not good enough".

But he adds self-confidence in Scotland is growing.

"We are more than good enough to be an independent country," Swinney says.

Swinney repeats his party's wishes to re-join the European Union.

"With each passing day, the damage of that decision – one which Scotland wanted no part of – becomes ever more stark," he adds.

He says countries in the EU can make interventions to support people in the cost of living crisis but Britain has "boxed itself into a corner".

The first minister says the UK is failing to keep Scotland secure, with nuclear weapons on the Scottish coastline.

He says the UK is focused on "projecting power" when Scotland wants to be an "international partner for peace".

He also calls for a two-state solution in the Israel-Gaza conflict and "peace and justice for the Palestinian people".

He says Scots must stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine, too.

Are NHS waiting times coming down?published at 15:47 BST 17 October

15:47 BST 17 October

BBC Scotland: Aimee Stanton

Swinney says "NHS waiting lists must come down further".

Waiting list data from Public Health Scotland, external, external(PHS) shows there has been an overall improvement in the number of long waits for hospital appointments or procedures since summer 2024, but in recent months the number has levelled off.

The latest PHS data shows just over 30,000 waits exceeding 52 weeks across both outpatients and inpatients/day cases at the end of August.

There was a very small increase between June and July, but prior to this the number of long waits fell month on month throughout the year in the lead up to the Scottish parliament election in May.

But since the vote, the number of long waits has stayed relatively unchanged.

Swinney had previously pledged to end long waits by March this year but this target was missed.

Swinney brings up "triple lock" pensions, describing the abolition as a "policy of economic despair".

He says the problem with the UK state pension is that it is too low but an independent Scotland can help older people feel secure.

Swinney turns to his government's top priority - ending child poverty.

This is a "moral imperative" but also the "greatest investment we can make in Scotland’s future success", he says.

The Perthshire North MSP says a stronger economy can help invest in the "wellbeing, dignity and security" of all people in Scotland.

Every child should get the best start in life, he tells the conference.

"The SNP are building a Scotland for the world of today and the hopes of tomorrow," Swinney says followed by applause from the audience.

He claims Westminster does not understand Scotland and the UK government are "fixated" on the past.

The party launched a new campaign called Choose Scotland at the conference.

Swinney says it is backed by enthusiasm and energy and will offer hope and ambition.

He adds Scotland has many economic strengths - including the energy sector, rural economy and creative industries - but the powers of independence are needed to build on them.

Swinney says public services will be "renewed" by an SNP government.

He claims improvements must be made to NHS waiting lists, education and social care.

The first minister wants communities to be empowered and change to the status quo in Scotland.

Image source, Getty Images

Swinney says the Scottish government will bring the bus network back into public control.

The first minister says this will bring "more buses" and "more frequent buses".

He also pledges to expand the £2 bus cap to Aberdeen and the north east.

The price cap is currently in place in Glasgow and the West as well as the Highlands and Islands.

"This is a region that has felt real economic pain," he says.

"From Peterhead to Portlethen, Turriff to Torry - the cost of living is biting here just as elsewhere."

Swinney moves on to discuss the cost of living crises.

He says the SNP has introduced help with household budgets, which is "unmatched" in the rest of the UK.

This includes free prescriptions and eye tests, lower council tax bills, the Scottish Child Payment, the baby box and abolishment of peak rail fares.

"But I am determined to go further," the first minister says.

The first minister turns his attention to violence against women and girls.

“I have been appalled at the creeping normalisation of misogynistic behaviour in our society,” he says.

He promises to bring forward a bill to make harassment and abuse based on misogyny a specific criminal offence before the summer recess.

Swinney pledges to back this up by establishing a £1m “respect fund” which gives schools the tools to tackle misogyny.

The Scottish government will also establish a new partnership to expand Police Scotland’s 'Don’t Be That Guy' campaign, he says.

”This partnership will bring together high-profile sportsmen from football, rugby, cycling, swimming, athletics, golf and tennis,” the FM adds.

"Challenging head-on the harmful behaviours and cultural norms that our boys and young men are seeing in life - and online."

Swinney goes on to announce a new three-year £30m Scotland Together Fund for community groups.

He says every person who chooses to live in Scotland is welcome and the country must come together to face division and hatred.

"The best way to combat the rise of the racists is in the communities of Scotland on the ground," the first minister says.

He adds: "Scotland belongs to all who live here and the SNP will always fight against the forces of the far right".

Image source, SNP

Swinney says opposition parties are becoming “ever more desperate” and says UK parties are “weaker” than before.

He points to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all having nationalist leaders and says Scottish independence is leading “poll after poll”.

“We are winning the argument,” he tells the conference. “We are winning, because of one simple truth: Scotland is ready to be independent.”

Swinney says everyday the SNP are making people's lives better and can improve them "here and now".

He mentions the Scottish Child Payment, free university tuition for Scottish students, cheaper buses and trains, GP walk-in centres and cost of living packages.

The first minister says if his party had lost the election then independence "would have been set back decades" but the party "refused to be blown off course".

Image source, Getty Images

He begins by looking back in 2026 and says Scotland is a nation “loved, admired and respected the world over”.

The first minister points to Scotland’s hand in international events like the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and Scotland's men's national football team heading to the US for the World Cup.

Swinney says Scotland has “so much to offer” and praises the SNP’s performance at the Scottish elections in May.

“A fifth consecutive SNP victory,” he says. “More seats than the Tories, Labour, Liberals and Reform combined.”

He says the party is now ready to move Scotland “forward to independence”.

First Minister John Swinney walks on stage to applause from the SNP conference crowd.