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Scottish National party leader tells conference: ‘This can be the independence generation’ Support for home rule is growing among Scots of all ages and backgrounds, Alex Salmond has told the Scottish National party conference as he proclaimed: “This can be the independence generation.” Salmond was speaking as the SNP gathered in Inverness at its first annual conference since securing a historic majority in elections to the Scottish parliament this year. The result means that a poll on Scotland’s continued membership of the more than 300-year-old union is now expected in or before 2015. In an attempt to display the differences between the government in Edinburgh and that in Westminster, Salmond pounced on this week’s announcement that a multimillion-pound carbon capture project in Fife had been shelved by the coalition. He said the SNP’s Scottish government was committed to securing the future of the country’s energy resources. “Scotland’s vast energy reserves can power our future as an independent nation. Fuel poverty amid such energy plenty in Scotland makes it essential that our national parliament gains responsibility for the nation’s abundant resources,” he added. Announcing inward investment for a tidal energy project for Orkney, he said: “The SNP government’s efforts to secure such investment from around the world stand in stark contrast to the lack of commitment to Scotland’s energy future from the UK government – as with their shameful decision to pull out of the Longannet carbon capture project.” He sought to portray the SNP as the guardian of Scotland’s energy interests, whether of the fossil fuel or renewable variety. Revenues from oil “bestowed upon us by the creator of the universe” were running at record levels. Salmond cited a recent comment by the prime minister on a trip to Scotland that North Sea oil was “set to be around for many, many years to come”. This was in contrast to what David Cameron’s “geography teacher had told him at Eton”. The first minister added: “We are leading the global revolution in clean, green renewable energy. All of that massive potential means Scotland must gain responsibility for our own resources with independence.” The mood among the SNP faithful was confident and upbeat, despite the possibility that the coming referendum may offer Scots a third option of greater devolution that stops short of independence. Recent polls have indicated that such a “devo-max” alternative may prove popular. After a burst of a cover of Brian Ferry’s “Let’s Stick Together” and video footage of May’s electoral triumph, Salmond, who is to deliver his main speech on Saturday, told them: “The SNP gather in great spirits as the first ever majority government in Scotland, with an unprecedented mandate based on our record, team and vision for Scotland which won us the historic election. We thank the people of Scotland for the faith and trust they have placed in the SNP in government.” Looking ahead to the referendum, which could hail the breakup of the British state, he said: “As well as our renewed mandate, and our record membership, the SNP now has all the momentum in Scottish politics as we build towards the independence referendum. “A change is coming, and the people are eager for progress for Scotland – something that none of the unionist parties acknowledge or allow for.” Alex Salmond Scottish National party (SNP) Scottish politics Scotland Stephen Khan guardian.co.uk