Criticize the policies of Prime MinisterBoris Johnson and president donald trump. This is just over 50 minutes. If youre sitting want to talk to you today about two futures. About a choice of two futures. Country and for our world. You know there are times in fundamental decisions have to be made. Decisions guided by our values nd by our hopes for future generations. Standing up involve this is such aht moment. Olitics today is dominated in too many countries by straw man leaders with inflated egos and n overbearing sense of entitlement. Mra [applause] you have a Prime Minister who acted unlawfully. He cares nothing for the disastrous of his brexit policy. Virtually every day since he entered downing street, demonstrated has on every level that he is unfit for the office he holds. [applause] cross the atlantic [laughter] the current incumbent of the just his latest outrage, has allowed a war in middle east to erupt. It clear our make strong opposition to turkish aggression in northern syria. [applause] have been on the front front ave been on the line of isis. Bombed. Are being whats happening is unconscionable. It must stop now. [applause] what does johnson and donald common is this. Belief that nothing should be allowed to stand in the way of selfinterest. Not facts or evidence, not the of law, not democracy. In some cases, not even basic human rights. Policies of e johnson and trump but let us be to date that we reject r methods to transpopulism tramples the rights of minorities and tears at the very fabric of our democracy. Us. Ts not for that is not who we are. [applause] times. Se are dark its late but there is always hope. Progressive values are being europe. For in young people are taking a stand for their future. For scotland, the whole line is becoming an independent nation. There is no doubt about this. For winning the case independence. [applause] connelly saidilly scotland were to elect independence we it, too. Ect great scotland is in shape. Poetically, humbly, i agree. Catching for scotland up with governments he said anymore. T take it he used a also polite word than you get the drift. And hes right. We want take it anymore. Shouldnt take it anymore. Of our e to take charge own future. Its time for our independence. [applause] we will win our independence not the brexit. Democracy. Rmining disagree. Those who well win by inspiring and persuading, so let us resolve to campaign for independence will always, always tolerant, open, inclusive and democratic nation were determined to be. [applause] it seems impossible to what seemed impossible five years ago no longer exists. Said to be impossible is now all too real. Vividly remember in 2014, the irector of the north campaign being asked about the prospect becoming ohnson leader. Quote, a was, and i scare story. Coming from him that was quite accolade. Its like being taught malcolm tucker. Reasoning was this. Boris johnson would only become tory leader if they lost the and got rid of david cameron. To aid the campaign had decide whether it was scare about Boris Johnson. It couldnt be both. Guess what . Boris johnson is Prime Minister and those who led he campaign will never be trusted by the people of scotland ever again. [applause] they told us to vote no to stay in the e. U. They told us we would lead the uk. They said we would enjoy a union dividend. But instead we suffered years. We faced job losses and a brexit recession. Were even having to plan for medicine. Of food and friends, i dont know about you, ut i think there is Something Else were short of. Abject is short of an apology from the tories, labor, and the liberals, for all of those broken promises. [applause] after those broken promises, scotland faces removal from the e. U. Brexit is a disaster. Whatever happens over the next few weeks it will continue to dominate westminster for years sense inut there is no which it will be done. We dont know yet whether the uk leave with a deal or know neither e do of these outcomes is in scotlands interest. Brexit is unthinkable. Scottish tories in simply ar is unforgivabl unforgivable. Boris johnson, his deal would not be much better. His plans would take scotland e. U. , out of the Single Market and out of the union. S let me make this absolutely today. Smps and mps will not vote for that. Not now, not ever. [applause] us facing a ave future relationship with the e. U. That is even more distant by theresa visioned may. Oris johnsons line is any guarantee of protection for safety rates, workers rates, all of that has been sacrificed on ali alter for a trade deal with donald trump. Try to barter with the quality of scotlands food environmenty of its the f you ever dare to smp will fight you every single step of the way. [applause] brexit is so much worse for scotland. Its happening against our will. One of the sticking points in he negotiations with the e. U. Has been the issue of consent for northern ireland. To be a deal it seems inevitable that it would to decidehern ireland if and for how long it will staal lined to the Single Market customs union. Thats exactly as it should be. About what that will mean. Have voted to leave. England will have voted to leave. Arthern ireland will be given say over its future. Scotland will be the only country in the you can you can e. U. Taken out of the against their will, and with no relationshipfuture with europe. Thats not a partnership of equals. Thats a denial of fairness and basic democracy. [applause] brexit is a disaster, but it of a deeper problem. Westminster is the political union. For scotland, brexit shows that westminster system is utterlyand it is broken beyond repair. We have a e, castiron mandate for an referendum. Is beyond doubt. Mra [applause] we dont just have a right to offer the people of scotland a over their future. N the circumstances, scotland we have a duty to do we intend to what do. Mra [applause] let me be clear about this. By which we choose scotlands future must be actually achieving independence. Support llow majority to be expressed clearly and unambiguously. Legal and it must ave the recognition of the international community. Why . Ecause jobs are not just to deliver a referendum. Is to deliver independence. Ojobs are not just to deliver a referendum. Our job is to deliver independencujobs are not just t deliver a referendum. Our job is to deliver independence. Rjobs are not just deliver a referendum. Our job is to deliver independenc jobs are not just to deliver a referendum. Our job is to deliver independence. Are not just to deliver a referendum. Our job is to deliver not just to deliver a referendum. Our job is to deliver independence. Not just to deliver a referendum. Our job is to deliver independenc not just to deliver a referendum. Our job is to deliver independence. I not just to deliver a referendum. Our job is to deliver independence. S not just to deliver a referendum. Our job is to deliver independence. [applause]. My call is that the referendum must happen next year. Ready. Etting mra [applause] were and we are getting ready for the new year. Completed our legislative preparations. Ere already working to update the independent perspective. I can confirm today that before year i will is demand the transfer of power hat puts the legality of that referendum beyond any doubt. [applause] the iends, when i do, question should not be to the do if at will we westminster refuses . The question should be demanded westminster parties, what gives you any right to deny scotland the ability choose . [applause] [laughter] the westminster refusal is not sustainable. We can already see the cracks appearing. The labor leadership in london wales have recognized our right to choose. Look ake scottish labor ridiculous than normal. All of the other parties are orking in confidence that a referendum can be blocked but trying to raise the question, there is going to be a referendum and they know when choose , scotland will independence. Mra [applause] support is rising. Task is to build it even further and make the demand irresistible. And soon well have the chance the strength of public opinion. General election is imminent and it cant come soon enough. Message will our be clear, simple, and unambiguous. Emand independence and secure scotlands right to choose. Some suggest that an election result in a hung parliament. The smp will never put the power but i have a message for any westminster smp support. Ants scotlands respect right to choose, at a time of our own choosing, dont even picking up the phone. Year after year, decade after ecade, decisions about our future have been made by westminster governments, but scotland has rejected. Those decisions have taken their toll on scotland, and they have case for the union. For some people, that case will great sted on the nationalized industries of the post war era. Those industries were abandoned by a tory government scotland did not vote for. Others it will be the welfare state. Welfare state thats being dismantled by another government we didnt vote for. Many, it will have been division of an outward looking shared future in europe. But even that is being taken from us by a government vote for. Id not ive say enough. Enough of a got scotland did not imposing policies we do not support. [applause] talk to ow, when i people are oh open to they ndence, even though voted no in 2014, what strikes me is this. Their priorities havent shifted. They still want an economy that works for ordinary people. Social Security System thats there when they need it. Nd they want an equal partnership and the chance to play a part in europe. Sentiments havent changed, but the way to achieve them has. Commitment made to the postwar generations have been broken but the just and the fair that was promised can still be realized. Now, when realized our countrys n independence. It is inexplicable to me that who cares about social justice would want to leave thats at westminster, when so often means leaving them in the house of right wing tory overnment and i think it would be inexplicable today, to the the scottish labour big , james one of the favors of labor movement, spoke about the campaign for home rule in the 1920s. His words are worth quoting. Me. Ulge give us our parliament in scotland. In connection with year well traditions. O well start with ideals. Spend their will whole energy, their whole brain power, their whole courage and whole sole making scotland into a country in which we can all nations of the air and sea. This is our land, our scotland. People. E our these are our men, women, and children, can you beat it . Conference, if thats not a modern day definition of ndependence, i dont know what is. Its time to complete that journey. Independence to build a better society. [applause] in these tush len times our to bring hope. To be the confident builders, best place to start is always with the facts. National income is higher per head than countries new france, japan, and zealand. Tell not ever let anyone you that scotland is to become independent because we most certainly are. Strengths raordinary in energy, science, research, food and drink, tourism, services, industries, manufacturing, digital technology, so dont let them scotlands economy is not Strong Enough to be either. Dent although were not big enough, out of the 10 wealthiest developed countries out of a smaller than o or scotland, from luxembourg to reland from austria to switzerland and norway, ountries of our size are leading the world, and they tend be happier as well ch. True. S eight out of 10 of the worlds happiest countries have or lations similar to smaller than ours. Of the not aware unionist partys trying to tell to hat were too miserable be independent yet. Inevitably t day comes, you know the answer. Point is this. Were a wealthy country. And ng with talent potential. This is our scotland. Rich enough, Strong Enough, big to take our place among of the pendent nations world, and thats what we must now do. [applause] brexit in any form puts our at risk so we must reject. Goes to the exit bottom and embrace instead a ace to join that top tier of independent nations, and consider this. Country, ependent e. U. Scotland will have a unique advantage. Be in the e. U. Single market, a bridge between europe ad the uk, making our country magnet for Global Investment and confidence. Best of at i call the both forst the foundation independence is strong. The value lies in the opportunity to build a stable country. Yhe twin hallmarks of this tor government has been tax cuts for the rich. Lowestte pension is the in the developed world. To add insult to injury, peoplester has robbed born of their pension, and that is a shame. [applause] standsrgeon the snp with the women. The government must give them back the money that is theirs by right. [applause] but pensions could be even worse. By iaintank set up duncan smith, the architect, pension age should rise to 75. I say to the tories, if you ever tried to bring this in, the snp the way. Se it all of we can take responsibility and save our own priorities, and we can also say what we do not want to spend money on. Nuclear weapons are immoral, but they are also a massive waste of money. [applause] we can and we will, with independence, get rid of the missiles once and for all. [applause] ms. Sturgeon and here is another idea for saving some cash. The house of lords. [applause] the secondbiggest legislative chamber in the world after that National Peoples congress of china. [laughter] ms. Sturgeon you know, at one , and there were 63 peers they claim more than one Million Pounds between them just for being there. That is undemocratic, and with independence, we would not have to contribute a single penny to lords. We can have a modern parliament with a written constitution, instead. [applause] ms. Sturgeon our task is to build confidence in the strength of our economy and in our vision of a fairer, more democratic country, and through our actions in government, we will continue to build confidence in the value of decisionmaking here in scotland. Said was a politician who vision is not enough. It must be combined with venture. To look up theh steps. You have to stay on the stairs. The most important obligation, moral obligation, we owed to future generations is too bequeathed to them a planet in th tohealth is to bequea them a planet in good health. [applause] climategeon the young activist, greta thunberg, has faced criticism. Those who curdle insults at her should take a long hard look at themselves those who throw insults at her should take a long, hard look at themselves. [applause] ms. Sturgeon yes, her message can be uncomfortable for political leaders, but she is absolutely right to challenge us to do more, and so the millions of people around the world who are campaigning alongside her, we thank them for it. [applause] the urgency and global scale of the Climate Emergency means we must work and show what we are capable of. Scotland will lead the way. We are ready, a world leader in Renewable Energy and resources, and this venue is an example of that. Hydrogen fuel cells are powering the hall in which we are gathered. We are ready. [applause] already have we our Greenhouse Gas emissions in half, and we have passed we willion to assure meet our missions goal 2045, years ahead of the rest of the u. K. That is leadership. [applause] ms. Sturgeon from electric cars to electric trains and even electric planes, we are leading the way. Of course, the Climate Emergency demands that there are some new technologies we must say no to. Earlier this month, there is a final policy on unconventional on conventional oil and gas. We consider the conclusion. Our snp will not issue any new licenses for fracking. There will be no fracking in scotland. [applause] ms. Sturgeon you probably heard the phrase think globally, act locally, an idea attributed to patrick, 100 years ago, and it sums up the challenge we face today. Scotland is leaving globally, but we must support local action, too. We are investing 500 Million Pounds in new bus infrastructure to make them faster, greener, and more convenient, more people to walk and cycle more, too, adjusting our Carbon Footprint and improving our health. New investment for local projects the length and breadth of our nation, a fund of 27 Million Pounds to support more than 200 schemes to make it easier for people to cycle and to walk. That is acting locally as we lead globally in tackling the Climate Emergency. [applause] ms. Sturgeon we are taking steps to tackle inequality also. The social Security System should be there to narrow the gap between rich and poor. The tory welfare policy is widening that gap. Had families have already their income cut by the universal cut to the child limit. Will have been pushed into poverty. Contrast that with the work of our scottish government. We are introducing the new scottish child limit. Childas been done by the action group called an achievement by the child action group. Implemented, more than 400,000 children will benefit, and let me [applause] ms. Sturgeon let me be Crystal Clear about this. The scottish child payments will have no twochild cap and no horrid holds. [applause] ms. Sturgeon for instance, there is the difference between the tories and the snp in a nutshell. They push children into poverty. Up. Snp lifts them [applause] ms. Sturgeon we know that injustice extends beyond financial inequality. We have a responsibility to help all of those who are vulnerable. We have already taken steps to take protect women in ghettos from abuse. Scotland has led the way with groundbreaking legislation that criminalizes psychological as well as criminal abuse, but organizations have told us to go further. Realityto change the that the women and the children, often the only way to escape an abuser is to flee their home. For too many, that results in the victims of abuse becoming homeless. This parliamentary term, we will introduce a new law to establish emergency protective orders. For instance, it should not be the victims of abuse who lose the homes. It should be the perpetrators, and these orders will make that happen. [applause] ms. Sturgeon further, up and down our country every day, our fellow citizens are cared for by our National Health service, and hospitals, health centers, and areeoples own homes, many hard at work. Let us thank them for all that they do. [applause] in keeping with the founding principle of the theth service, free at point of need. You know, free personal care was one of the proudest achievements of the early days of devolution, and in april this year, our snp government extended it to everyone who needs it, regardless of age. [applause] the principle behind the personal care is the same as free health care. If you need help, you should get it, but despite that principle, many people still have to pay for nonresidential social care services. I know from my own constituents that charges can be a real barrier to people accessing the support they need, and if they cannot get that support in their own homes, they are more likely to end up in hospital, so today, i make this pledge. If i am reelected as first minister in the elections, and over the next parliament, the snp will scrap nonresidential social care charges for everyone. [applause] ms. Sturgeon when i became first miniature, i set my government a clear priority, education, and there is no policy more transformational and with more potential to lead in the years to come than the expansion of Early Learning and childcare. Next year, we will have more than doubled the hours that children receive. They will benefit from 30 hours education,a week of and it was say families 4. 5 thousand pounds a year for each child. Is worth more than any tax cut, any tory government is ever going to deliver more than any tax cut any tory government is ever going to deliver. [applause] ms. Sturgeon but we will not stop there. There consulting already on next phase of our expansion. We will have more to say on this in the months to come, but i am making one important commitment today. If the snp is returned to government after the next election, we will expand childcare into the skilled holidays for primary pupils. [applause] ms. Sturgeon still, days of high quality childcare, helping them to lift their families out of poverty. Confidence, we are building confidence, and the power of decisionmaking, to change lives here in scotland. In government, we put our ideals and our values into practice, and we do so for everyone who lives in scotland, no matter where they come from. [applause] 3 ms. Sturgeon ms. Sturgeon we believe in equal rights. That is why we have a new law to extend the right to vote in scotland to citizens of all nationalities legally resident here, to, everyone. [applause] to every Single Person who chooses to make our country their home, my message is this. You are welcome here. We value you. With all of our hearts, we want you to stay, and you have as much right to vote in our countrys elections as anyone else does. [applause] ms. Sturgeon that is a demonstration of the kind of country we are seeking to build, an independent scotland that will be a voice that builds and champions diversity. Camp forl be no migrants in an independent scotland. [applause] ms. Sturgeon and the snp will always speak up without fear or favor to democracy and human rights. [applause] as first minister, i understand only too well the importance of the rule of law and of standing up for it in these troubled times, but any law, any law, that sends politicians to prison for organizing a vote is a law that surely needs to change. [applause] ms. Sturgeon the politicians and activists given prison sentences yesterday in catalonia by a spanish court, they are peaceful campaigners for the right of selfdetermination, just like we are. I cannot imagine what they and their families are going through, but i do ask you to join me today and sending them our support and our solidarity. [applause] [applause] ms. Sturgeon it is time for scotland to choose our own future. It is time to reclaim our independence. You, but iow about am utterly with westminster. [applause] and sick of brexi t. [applause] hadsturgeon and i have more than enough of people like while lording it over us, lounging across the benches of the house of commons as if he owns the place. Actually, come to think of it, he probably actually does own the place. [laughter] the people of scotland are seeing this for all that it is, a broken political system, which imposes on scotland time and again governments that we do not vote for. That system is unsustainable, and its time is coming to an end. Its time is coming to an end. [applause] ms. Sturgeon and what will we build in its place . Remember the to lifeaffirming days in the late summer of 2014, days when anything seemed possible, with the dream of working in a better nation with more than just the work of a poet, and now capture that spirit as we move forward in the future. The contribution to Human Progress is immeasurable, but perhaps, our greatest contribution will be this, a new country, founded on hope and a vision of shared humanity and compassion, a light in a world that seems dark. Is our irish historian, dudley edwards, i had discovered i had become scottish long before i arrived here. To become scottish was to enter the world of scottish imagination, to be thought and told that you are welcome and to make yourself at home. What is that idea of being home . A feeling of being safe, secure, and loved, a place where everyones ideas and talents can thrive, a place of comfort, a home for laughter and joy, for everyone who comes here, no matter where you are from. That is the scotland we are seeking to build. [applause] ms. Sturgeon friends, these are turbulent times. None of us have known anything like it, but we do have guiding lights to chart our way, our spirit, our values, our vision, our commitment to democracy, and our unshakable belief in the abilities and the wisdom of the scottish people. To play scotlands future in scotlands hands. Future ine scotlands scotlands hands. [applause] ms. Sturgeon to take our own decisions and chart our own course. It is time to play our part in building a biddle better world. Friends, in the immortal worlds of robert burns words of robin burns, it is all that. The world is waiting for us. Independence. [applause] [cheers and applause] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2019] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause] announcer cspans washington journal, live every day with news that impacts you. Coming up wednesday morning, we are taking your calls and getting your reaction to the fourth democratic debate, and then talking that President Trump and the impeachment inquiry, and from the institute of the study of war, a guest would join us discussing the impact of the u. S. Withdrawal from syria. Also, a connecticut congressman shares the latest on the house mpeachment inquiry. Watch washington Journal Wednesday morning. Join the discussion. Announcer our cspan 2020 bus is visiting key battleground states in the 2020 president ial race, asking voters what issues they what addressed during the campaign. All of the candidates should focus on funding for universities, and in the recent years, they have not had as much attention given to them as they should, regarding funding, programs for some of our programs, so i would like to see how we could increase funding for those programs. That is definitely an important issue to me. I want to be candidates to tell me as well as to tell the electorate how they are going to fix this countrys Budgeting Issues in order to ensure that we will have the money to Fund Programs for generations instead of just leaving a mess for future generations to inherit and have to figure out down the line. I want president ial candidates to focus on gun control, climate change, abortion, womens reproductive rights, and the most pressing issue to me is the student loan crisis and just how it is crippling my generation. The current career i am interested in, it is not my passion. I am doing it strictly for job security and hope that maybe one day i can have a house, and i do not think that the powers that be are really looking at how much this is going to cripple our generation. Everything that is going to be a major financial decision in the next 20 years of my life is going to be affected. Announcer voices from the campaign trail, following credit caucus meeting, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and chair adam schiff gave an News Conference on the impeachment of President Trump. Here are their remarks