World quotes

If SNP members want to change the way their motions come to conference and who decides on it, I think they are more than capable of making that want known to the powers that be.

We passed at our party council our independence strategy and how we’re going to build that support among the general public to get that bigger majority for independence.

Swinney's at it again. He COULD choose to reduce NHS wait lists, cut taxes and benefits, fix public services, clean the streets, fill the pot-holes, tackle crime etc.

In the spirit of the Prime Minister's public commitment to reset relationships with devolved governments, I have invited the UK Migration Minister to engage with me in constructive discussions to ensure that the immigration system is…

A migration system designed around UK-wide averages – which is what we have now – cannot adequately respond to Scotland's demographic and geographic circumstances.

Mirroring a trend in many countries throughout the world, Scotland has an ageing population and areas where the population is falling. This makes immigration ever-more critical in ensuring we have working-age people to fill skills gaps…

The commission simply can’t function without respect from all communities.

We didn’t create enough prison capacity in the years that they were in government so that we don’t have to be even considering these kinds of options, which – in an ideal world – we would not be having to consider.

We have faced some really difficult and unpalatable choices because of the huge crisis that was left behind in the prisons estate.

Some Scots – especially middle earners – are paying too much tax.

I would have been willing to resign over it.

The debates around the process for independence is a relic of the Sturgeon era.

We have lost definition as to who the Labour Party is.

And I think, 'great, here we are in the third decade of the 21st century it doesn't matter, brilliant'.

Moving people out of hotels into other accommodation and military bases isn't the victory the government is claiming.

We did not choose that trade conflict. We’re just responding to what has been imposed on Canada.

We don’t want any escalation, but at the same time, we have been clear from the get-go we’re going to stand up for Canadian industry, Canadian workers and Canadian businesses.

It was always Ottawa’s plan A to diversify Canadian trade.