John Swinney declares the independence referendum campaign 'has already begun' and claims the 'stars are aligning'

The SNP will spend a 'six-figure war chest' on a new push called Choose Scotland, which First Minister John Swinney billed as its 'most sophisticated campaign in history'. He told the Aberdeen conference that unionist parties at Westminster are 'weaker than they have ever been'. The SNP failed to win the majority he set in May. Senior figures now see a hung Westminster parliament as their route to a vote.

Swinney said every first minister in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast backs self-determination.

He told members: 'The SNP is making the weather.'

The day before, Andy Burnham urged Scotland to 'move beyond the old politics of conflict'.