Nicola Sturgeon tells English: move to Scotland if you don’t like Brexit Britons who are angry about the Brexit vote and the way it is being handled by the Government should move […]

Britons who are angry about the Brexit vote and the way it is being handled by the Government should move to Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

In what she described as an “open invitation” to people living in other parts of the UK, the Scottish First Minister said people who believe in a “progressive” and “compassionate” country would be welcome to move north of the border.

“If you are as appalled as we are at the path this Westminster government is taking, come and join us” The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. Nicola Sturgeon

If Scotland embraces independence and retains membership of the single market it could become a “magnet” for talented people across the UK, the SNP leader said in her closing address to the party’s spring conference in Aberdeen.

Joking that she had received “loads of messages” from people living in other parts of Britain since the EU referendum saying they were keen to move to Scotland, Ms Sturgeon stressed they would be welcome.

“The UK is about to turn its back on membership of the world’s biggest single market.

“Imagine what will happen if Scotland chooses to stay – we will become a magnet for talent and investment from all across the UK,” she said.

“So let me issue this open invitation today. Scotland isn’t full up.

“If you are as appalled as we are at the path this Westminster government is taking, come and join us.

“Come here to live, work, invest or study. Come to Scotland – and be part of building a modern, progressive, outward-looking, compassionate country.”

Second referendum

Her appeal came at the end of the week in which she announced plans for a second referendum on Scottish independence, which the SNP hopes to hold before the UK leaves the EU.

Theresa May has since said the Government will not give Scotland permission to stage a legally-binding vote until after Brexit – an approach that is likely to delay a referendum until 2020 or later.

Striking a defiant tone, Ms Sturgeon told delegates she would press ahead with her plans regardless, with the aim of securing a vote after the terms of Brexit are clear but before the UK has left the EU.

On Friday the SNP leader repeatedly refused to rule out holding an unofficial vote on Scotland’s future if Mrs May does not give her permission.

“There will be an independence referendum,” she told delegates to wild cheers.

Ms Sturgeon also spoke of her hopes for any future referendum campaign, telling supporters that the SNP would have to “speak frankly” about the challenges facing the Scottish economy if it hoped to win over the doubters.

Warning members to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner, she said they should not resort to insulting the other side.

“We all want the best for our country – we just have different views on how to achieve it,” she said.

“Let us resolve to argue our case with passion and commitment, yes, but – at all times – with courtesy, understanding and respect.”