DEPUTE First Minister John Swinney has urged independence supporters to “keep marching” in the run-up to next referendum.

Writing exclusively in The National, he says that he has “never felt more confident or optimistic” that Scotland will be independent.

Swinney, who took part in last weekend’s All Under One Banner march through Perth said recent polls and conversations with people who voted No in 2014, show that Yes was “winning the argument.”

He added: “It is clear that the catastrophic consequences of Brexit are sharpening in the public mind, as is the reality of life under a dishonest, charlatan Prime Minister in a broken political system which has been shown clearly and emphatically to have failed Scotland.”

Swinney says that after twelve years in power, “conventional political thinking” dictates that there should be “voter fatigue” with the SNP administration in Holyrood.

He says the UK Government are trying “to stop the people of Scotland from re-assessing their choice in the face of five subsequent years of farcical governance.”

Swinney urged the pro-independence movement to “stay active and engaged” in the run-up to Indyref2.

He adds: “Above all, it must continue to make the positive case for an independent Scotland. We must reach outwards and engage those who are not yet persuaded of the benefits of independence.

“Ours is a movement of inclusion – of kindness, respect and tolerance. Of a modern, forward-thinking Scotland that looks outwards to our friends.

“A movement that welcomes all within it, whether they have been believed in the cause for decades or are a recent, even reluctant, convert. Above all, ours is a movement whose time has come. So, keep marching, keep knocking doors and keep

believing, because we are so very close to making our dream of a fairer and more prosperous independent country a reality.”

His call comes as the SNP leadership comes under increasing pressure to hold a referendum on independence sooner rather than later.

Hundreds of SNP activists will be knocking on doors today, as the party moves into general election campaign mode.

In an email to party supporters, the depute leader, Keith Brown said independence would be at the heart of the campaign.

He says this next snap election will be the country’s “biggest opportunity EVER to end Tory rule – once and for all.”

Meanwhile, speaking at the Business for Scotland’s annual dinner, last night, Nicola Sturgeon said Scots deserved better than Boris Johnson’s administration.

The National: Nicola Sturgeon wants better for ScotlandNicola Sturgeon wants better for Scotland

She told diners at the pro-independence group’s fundraising shindig that the country should aim to become an “economic powerhouse” which is a “force for good” in the world.

Sturgeon said: “We are reaching the end of a decade which will be remembered for two Tory obsessions – austerity and Brexit.

“Both of these have been an unmitigated disaster – not just for Scotland, but for the whole of the UK.

“The ideologically driven cuts to Scotland’s budget have choked off the economic recovery and put incredible pressure on our public services.

“And the Brexit referendum, which was cynically designed to heal divisions in the Tory party, has instead brought the UK to its knees.”

She hit out at Prime Minister Boris Johnson over his decision to suspend Parliament in the run-up the UK’s exit from the European Union on October 31– saying that he “appears to have misled the Queen, misled Parliament and misled the country”.

The SNP leader told the industry leaders: “As we reach the end of this decade, let’s all resolve that the next one will not be defined by that which is done to Scotland.

“Instead, let’s resolve that the next decade should be defined by what Scotland can do for the world.

“Let’s resolve to use Scotland’s immense human and natural resources to build a fairer and more prosperous nation – an economic powerhouse which is a force for good both at home and abroad.”