Amanda Akass

Political Correspondent @SkyNews | Formerly @bbcsoutheast @bbcnews | Sounds like ‘ACAS’ | [email protected]

[Amanda Akass @amandaakass]

On the final day of the SNP’s conference leader John Swinney confidently told delegates independence is “very very close”- but with Westminster so implacably against a second referendum, there’s no real plan to get there… Our film for @SkyNews with @ryancapperauld & @bobsfilms

[Sky News @SkyNews]

'Scottish independence is very close'

Sky's @amandaakass breaks down John Swinney's speech at the SNP conference. Swinney told the crowd: 'The stars are aligning in our favour'

Read more: https://t.co/AticwnRqUX

[Amanda Akass @amandaakass]

“Independence is very very close… let us seize this moment… let us choose Scotland, let us choose independence”. Big cheers for John Swinney at the end of his optimistic, personal speech @SkyNews

[Amanda Akass @amandaakass]

The first minister tells conference what motivates his heart to fight for independence is his son- he wants to leave Scotland a better place for him

[Amanda Akass @amandaakass]

First Minister John Swinney takes to the stage in Aberdeen - telling delegates the SNP didn’t just win in May, they knocked it out of the park. He says they proved again the SNP is Scotland’s party of government, and his MSPs are ready to move forward to independence

[Amanda Akass @amandaakass]

Swinney says “nuclear weapons have never been so obsolete… but miles and miles of Scotland’s coastline are left dangerously exposed.” He says people voted against independence on the basis of pensions defence and EU membership in 2014- all that has changed

[Amanda Akass @amandaakass]

He claims abolishing the triple lock is the politics of despair - “they used to tell us things would only get better, now they are telling us things can only get worse”

[Amanda Akass @amandaakass]

An even bigger cheer for John Swinney’s Burnhamesque announcement about buses coming under public control and a £2 cap on bus journeys in Aberdeen and the North East

[Amanda Akass @amandaakass]

Overwhelming enthusiasm for the EU at the SNP conference- and the SNP believe Andy Burnham’s decision to reopen the Brexit debate fuels their calls for a second independence referendum. But how damaging to the cause would improved EU/UK relations be?

[Amanda Akass @amandaakass]

The SNP leaning in to Andy Burnham’s provocative appearance in Scotland yesterday and issuing him a conference pass

[Amanda Akass @amandaakass]

There’s an excellent brainstorming board at SNP conference asking delegates what they’d like from an independent Scotland- most responses are very sensible but a couple are on the interesting side #squirrelliberation #morewhisky 🐿️ 🥃 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[Sky News @SkyNews]

Speaking during a trip to Scotland, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was making a "serious and genuine offer" to the Scottish government to work together on devolving power.

Sky's @AmandaAkass reports.

Read more: https://t.co/tmJeFULcCi

[Ridge & Frost @RidgeandFrost]

🗣️ "We're living rent-free in Andy Burnham's head"

On devolution, @StephenFlynnSNP says, 'if PM wants to push power out of Westminster, give Scottish people the choice to decide their own future with an independence Referendum.' ⬇️

[Amanda Akass @amandaakass]

Our report from Aberdeen on the city’s changing economy as the SNP debate their changeable energy policy- with thousands of local jobs lost in oil and gas and questions about the pace of the transition to a new technological future- with @ryancapperauld and @bobsfilms

[Sky News @SkyNews]

Aberdeen's fate hangs in the balance as parties including the SNP weigh drilling for North Sea oil and gas against net zero policies.

Sky's @amandaakass reports.

🔗 https://t.co/f90lgNnVYm

[Sky News @SkyNews]

Andy Burnham's decision to travel to Scotland during the SNP party conference is a "sign of how important Scotland and the future of the union" is to the prime minister, says Sky's @AmandaAkass, reporting from Aberdeen.

https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3

📺 Sky 501

[Amanda Akass @amandaakass]

Opening the SNP Conference Stephen Flynn MSP tells delegates “we will never shy away from the battle to secure independence” and asks why should Andy Burnham want to return to the debate over Brexit- but not Scottish independence @SkyNews