It is entirely fitting, and necessary, that Nicola Sturgeon restate the SNP's role as the political arm of Scotland's independence movement, even as she seeks a strengthened mandate from the people of Scotland as the party of government. It is necessary because there are powerful political forces ranged against us which would seek to deny Scotland's democratic right of self-determination. Forces which must be opposed. Forces which must be thwarted. It is fitting on account of the nature of the cause that we pursue. What we seek for Scotland is no more than that status and those powers which other nations assume to be theirs by right. Our aim is to rectify a historical anomaly which unjustifiably obstructs the people of Scotland in the exercise of their sovereignty. We wish to rid ourselves of the irksome anachronism of a political union forged in another age and for purposes that never had anything to do with the needs, aspirations, and priorities of the people of these islands. We are determined to correct the constitutional injustice of an asymmetric union which denies the people of Scotland the form of government they vote for and imposes policies that are anathema to them. We hope, by abolishing this clearly dysfunctional union, to forge a new relationship with our neighbours based on equality of status and mutual respect. Such a worthy project does not yield to temporary obstacles. Such worthy ambition is not deterred by even the most vicious opposition. Such hope is not easily crushed. Such determination will not be denied. Independence! Nothing less!