SNP faithful gather at conference

SNP leader Alex Salmond will say the next two years are vital for the party

SNP leader Alex Salmond will open his party's annual conference in Perth later in a bullish mood.

The first minister will tell delegates he is confident the Glenrothes by-election will join Glasgow East as a stunning SNP victory.

He will say that the SNP is becoming increasingly the natural choice for voters all over Scotland.

Mr Salmond will tell the conference the next two years will be the most important in the history of the party.

A victory in Glenrothes on 6 November will put them well on their way to the target of 20 MPs at the next Westminster election, Mr Salmond will say.

He will say that his ruling administration at Holyrood will continue its "can do" approach to government.

Its six point plan to help householders and businesses through the current economic downturn will be cited as an example of how it is attempting to do all it can within the devolved framework.

Mr Salmond will encourage his party to continue on to win an independence referendum in 2010.