The SNP will work to "persuade a majority" to back independence in the next parliament, party leader Nicola Sturgeon has pledged.

At the launch of her party's manifesto, Sturgeon reaffirmed her commitment to build support for independence and a second referendum.

She said "when" the initiative succeeds then "no politician will have the right" to block a second referendum.

Sturgeon said: "Friends, there is not a single day goes by that I am not asked if there will be a second independence referendum in the next parliament.

"Well, my answer to that, in one sense, is very simple - I would like that very much. I believe with all my heart that independence is the best future for our country.

"But if there is to be a second referendum, whether that is in the next parliament or in a future parliament, we first have to earn the right to propose it.

"Setting the date for a referendum before a majority of the Scottish people have been persuaded that independence - and therefore another referendum - is the best future for our country is the wrong way round.

She added: "So this summer, we will start new work to persuade a majority in Scotland of that case for independence. If we don't succeed, we won't have earned the right to propose another referendum.

"But if we do succeed - when we do succeed - if in the future there is clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people then no politician will have the right to stand in the way."

The manifesto launch also contained a pledge to increase NHS Scotland's budget by £500m more than inflation by the end of the next parliament.

Sturgeon said: "We have already pledged - and planned - to protect the NHS budget in real terms in every year of the next parliament.

"However, by making the decision not to give higher rate taxpayers the tax cut proposed by the Tories, we are able to go further.

"I can confirm today that a re-elected SNP government will, by the end of the next parliament, increase investment in the NHS by £500m more than inflation

"This pledge of above inflation investment is a clear sign of our commitment to our most cherished public service."

Scotland's new powers also formed a significant part of the manifesto. The SNP pledged to freeze income tax rates and to raise the tax free personal allowance to £12,500 by 2021/22.

The party claims its income tax plans as a whole will generate "additional revenue of at least £1.2bn".

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