She said Scotland must consider its response to seismic changes in British politics.

Nicola Sturgeon: First Minister spoke in Stirling (file pic). Andrew Milligan/ PA Wire/ PA Images

Seismic changes in British politics mean it is now time for a new debate on Scotland's future, Nicola Sturgeon said.

The First Minister argued that Brexit, Labour infighting and the prospect of decades of Conservative rule at Westminster highlight a growing divergence between the politics of Scotland and those of Westminster.

In a speech in Stirling she launched what the SNP is calling the "biggest political listening exercise" ever undertaken by the party.

She said: "The SNP's job is to act - at all times - in Scotland's best interests.

"But while working in Scotland's interests is a constant for the SNP, this summer we witnessed seismic changes which will have a deep impact on our ambition for this country.

"The UK that existed before June 23 has fundamentally changed. The debate now is whether we should go forward, protecting our place as a European nation or go backwards, under a Tory government with very different priorities.

"And while we will pursue all options to protect our interests, the debate must include an examination of independence in what are profoundly changed circumstances

"To ensure that the voice of everyone in Scotland is heard in these changed times, I am today launching Scotland's biggest ever political listening exercise - a new conversation and a new debate for these new times."

Labour's James Kelly said: "If the SNP were really listening to the people of Scotland they would be focusing on the bread and butter issues that matter to Scots like our public services.

"It is disappointing that, days before laying a legislative agenda before the most powerful Scottish Parliament ever, the SNP are determined to drag us back to the arguments of the past."

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