There was a more obvious dig at the prime minister, who visited Motherwell this week to promote regional devolution within Scotland and drew on his experience as mayor of Greater Manchester.

Again, without mentioning Andy Burnham by name, the first minister said: “Some think we should just be like Manchester. Well, I’m afraid I disagree.

“Scotland is no city. We are no region. We are a nation and soon we will be an independent nation.”

That went down well in the conference hall – even if the first minister is perfectly prepared to work with the prime minister on plans to create a regional level of government in Scotland, with powers transferred from both Westminster and Holyrood.

Swinney also claimed that independence is “very close” in the full knowledge that there will not be another referendum unless there is a sustained surge in public support for Scottish statehood.