When the big acts play the SECC, they usually leave the crowd-pleasing numbers until the end of the show.

Nicola Sturgeon turned that convention on its head, when within an hour of the SNP conference opening in Glasgow she stepped on the stage and gave the crowd what it wanted to hear.

She told the thousands in front of her she would publish a new Referendum Bill next week.

Cue rapturous applause as she got the crowd to their feet.

In doing so she got the R word out of the way early. There had  been much speculation of how much independence would feature at this year’s conference.

Some want to rush into a second vote as soon as possible, without thinking about the polls or the likelihood of getting 50% on the day.

Others want to wait, see how Brexit pans out, let the Tories make an even bigger mess of things and then go for a re-run.

In announcing the Bill publication, Ms Sturgeon has kept the dream alive for those less patient members and given them something to look forward to.

But how long they will have to wait is unclear.

All that will happen next week is that a Bill will be published. It doesn’t commit to a timescale of when there will be a vote if indeed there actually will be.

It allows Ms Sturgeon to have done the admin tasks and prepared the ground to be able to call one when she decides the time is right.

Some believe she is already running out of time if the aim is to ensure Scotland remains a member of the EU as a continuing state when the UK leaves in early 2019.

The diplomatic circus that could then ensue is mind-boggling.

For Scotland to remain in the EU would likely mean a yes vote before the UK leaves.

The process for Scotland to then apply to remain is not clear and would involve Scottish Government negotiating with the EU and crucially the member states.

At the same time as trying to stay within the EU, Scotland would be negotiating with the UK Government to reach a settlement to leave the UK, which would be lengthy.

All this while the UK Government would still be negotiating a Brexit deal with the EU.

To rush in early before the numbers add up in terms of public opinion could blow the chance again and a third referendum would surely be taking it too far.

Nicola Sturgeon, while knowing the fiasco of leaving the EU presents an opportunity to call a referendum, also knows it doesn’t guarantee the SNP can win it.

She will keep both eyes firmly on the opinion polls and how many people would be persuaded to switch as a result of Brexit.

In announcing the Bill publication she has reassured the indyref2 campaigners she means business but still allows her to keep her options open and watch how Brexit unfolds.