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Salmond criticises UK Parliament Salmond criticises UK Parliament
(about 5 hours later)
The SNP leader Alex Salmond is marking his final day as an MP with a damning criticism of the House of Commons.The SNP leader Alex Salmond is marking his final day as an MP with a damning criticism of the House of Commons.
Mr Salmond, who was first elected 23 years ago, says parliament has suffered "an extraordinary decline". Mr Salmond, who is standing down as an MP after 23 years, says parliament has suffered "an extraordinary decline".
During campaigning the Liberal Democrats will say they are the true alternative to Labour in Scotland. In a video released to mark his departure Scotland's first minister said the reputation of the House had "never been lower".
Labour will be arguing for free entry to football matches for children while the Scottish Conservatives will unveil a new election poster. He likened the standing of the House of Commons to the final days of the last Tory government in the 1990s.
In a video released to mark his departure from Westminster after 23 years, Scotland's first minister said the reputation of the House had "never been lower".
He likened the standing of the House of Commons, rocked by the Parliamentary expenses scandal last year, to the final days of the last Tory government in the 1990s.
The reputation of the House of Commons has never been lower Alex SalmondScotland's First Minister
Mr Salmond is due to step down as MP for Banff and Buchan on Monday.Mr Salmond is due to step down as MP for Banff and Buchan on Monday.
In the broadcast, posted on YouTube, Mr Salmond said: "The folk of Banff and Buchan are great and they will always be great. But Westminster has declined in an extraordinary fashion over the last two decades.In the broadcast, posted on YouTube, Mr Salmond said: "The folk of Banff and Buchan are great and they will always be great. But Westminster has declined in an extraordinary fashion over the last two decades.
The reputation of the House of Commons has never been lower Alex SalmondScotland's First Minister
"When I went there at first, when you went into the chamber of the House of Commons there were folk worth listening to. You get none of that now, none of it at all."When I went there at first, when you went into the chamber of the House of Commons there were folk worth listening to. You get none of that now, none of it at all.
"But even more seriously, the reputation of the House of Commons has never been lower. It is like the 90s and John Major and all that back to basics stuff amplified 10 times over.""But even more seriously, the reputation of the House of Commons has never been lower. It is like the 90s and John Major and all that back to basics stuff amplified 10 times over."
A Conservative Party spokesman accused Mr Salmond of hypocrisy.
"He needs to come clean about the tens of thousands of pounds he is going to claim from the taxpayer to step down as an MP," he said. "His £65,000 "Golden Goodbye" is not automatic as has been suggested. Commons rules say he has to apply for it.
"I think Alex Salmond has misread the public mood. Trust in politics is at an all-time low and our leaders need to act responsibly, not cash in at the taxpayers' expense."
Q&A sessions
Mr Salmond also announced that he is to take part in a series of question and answer sessions with voters across the country, instead of taking part in the national televised leaders' debate.Mr Salmond also announced that he is to take part in a series of question and answer sessions with voters across the country, instead of taking part in the national televised leaders' debate.
The first minister was excluded from taking part in the debates with Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg in the run-up to the general election on 6 May.The first minister was excluded from taking part in the debates with Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg in the run-up to the general election on 6 May.
Instead, he will appear in town hall meetings to meet voters in key Scottish constituencies.Instead, he will appear in town hall meetings to meet voters in key Scottish constituencies.
He said the meetings, hosted by Scottish actress and comedienne Elaine C Smith, were the "ideal opportunity to speak to real people in real communities".He said the meetings, hosted by Scottish actress and comedienne Elaine C Smith, were the "ideal opportunity to speak to real people in real communities".
They will take place over the course of the general election campaign in Gordon, Livingston, Dundee and Glasgow.They will take place over the course of the general election campaign in Gordon, Livingston, Dundee and Glasgow.