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Salmond elected as first minister | Salmond elected as first minister |
(10 minutes later) | |
Alex Salmond has made political history after becoming the first Nationalist to be elected first minister of Scotland. | Alex Salmond has made political history after becoming the first Nationalist to be elected first minister of Scotland. |
The SNP leader was voted into office in parliament by 49 votes to 46, after he was supported by the Greens. The Lib Dems and the Conservatives abstained. | The SNP leader was voted into office in parliament by 49 votes to 46, after he was supported by the Greens. The Lib Dems and the Conservatives abstained. |
He will head the first minority administration since devolution. | He will head the first minority administration since devolution. |
Mr Salmond promised to govern in the interests of all the people of Scotland and said he would seek parliament's approval "policy by policy". | Mr Salmond promised to govern in the interests of all the people of Scotland and said he would seek parliament's approval "policy by policy". |
We're a small nation but we've got a big future Alex Salmond Send us your views In quotes: Reaction Victory speech in full class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6662031.stm">In pictures: First minister | |
The Scottish Parliament election almost two weeks ago saw the SNP win 47 seats, just one ahead of Scottish Labour, while the Scots Liberal Democrats were left with 16. | The Scottish Parliament election almost two weeks ago saw the SNP win 47 seats, just one ahead of Scottish Labour, while the Scots Liberal Democrats were left with 16. |
The Scottish Conservatives have 17 MSPs, although one of their number, Alex Fergusson, has taken up the politically neutral job of presiding officer. | The Scottish Conservatives have 17 MSPs, although one of their number, Alex Fergusson, has taken up the politically neutral job of presiding officer. |
The Scottish Greens have two MSPs and the colourful Independent Margo MacDonald, who abstained from the first minister vote altogether, was also re-elected. | The Scottish Greens have two MSPs and the colourful Independent Margo MacDonald, who abstained from the first minister vote altogether, was also re-elected. |
Mr Salmond was voted first minister after seeing off a final challenge from Scottish Labour leader Jack McConnell. | Mr Salmond was voted first minister after seeing off a final challenge from Scottish Labour leader Jack McConnell. |
He became the first Nationalist to win power in the party's 73-year history. | He became the first Nationalist to win power in the party's 73-year history. |
His election was greeted with applause and cheering in the Scottish Parliament chamber. | His election was greeted with applause and cheering in the Scottish Parliament chamber. |
Mr Salmond described Holyrood as a "parliament of minorities", but denied claims that Scotland had become a divided nation. | Mr Salmond described Holyrood as a "parliament of minorities", but denied claims that Scotland had become a divided nation. |
"I believe Scotland is ready for change, ready for reform," he told MSPs | "I believe Scotland is ready for change, ready for reform," he told MSPs |
"We're a small nation but we've got a big future." | "We're a small nation but we've got a big future." |
Mr McConnell, the former first minister, congratulated Mr Salmond on his victory and said he would be proud to lead the largest opposition party the Scottish Parliament has ever had. | Mr McConnell, the former first minister, congratulated Mr Salmond on his victory and said he would be proud to lead the largest opposition party the Scottish Parliament has ever had. |
He promised that Labour would not oppose for its own sake, but he also delivered a warning to his successor. | He promised that Labour would not oppose for its own sake, but he also delivered a warning to his successor. |
Former first minister Jack McConnell congratulated Mr Salmond | Former first minister Jack McConnell congratulated Mr Salmond |
"Voltaire once said that governments need both shepherds and butchers and I think Alex may need to be more of a shepherd than a butcher in his new role, looking around this flock here and trying to secure majorities for his policies," said Mr McConnell. | "Voltaire once said that governments need both shepherds and butchers and I think Alex may need to be more of a shepherd than a butcher in his new role, looking around this flock here and trying to secure majorities for his policies," said Mr McConnell. |
Mr Salmond said he would now go forward in a minority administration by appealing for support "policy by policy" across the chamber. | Mr Salmond said he would now go forward in a minority administration by appealing for support "policy by policy" across the chamber. |
This will make it difficult for the SNP to achieve one of its main goals of holding a referendum on Scottish independence. | This will make it difficult for the SNP to achieve one of its main goals of holding a referendum on Scottish independence. |
He added: "In this century there are limits to what governments can achieve. But one thing any government I lead will never lack is ambition for Scotland." | He added: "In this century there are limits to what governments can achieve. But one thing any government I lead will never lack is ambition for Scotland." |
Mr Salmond is also expected to confirm a shake-up, cutting the number of departments from nine to six and obliging ministers and civil servants to work towards several key aims, including making Scotland healthier, wealthier and safer. | Mr Salmond is also expected to confirm a shake-up, cutting the number of departments from nine to six and obliging ministers and civil servants to work towards several key aims, including making Scotland healthier, wealthier and safer. |