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Scottish ministers 'back Sturgeon as next first minister' | Scottish ministers 'back Sturgeon as next first minister' |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Almost every member of the Scottish cabinet has publicly backed Alex Salmond's deputy, Nicola Sturgeon, to replace him as SNP leader and first minister. | |
Ms Sturgeon has yet to formally throw her hat into the ring. | Ms Sturgeon has yet to formally throw her hat into the ring. |
But on Friday she said she could think of "no greater privilege" than to seek the leadership. | But on Friday she said she could think of "no greater privilege" than to seek the leadership. |
Pundits and bookmakers have tipped her as the clear favourite, although as yet there are no declared challengers. | |
If she does stand, no fewer than seven cabinet ministers have already pledged their support. | |
Finance Secretary John Swinney, who is a former SNP leader, said Ms Sturgeon would be an "excellent successor". | Finance Secretary John Swinney, who is a former SNP leader, said Ms Sturgeon would be an "excellent successor". |
Analysis, Glenn Campbell, BBC Scotland News | |
Whether it's by coronation or contest, no-one seems to doubt that Nicola Sturgeon will be the next leader of the SNP and the next first minister of Scotland. | |
She will be the first woman to hold either post. | |
That's why the finance secretary, John Swinney, talked about glass ceilings being smashed when he endorsed Ms Sturgeon on Radio Scotland this morning. | |
Assuming no changes at the top in the other Holyrood parties, the leaders of the three largest political outfits will all be female from mid-November. | |
I'm not sure there are many, if any, other parliaments on the planet where that's the case. | |
At question time on the 19th, it likely to be Labour's Johann Lamont and the Conservatives' Ruth Davidson taking on first minister Nicola Sturgeon. | |
"I am encouraging Nicola to stand," he said. "I think she has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities over the last 10 years as deputy leader of the party. | |
"I think she has all the attributes and strength required to take our party and our country forward," he said. | "I think she has all the attributes and strength required to take our party and our country forward," he said. |
'Fantastic leader' | 'Fantastic leader' |
Education Secretary Michael Russell, who stood against Alex Salmond in 2004, has ruled himself out as a candidate this time. | Education Secretary Michael Russell, who stood against Alex Salmond in 2004, has ruled himself out as a candidate this time. |
"I will not be standing and I will offer my support to Nicola Sturgeon if she stands," he said. | "I will not be standing and I will offer my support to Nicola Sturgeon if she stands," he said. |
The health secretary, Alex Neil, has told the Scotland on Sunday newspaper that he is not standing. | |
"I will support Nicola," he said. "I think it is time we had a woman first minister. She is absolutely the right person for the job to succeed." | |
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill gave his backing to Ms Sturgeon, while Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said he expected the Glasgow Southside MSP to secure the SNP's top job. | Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill gave his backing to Ms Sturgeon, while Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said he expected the Glasgow Southside MSP to secure the SNP's top job. |
"Nicola Sturgeon is popular throughout the country and is clearly the frontrunner," he said. | "Nicola Sturgeon is popular throughout the country and is clearly the frontrunner," he said. |
The culture secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said: "I have always known Nicola would be an outstanding leader of the SNP at some point and her time is now." | |
Shona Robison, cabinet secretary for the Commonwealth Games and sport, endorsed her "lifelong friend". | |
"She'd make a fantastic leader and first minister and she would have my full support" she said. | "She'd make a fantastic leader and first minister and she would have my full support" she said. |
The Employment Secretary Angela Constance were not available for comment. | |
Mr Salmond has decided not to formally endorse anyone as his successor. | Mr Salmond has decided not to formally endorse anyone as his successor. |
In his resignation statement, he said there are a "number of eminently qualified and very suitable candidates". | In his resignation statement, he said there are a "number of eminently qualified and very suitable candidates". |
If Ms Sturgeon becomes leader, that would trigger a contest for the deputy leadership of the SNP. | If Ms Sturgeon becomes leader, that would trigger a contest for the deputy leadership of the SNP. |
One cabinet member suggested John Swinney for the job - but he has made clear that he will not stand for any party position. | One cabinet member suggested John Swinney for the job - but he has made clear that he will not stand for any party position. |
It would still be possible for him to be appointed deputy first minister by whoever succeeds Mr Salmond. | It would still be possible for him to be appointed deputy first minister by whoever succeeds Mr Salmond. |
Some in the party think that the new deputy should be an MP because the referendum has shifted much of the debate over Holyrood's powers to Westminster. | Some in the party think that the new deputy should be an MP because the referendum has shifted much of the debate over Holyrood's powers to Westminster. |
Others have tipped MSPs Humza Yousaf, Derek Mackay, Richard Lochhead, Shona Robison and Angela Constance, who are all Scottish government ministers. | Others have tipped MSPs Humza Yousaf, Derek Mackay, Richard Lochhead, Shona Robison and Angela Constance, who are all Scottish government ministers. |
Open nominations | |
The SNP is expected to open nominations for the post of leader in the coming days, with potential candidates likely to have three weeks to declare. | The SNP is expected to open nominations for the post of leader in the coming days, with potential candidates likely to have three weeks to declare. |
There would then be a postal ballot of all party members to decide the winner. | There would then be a postal ballot of all party members to decide the winner. |
If Ms Sturgeon stands, a deputy leadership contest would probably run at the same time. | If Ms Sturgeon stands, a deputy leadership contest would probably run at the same time. |
Mr Salmond will hand over to his successor at the party conference in Perth, which meets from 13 November. | Mr Salmond will hand over to his successor at the party conference in Perth, which meets from 13 November. |
He will stand down as first minister the following week. | He will stand down as first minister the following week. |
Assuming his successor as SNP leader is an MSP, they would replace him as head of the Scottish government, subject to winning a vote in parliament. | Assuming his successor as SNP leader is an MSP, they would replace him as head of the Scottish government, subject to winning a vote in parliament. |
That should be a formality as the SNP have a majority of the seats in the Scottish Parliament. | That should be a formality as the SNP have a majority of the seats in the Scottish Parliament. |
The new leadership team will have to decide what strategy the SNP should pursue after the referendum defeat. | The new leadership team will have to decide what strategy the SNP should pursue after the referendum defeat. |
That will include considering whether or not to revise Alex Salmond's view that a vote on independence can only be held "once in a generation". | That will include considering whether or not to revise Alex Salmond's view that a vote on independence can only be held "once in a generation". |
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