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Scottish referendum: Keith Brown and Stewart Hosie launch SNP deputy bids | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The SNP's Keith Brown has become the first person to put his name forward for the deputy leadership of the party. | |
The Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP announced his candidacy at the National Poetry Library in Edinburgh. | |
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie is also set to announce he is seeking the deputy role, held by Nicola Sturgeon for 10 years. | |
So far, Ms Sturgeon is the only candidate seeking to take on the party leadership from Alex Salmond. | |
But there will be a contest for the deputy leadership. | |
Mr Brown is the Scottish government transport minister and a former Royal Marine. Mr Hosie is the SNP's Treasury spokesman at Westminster. | |
Mr Hosie wants to keep the "Yes" movement together to maximise the extra powers that come to Holyrood. | Mr Hosie wants to keep the "Yes" movement together to maximise the extra powers that come to Holyrood. |
Mr Brown's priority would be to give "focus and purpose" to the rapidly growing membership of the SNP. | Mr Brown's priority would be to give "focus and purpose" to the rapidly growing membership of the SNP. |
Membership rise | Membership rise |
In the six days since the referendum concluded in a vote against independence, the SNP membership has been swollen by Yes campaigners, rising from about 25,000 to just over 60,000. | In the six days since the referendum concluded in a vote against independence, the SNP membership has been swollen by Yes campaigners, rising from about 25,000 to just over 60,000. |
Its membership is the largest for a political party in Scotland and the third largest in the UK, having overtaken the figure for the Liberal Democrats UK-wide earlier this week. | Its membership is the largest for a political party in Scotland and the third largest in the UK, having overtaken the figure for the Liberal Democrats UK-wide earlier this week. |
Confirming her leadership bid on Wednesday, Ms Sturgeon said the country could only become independent if the electorate backed the move in a referendum. | Confirming her leadership bid on Wednesday, Ms Sturgeon said the country could only become independent if the electorate backed the move in a referendum. |
But she did not rule out the possibility of the SNP including a commitment to hold a second referendum in a future election manifesto. | But she did not rule out the possibility of the SNP including a commitment to hold a second referendum in a future election manifesto. |
As SNP leader Ms Sturgeon would become Scotland's first minister, the first women to hold the post. | As SNP leader Ms Sturgeon would become Scotland's first minister, the first women to hold the post. |
She said: "To be the first minister of my country, especially at this exciting and optimistic time, would be both a great honour - without doubt, the greatest honour - and an immense responsibility. | She said: "To be the first minister of my country, especially at this exciting and optimistic time, would be both a great honour - without doubt, the greatest honour - and an immense responsibility. |
"I am putting myself forward for two simple reasons: I want to serve my party and my country. And I believe I am the best person for the job. | "I am putting myself forward for two simple reasons: I want to serve my party and my country. And I believe I am the best person for the job. |
"I also hope that my candidacy, should it succeed, will send a strong message to every girl and young woman in Scotland - no matter your background or what you want to achieve in life, in Scotland in 2014 there is no glass ceiling on ambition." | "I also hope that my candidacy, should it succeed, will send a strong message to every girl and young woman in Scotland - no matter your background or what you want to achieve in life, in Scotland in 2014 there is no glass ceiling on ambition." |
Other candidates may emerge for the leadership roles. | Other candidates may emerge for the leadership roles. |
Nominations remain open for three weeks. | Nominations remain open for three weeks. |