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Scottish referendum: Keith Brown and Stewart Hosie launch SNP deputy bids Scottish referendum: Keith Brown and Stewart Hosie to 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. Keith Brown has become the first person to put his name forward as a candidate for the deputy leadership of the SNP.
The Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP announced his candidacy at the National Poetry Library in Edinburgh.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. Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie is also set to announce he is seeking the deputy role, which has been 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. Ms Sturgeon intends to succeed Alex Salmond as SNP leader and Scottish first minister.
But there will be a contest for the deputy leadership. Writing on Twitter, Mr Brown, the Scottish government transport minister and a former Royal Marine, said he was "delighted" to announce his intention to stand, adding: "Looking forward to engaging with all members, existing and new.
Mr Brown is the Scottish government transport minister and a former Royal Marine. Mr Hosie is the SNP's Treasury spokesman at Westminster. He later said his goal was to help the SNP achieve its two founding aims: Scottish independence, and to "further the interests of the people of Scotland".
Mr Hosie wants to keep the "Yes" movement together to maximise the extra powers that come to Holyrood. Greater powers
Mr Brown's priority would be to give "focus and purpose" to the rapidly growing membership of the SNP. Mr Brown added: "Those interests must include the maximisation of the powers we need to address the pressing needs of the people of Scotland: for jobs, for greater equality and life chances, and the social justice that, as in the 1980s, has been so undermined by the austerity agenda."
Membership rise He also pledged to help ensure the three main Westminster parties keep their pre-referendum vow of delivering greater powers to the Scottish Parliament.
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. On the prospect of another referendum, he said: "Any further attempt to ask the people to support independence has to be through the ballot box and through a referendum."
But he added that "in terms of putting a time limit, you can't do that, it really does depend on circumstances and the people".
Mr Brown is expected to be joined in the deputy leadership contest by Mr Hosie, the SNP's Treasury spokesman at Westminster, who said he wanted to keep the "Yes" movement together to maximise the extra powers that come to Holyrood.
In the six days since the referendum ended with voters rejecting independence, the SNP membership has been swollen by "Yes" campaigners, rising from about 25,000 to more than 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 for the party leadership 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 also 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. Nominations for both leader and deputy leader remain open for three weeks. The winners will be decided by a ballot of all party members, with the results being announced at the party conference in November.
Nominations remain open for three weeks.