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Scottish referendum: Keith Brown and Stewart Hosie to launch SNP deputy bids Scottish referendum: Keith Brown and Stewart Hosie launch SNP deputy bids
(about 5 hours later)
Keith Brown has become the first person to put his name forward as a candidate for the deputy leadership of the SNP. Keith Brown and Stewart Hosie have formally put their names forward as candidates for the deputy leadership of the SNP.
The Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP announced his candidacy at the National Poetry Library in Edinburgh. Mr Brown, the current transport secretary, announced his candidacy at an event in Edinburgh.
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. Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie also announced he is seeking the role.
Ms Sturgeon intends to succeed Alex Salmond as SNP leader and Scottish first minister. It is currently held by Nicola Sturgeon, who intends to succeed Alex Salmond as SNP leader and Scottish first minister.
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, the MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, 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".
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 Brown, a former Royal Marine, 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."
Greater powersGreater powers
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."
He also pledged to help ensure the three main Westminster parties keep their pre-referendum vow of delivering greater powers to the Scottish Parliament.He also pledged to help ensure the three main Westminster parties keep their pre-referendum vow of delivering greater powers to the Scottish Parliament.
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."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".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. Mr Hosie, the SNP's Treasury spokesman at Westminster, said he wanted to keep the "Yes" movement together to maximise the extra powers that come to Holyrood.
But he said it was important for the SNP to also reach out to the 55% of voters who rejected independence in last week's referendum.
Speaking in Dundee, he said: "It will be vital to keep the energy of the 'Yes' movement alive as we continue to campaign for more powers. The next opportunity we have to do that is the 2015 General Election.
"But let me be clear - I do not believe that election should be a re-run of the referendum.
"Rather it is Scotland's chance to hold Westminster to account - to hold their 'feet to the fire' - ensuring that they keep their promise to deliver devo-max - maximum devolution - and that means devolving everything apart from defence and foreign affairs."
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.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 for the party leadership 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 also 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."
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 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.