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Angela Constance calls on SNP to 'build' independence case | Angela Constance calls on SNP to 'build' independence case |
(35 minutes later) | |
Scotland's youth employment secretary has launched her bid to be SNP deputy leader, saying her party must continue to build the case for independence. | |
But Angela Constance would not speculate on the timing of any future referendum, after people in Scotland last month voted against independence. | |
The Almond Valley MSP is competing with Transport Minister Keith Brown and SNP Treasury spokesman Stewart Hosie. | |
SNP members will take part in a postal vote to choose the new deputy leader. | SNP members will take part in a postal vote to choose the new deputy leader. |
The contest was triggered by Alex Salmond's decision to stand down as First Minister and SNP leader. | The contest was triggered by Alex Salmond's decision to stand down as First Minister and SNP leader. |
Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP's current deputy leader, is currently the only candidate to replace him. | Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP's current deputy leader, is currently the only candidate to replace him. |
Announcing her candidacy in her constituency, Ms Constance argued the party "should remain absolutely focused on independence". | |
She said: "While we don't know for sure when the opportunity to create an independent Scotland will next arise, nonetheless the SNP must continue to build the case for independence - head, heart and soul. | She said: "While we don't know for sure when the opportunity to create an independent Scotland will next arise, nonetheless the SNP must continue to build the case for independence - head, heart and soul. |
"The SNP is reinvigorated with tens of thousands of new members who have joined the SNP to campaign for independence. | "The SNP is reinvigorated with tens of thousands of new members who have joined the SNP to campaign for independence. |
"There is a new politics in Scotland and while I believe the SNP has a duty to lead the independence campaign, we have to recognise we don't have a monopoly on independence and we have to work hand in glove with the wider 'Yes' movement." | "There is a new politics in Scotland and while I believe the SNP has a duty to lead the independence campaign, we have to recognise we don't have a monopoly on independence and we have to work hand in glove with the wider 'Yes' movement." |
'Move forward' | 'Move forward' |
She added: "I want us to quickly learn the lessons from losing the referendum and to move forward the case for independence building on the participation and talents for all. | She added: "I want us to quickly learn the lessons from losing the referendum and to move forward the case for independence building on the participation and talents for all. |
"The debate about how we take Scotland forward is not about the Scottish Parliament or Westminster, it's about our party, our members and the wider 'Yes' movement. | "The debate about how we take Scotland forward is not about the Scottish Parliament or Westminster, it's about our party, our members and the wider 'Yes' movement. |
"It's not about politicians or parliaments - it's about people." | "It's not about politicians or parliaments - it's about people." |
Ms Constance said she was not seeking the position of deputy first minister, which she said would be "purely in the gift of the new first minister". | Ms Constance said she was not seeking the position of deputy first minister, which she said would be "purely in the gift of the new first minister". |
Ms Constance, a member of the Scottish cabinet who is also responsible for training and women's employment, has been an MSP since 2007. | Ms Constance, a member of the Scottish cabinet who is also responsible for training and women's employment, has been an MSP since 2007. |
The SNP's new leadership team will be announced in November at the party conference in Perth. | The SNP's new leadership team will be announced in November at the party conference in Perth. |
Ms Sturgeon has not ruled out the possibility of the SNP including a commitment to hold a second referendum in a future election manifesto. | Ms Sturgeon has not ruled out the possibility of the SNP including a commitment to hold a second referendum in a future election manifesto. |
But she also expressed her willingness to work with the Smith commission to boost Holyrood's powers, in the wake of the referendum "No" vote. | But she also expressed her willingness to work with the Smith commission to boost Holyrood's powers, in the wake of the referendum "No" vote. |