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| SNP conference: Alex Salmond sets UK election target | SNP conference: Alex Salmond sets UK election target |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Alex Salmond has set a target for the SNP to win a majority of Scottish seats in the 2015 Westminster election. | Alex Salmond has set a target for the SNP to win a majority of Scottish seats in the 2015 Westminster election. |
| As he handed the SNP leadership to Nicola Sturgeon, Mr Salmond also called on party supporters to help grow its membership to 100,000. | As he handed the SNP leadership to Nicola Sturgeon, Mr Salmond also called on party supporters to help grow its membership to 100,000. |
| The outgoing first minister also told the SNP conference that Scotland would eventually be independent, despite September's referendum "No" vote. | The outgoing first minister also told the SNP conference that Scotland would eventually be independent, despite September's referendum "No" vote. |
| Mr Salmond has not ruled out standing for Westminster himself next year. | Mr Salmond has not ruled out standing for Westminster himself next year. |
| He told delegates in Perth the SNP was in majority government in Scotland, had 72 parliamentarians across three parliaments and more councillors than any other party. | He told delegates in Perth the SNP was in majority government in Scotland, had 72 parliamentarians across three parliaments and more councillors than any other party. |
| Mr Salmond who stands down as first minister next week, said: "Let us now set a target of winning our first UK general election in Scotland." | |
| He said only a vote for the SNP in 2015 would force the Westminster parties to deliver on their pre-referendum promise to increase the Scottish Parliament's powers in return for a "No" vote. | |
| Mr Salmond told the conference: "Getting that vote in 2015 depends on you - the members of this party." | |
| And he said of the SNP, which currently has 85,000 members: "Let us ensure that by next May's election, the SNP reaches a level which has never been seen before in Scottish politics - 100,000 members representing the national cause." |