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Ex-SNP leader Alex Salmond announces he is to stand for UK parliament Ex-SNP leader Alex Salmond announces he is to stand for UK parliament
(35 minutes later)
Former SNP leader and First Minister Alex Salmond has announced he is to stand for a seat at Westminster at next May's General Election.Former SNP leader and First Minister Alex Salmond has announced he is to stand for a seat at Westminster at next May's General Election.
He unveiled his candidacy for his party's nomination in the Gordon constituency at a meeting in Ellon.He unveiled his candidacy for his party's nomination in the Gordon constituency at a meeting in Ellon.
The seat is currently held by retiring Lib Dem MP Sir Malcolm Bruce.The seat is currently held by retiring Lib Dem MP Sir Malcolm Bruce.
Mr Salmond said the north east of Scotland had been his "political home" since he entered representative politics.Mr Salmond said the north east of Scotland had been his "political home" since he entered representative politics.
He stood down as SNP leader and Scotland's first minister after the "Yes" campaign was defeated in September's independence referendum.He stood down as SNP leader and Scotland's first minister after the "Yes" campaign was defeated in September's independence referendum.
He currently represents the constituency of Aberdeenshire East in the Scottish Parliament.He currently represents the constituency of Aberdeenshire East in the Scottish Parliament.
However, he confirmed his decision to seek election to Westminster when he addressed a meeting in the Gordon constituency.However, he confirmed his decision to seek election to Westminster when he addressed a meeting in the Gordon constituency.
He said three things had become "self-evident".He said three things had become "self-evident".
Mr Salmond said the Smith Commission had "not measured up to what was promised".Mr Salmond said the Smith Commission had "not measured up to what was promised".
He added that Gordon Brown, "the man who said he would stand guarantor of the vow", had retired from politics.He added that Gordon Brown, "the man who said he would stand guarantor of the vow", had retired from politics.
Thirdly, he said he believed the SNP and "progressive allies" could emerge as a "powerful force" at the UK Parliament.Thirdly, he said he believed the SNP and "progressive allies" could emerge as a "powerful force" at the UK Parliament.
Mr Salmond said he had no ambition to lead the SNP group at Westminster and would, if elected for a year with a dual mandate, donate one salary to a charity supporting local youth causes.Mr Salmond said he had no ambition to lead the SNP group at Westminster and would, if elected for a year with a dual mandate, donate one salary to a charity supporting local youth causes.
He said: "I have been first minister of Scotland. He also ruled out any potential coalition with the Conservatives after the election.
"I have no interest in titles and fully support Angus Robertson who is an excellent leader of the SNP at Westminster, a close friend and a fine MP. "We won't have any deal with the Tories - they are not trusted by the people of Scotland" he said.
"I am perfectly content as a constituency member of parliament and will seek to have a role in negotiating the progress for Scotland which would arise from a powerful group of SNP MPs and our allies." "Other permutations are possible."
Three challengesThree challenges
Mr Salmond also set out "three big local challenges" in health, transport and jobs in the constituency.Mr Salmond also set out "three big local challenges" in health, transport and jobs in the constituency.
He said they had to "rally round" the local NHS under its new leadership, secure "key investments" on routes in the area and encourage local companies to diversify.He said they had to "rally round" the local NHS under its new leadership, secure "key investments" on routes in the area and encourage local companies to diversify.
In response to Mr Salmond's candidature, Mr Bruce said: "This is not all about Alex Salmond, as he seems to think it is. In response to Mr Salmond's candidature, Mr Bruce told BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House programme: "This is not all about Alex Salmond, as he seems to think it is.
"It's about the people of Gordon and how their interests are best served."It's about the people of Gordon and how their interests are best served.
"They're not best served by a man whose mission is to disrupt Westminster, to provoke division and to ignore the way the people voted on that issue.""They're not best served by a man whose mission is to disrupt Westminster, to provoke division and to ignore the way the people voted on that issue."
He said he felt that meant Mr Salmond had a "problem to address".He said he felt that meant Mr Salmond had a "problem to address".
"I've been out and about in the constituency and he's not a popular man," he added."I've been out and about in the constituency and he's not a popular man," he added.
The Lib Dems' candidate for the constituency, Christine Jardine, said she intended to be a "strong voice for all the people of Gordon".The Lib Dems' candidate for the constituency, Christine Jardine, said she intended to be a "strong voice for all the people of Gordon".