SNP Leadership contest 2004

'It does not take a nationalist to favour a strengthened and united SNP.' Sunday Herald Editorial, 27 th June 2004.

Sturgeon set to make bid for SNP hot seat

By Ian Swanson, Scottish Political Editor in the Scotsman 23 rd June 2004

SNP justice spokeswoman Nicola Sturgeon is set to launch her bid for the leadership of the party, quashing any hopes of a "coronation" for rival Roseanna Cunningham.

The two women will then become the leading contenders to take over the reins from John Swinney, who yesterday announced he was quitting.

Ms Cunningham was hailed as the front-runner after she became the first to declare her candidacy, within hours of Mr Swinney's resignation announcement.

But one senior party figure said there was no chance of her being allowed a free run.

"If her decision to declare early was designed to force everyone's hand, it will not work. The last thing the SNP needs is a managed succession."

And another leading activist said: "There's definitely going to be a contest. Nicola is going to run. They are in the advanced stages of preparation."

Other candidates could also declare within the next few days.

Leading fundamentalist Alex Neil, who lost to Mr Swinney in the 2000 contest which followed Alex Salmond's resignation, is taking soundings and has said he might stand again if he thinks he has a prospect of winning.

He said: "This leadership election is an opportunity to have an open, frank and honest debate about where we go from here.

"We have to be much more anti-establishment and much more high profile about our nationalist ambitions."

Finance spokesman Fergus Ewing, son of SNP president Winnie Ewing, is also tipped to throw his hat in the ring.

And former education spokes- man Mike Russell said today he was "actively considering" putting his name forward, despite the disadvantage of not being an MSP at the moment. "I'm talking to many people," he said.

But transport spokesman and Lothians MSP Kenny MacAskill, once seen as a likely candidate, has said it is "extremely unlikely" he will stand.

Mr Swinney's decision to quit followed mounting pressure in the wake of the SNP's poor showing in the European elections. He said he could not allow the relentless speculation about his position to damage the party.

Ms Sturgeon, who was Mr Swinney's campaign manager when he won the leadership, said she was consulting colleagues before making any announcement. She said: "I have to make a personal decision about whether I think I'm the right person for the job."

But it is understood she has the backing of former SNP leader Alex Salmond, who has firmly ruled himself out of the running.

Ms Cunningham today said she would be "more clearly left of centre" than Mr Swinney and said the party had to make more effort to communicate its message direct to the people.

She said: "I do not believe we could have stepped aside from the parliament, but we have to accept the parliament is not the be-all and end-all of politics in Scotland."

And she said the party also had to "clothe" the idea of independence in order to make it appealing to the voters.

Nominations close on July 16, ballot papers will go out during August, and the result is due to be announced on September 3.