 | 'Mike Russell... The party should not overlook his communication and organisational skills, as well as the fact that he is also probably the only person in the party capable of striking some fear into the Labour-led Executive..' Sunday Herald Editorial, 27 th June 2004. |  |
THE contest to become the next leader of the SNP is likely to become a four-way fight, with Michael Russell, the former MSP, declaring today and Alex Neil preparing to join battle within the next few days.
Mr Russell, the former chief executive of the party who went on to become a member of the shadow cabinet before losing his seat last year amid rows over the party's list rankings for Holyrood, has called a media conference for today. Nicola Sturgeon and Roseanna Cunningham have already announced their intention to stand for the leadership.
Mr Russell was in effect singled out for personal criticism by John Swinney at the party's national council in Stirling on Saturday, but he remains determined to prove that it is possible for the party to be led by someone outside parliament. He has booked for his announcement a hotel in the west of Edinburgh previously used as an SNP election base.
He has talked recently about the fact that the new party constitution does not specify that the national convener must be an MSP, although he accepts that this has become a widely accepted convention across all parties. Among the difficulties he would have to overcome would be designating someone to face Jack McConnell at first minister's questions, without that nominee being branded a puppet.
Mr Neil's camp was collecting nomination signatures at the national council although he has not yet openly declared his candidacy. He called this a contingency measure to keep his options open, but The Herald has since learned that he is certain to stand.
Speaking yesterday, he said of the announcement planned by Mr Russell today: "I would welcome the fact that a non-MSP is standing, as there is too much snobbery about the idea that only a parliamentarian can be party leader. Michael Russell has a lot to contribute. Although I disagree with him on a number of issues I think that in standing he will raise a host of substantial issues and that is good for debate."
Also yesterday, in an effort to draw a line under the infighting that has dogged the party, Winnie Ewing, the SNP president, said Scotland could have independence within five years, despite poor results in the European elections. She told BBC Scotland's Sunday Live programme: "The party is actually in quite a good state. It is a very solid party."
Mr Swinney, who will stand down when the result is announced on September 3, made his last major speech as leader to delegates in Stirling, but it had an ugly aftermath as his criticism of the internal sniping that drove him from office was taken wrongly by some to imply that this included his predecessor Alex Salmond.
He issued a statement yesterday saying: "I want to put on record my deep gratitude to Alex Salmond for his loyalty and steadfast support throughout my time as SNP leader. His loyalty has been exemplary and his support invaluable."
Another factor demonstrating the difficult job the new leader will face was the admission that the paid-up party membership stands at only 8500, half of that claimed by the Tories in Scotland and not much over a third of that claimed by Labour.
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