 | 'Make no mistake - we are now embarked on a three-year campaign to replace Mr McConnell as First Minister of Scotland.' Alex Salmond MP, 1 st August 2004. |  |
| 'Make no mistake - we are now embarked on a three-year campaign to replace Mr McConnell as First Minister of Scotland.' Alex Salmond MP, 1 st August 2004. | |
Scottish National Party leadership
contender Alex Salmond has launched "a
three-year campaign" to replace Jack
McConnell as Scotland's first minister.
Mr Salmond and his running mate Nicola
Sturgeon unveiled a 40-point manifesto which
they believe will take the party to victory in
the Scottish Parliament.
The pair pledged to reawaken the
independence debate.
Mr Salmond promised there would be no
recriminations against those blamed for former leader John Swinney's departure.
Buoyed by an opinion poll showing huge support for him, Mr Salmond outlined his vision
for the SNP at a manifesto launch in Dundee.
Included in the manifesto was a pledge to
end the council tax.
Other proposed policies include a non-means
tested citizens pension, directly elected
health boards and the abolition of student
loans and provision of grants.
A new Scottish trust for public investment to fund large transport and other major
infrastructure projects and a campaign for Scotland to host the 2012 European Football
Championships are also being put forward.
In an attempt to improve democratic participation, Mr Salmond and Ms Sturgeon propose
a written constitution for Scotland, lowering the voting age to 16 and a system to allow
Scots to decide issues debated at Holyrood.
'Gaping chasm'
Mr Salmond said the manifesto offered "new and exciting" ideas which held out much to
the people of Scotland.
"There is a gaping chasm between politicians and the people of Scotland and that is partly
explained by the abject failure of the government to inspire and lead the nation, and thus
their failure to win the people over to why government and national leadership counts," he
went on.
Mr Salmond, currently the leader of the SNP at Westminster, said he and Ms Sturgeon
were willing to "rise to the challenge".
He said: "The campaign we are laying out today is for progress in next year's general
election, victory in 2007, and then to offer the people of Scotland the opportunity to
move forward to independence.
'Touch the hearts'
"It's a campaign to mobilise, to touch the hearts, the heads and the souls of Scotland.
"Make no mistake - we are now embarked on a three-year campaign to replace Mr
McConnell as First Minister of Scotland."
Mr Salmond is challenging for leadership role along with Roseanna Cunningham and Mike
Russell.
Ms Sturgeon is vying with MSPs Christine Grahame and Fergus Ewing for the deputy job.
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