 | 'Scottish Labour are hollowing out, losing
members and losing votes. The New Labour shooting star that streaked across the
southern skies in 1997 is on the way to crashing and burning out. The Scottish Labour
Party, a party that have never experienced losing in their own patch, had 29 % in last
year's election and are creaking at the seams.' Sunday Herald Editorial, 15 th August 2004. |  |
SNP leadership contender Alex Salmond has come under fire from a rival for the top post over his plans to return to Holyrood as MSP for Banff and Buchan.
The Holyrood seat for that constituency is already held by Stewart Stevenson, and Mike Russell challenged Alex Salmond to reveal what plans he had made with Stevenson.
The clash came after a hustings in East Kilbride on Friday where Salmond was asked if he would 'take the fight to Labour' and return to Holyrood by standing for a central belt seat. But Salmond, the MP for Banff and Buchan, said he planned to stick with that constituency.
'I have stood for one party, in one seat. I intend to continue to stand for one party, the SNP, in Banff and Buchan,' he said. 'I intend to win, in the northeast of Scotland, a seat in the Scottish parliament.'
Branding Jack McConnell a 'mediocre' First Minister who lacked ideas, Salmond said 'We have a vision and a policy platform and a commitment to independence. My commitment to you is that I will stand for that election, I will beat Jack McConnell, and I will do it on our vision of an independent free and socially just Scotland.
But Russell pointed out that Stevenson had won the Holyrood seat in a 2001 by-election held to enable Salmond to return to Westminster.
'Now it would appear there is to be another round of musical chairs to reverse the situation. When the music stops - if the party members and electorate play ball - Alex Salmond will again be an MSP.' said Russell.
He added that Stevenson was on record as saying he would not stand down unless requested by the party.
'has that request been made in the middle of a leadership election? Has Alex Salmond discussed taking over Stewart Stevenson's seat, and on what basis? Have party selection committee, or indeed the voters no say in this, or are they just to do as they are bidden?
'These questions demand immediate answers. It underlines my earlier statement that SNP members are not sheep, to be driven hither and yon, and no potential leader should behave as if he thought they were,' he added.
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