SNP Leadership contest 2004

'The common weal, the public interest, of Scotland is the guiding principle of our politics.' Alex Salmond, 16 th August 2004.

40 per cent of SNP members have ticked box

From the Scotsman, 20 th August 2004

FORTY per cent of SNP members have already cast their votes in the internal election to choose a new leader and deputy for the party.

Senior Nationalists say that means the final turn-out in the postal ballot among the party's 8200 members could be around 65 per cent. Former leader Alex Salmond, who is favourite to win his old job back, hailed the turn-out as evidence of a new enthusiasm within the party. And he said there was a high level of public interest.

But Mike Russell, one of his rivals for the leadership, said the vote was slower than he expected and claimed speculation about a Salmond landslide was wide of the mark.

He said: "Many members are deeply uneasy about the thought of the party being led from London by Alex, with Nicola Sturgeon running the Scottish Parliament until Alex's potential return in 2007. I think what we are witnessing here is a membership balking at taking that step."

Ballot papers went out to members last weekend and must be returned by August 31. The result is due to be announced on September 3.

Mr Salmond is standing against Mr Russell and former deputy leader Roseanna Cunningham. Nicola Sturgeon, Christine Grahame and Fergus Ewing are standing for the deputy job.