 | 'I believe in Scotland and all we can achieve if we choose to be independent. I belong to a party that will never sell its soul in the pursuit of power but will instead use patience and passion to win over our fellow Scots, to persuade them that real self-government is the only way to build a nation to be proud of.' SNP deputy leader, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, 3 rd September 2004. |  |
Nicola Sturgeon promised to take on and defeat Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell as she made her acceptance speech after winning the deputy post.
"As a party we might lack the resources of our opponents. But what makes us strong is the belief we all carry in our hearts that Scotland should be free. It is a simple but noble belief and if we unite behind it, I know we can inspire the people of Scotland to believe it too.
"I am delighted that Alex has been elected to lead the SNP. I believe that he will lead us to victory in 2007. And between now and then, I can and I will take on Mr McConnell in the Scottish Parliament and win.
"As this internal contest draws to a close and the real battle - the battle for the future of Scotland - commences, I draw confidence from the advantages I know I have over McConnell.
" I believe in Scotland and all we can achieve if we choose to be independent. I belong to a party that will never sell its soul in the pursuit of power but will instead use patience and passion to win over our fellow Scots, to persuade them that real self-government is the only way to build a nation to be proud of.
Ms Sturgeon promised to "shape up the SNP so we can ship out Labour".
She went on to criticise lengthy hospital waiting lists, pensioner poverty and the nuclear weapons at the Clyde naval base as examples of failings since the Labour-Lib Dem coalition was established in
1999.
She also thanked the other contenders for the post - MSPs Christine Grahame and Fergus Ewing.
She said: "Their talents will be indispensable as we take on and beat the mind-numbing mediocrity of the Labour-Liberal Executive."
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