SNP Leadership contest 2004

'I can and I will take on Mr McConnell in the Scottish Parliament and win.' SNP deputy leader, Nicola Sturgeon, 3 rd September 2004.

Salmond elected SNP leader

By Ben Judge in the Scotsman, 3 rd September 2004

Alex Salmond has been elected as the new leader of the Scottish National Party, with Nicola Sturgeon as his deputy.

Nicola Sturgeon will lead the opposition in Holyrood.

Mr Salmond beat Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham and the party's former Chief Executive Mike Russell in poll of party members with a turnout of nearly 80%. Mr Salmond received 75% of the votes with Ms Sturgeon polling just over half the votes for the post of deputy.

Mr Salmond had initially ruled himself out of the leadership contest, but had been the bookmakers' favourite for the post since he decelared his intention to run on July 15.

The Banff and Buchan MP was leader of the party for ten years, resigning a year after the opening of the Scottish Parliament.

As Mr Salmond is a Westminster MP, the job of leading the opposition in the Holyrood parliament will fall to Ms Sturgeon.

Ms Sturgeon said: ÒI believe that he [Salmond] 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.Ó