SNP Leadership contest 2004

'Scotland has to think small to win big. It is much easier to train primary teachers, and indeed colleges of education are still turning away suitably qualified candidates..' Michael Russell, 14 th July 2004.

Salmond to stand for leadership

From BBC News Herald, 15 th July 2004

Former leader of the Scottish National Party Alex Salmond is to stand in the contest to replace John Swinney.

He will make the surprise declaration at a news conference in Aberdeen later on Thursday.

It is understood Nicola Sturgeon will drop her leadership bid in his favour and aim to become deputy leader.

Mr Salmond telephoned campaign managers for the other candidates on Wednesday to tell them of his intention to run for leader again.

Alex Salmond: A man of surprises

Mr Salmond, the party's leader at Westminster, had repeatedly said he would not seek the job which he had left four years ago.

He had gone as far to say that if he was elected to the post he would resign.

The announcement by the MP for Banff and Buchan in the north east of Scotland comes on the eve of the close of nominations.

The fact that he is not a member of the Scottish Parliament may become an issue in his leadership bid although he had previously stated his intention to stand as an MSP in 2007.

By-election possibility

BBC Scotland political correspondent Kirsten Campbell said: "It could be that another MSP will be persuaded to give up their seat and create a by-election so that he can come back earlier, assuming he wins the leadership contest.

"Or he could stay at Westminster and delegate the job to his deputy - Nicola Sturgeon if she wins the vote - who would then effectively become the leader in the Scottish Parliament."

Former MSP Mike Russell, current party deputy and MSP Roseanna Cunningham and MSP Nicola Sturgeon had declared their intentions to stand for the leadership, which will be decided in September.

Mr Russell and Ms Cunningham are going ahead with their leadership bids. The former will lodge his nomination papers on Thursday and will outline his five steps to independence.

Mr Salmond stepped down at the party's annual conference in 2000 after 10 years as national convener.

Thursday's news conference is being held in the same Aberdeen hotel where he announced his resignation as leader almost four years ago to the day.

At the time he said: "I think 10 years has been the allotted term of SNP leaders."

Change of heart

Asked if he would stand again as leader following Mr Swinney's resignation in June, he said: "If nominated I'll decline. If drafted I'll defer. And if elected I'll resign."

Mr Salmond, 49, was an economist with the Royal Bank of Scotland before winning his Westminster seat from the Tories in 1987.

The following year he interrupted the chancellor's Budget speech in protest at the introduction of the poll tax in Scotland. He was thrown out of the chamber for a week.