SNP Leadership contest 2004

'We share a belief that the SNP must find a new way of doing things. It's time to stop wallowing in the disappointment of devolution.' Nicola Sturgeon MSP and Kenny MacAskill MSP, 5 th July 2004.

Surgeon and MacAskill join forces in SNP race

By Hamish MacDonnell, Scottish Political Editor, in the Scotsman, 6 th July 2004

NICOLA Sturgeon stole a march on her leadership rivals yesterday, by joining forces formally with Kenny MacAskill in a joint bid for control of the SNP.

Ms Sturgeon is standing for the post of party leader and Mr MacAskill for deputy leader.

Yesterday, they formed the first joint ticket for the leadership in the SNP's history, hoping that together they will be able to attract more votes than they could on their own. There are two other candidates for the leadership, Roseanna Cunningham, the current deputy leader, and Mike Russell, the former SNP chief executive, and two other candidates for the deputy leadership, back-benchers Christine Grahame and Fergus Ewing.

They have not formed any alliances and, as yet, there does not appear to be any indications of them doing so.

The Sturgeon/MacAskill axis is an astute one because each comes from a different wing of the party. Ms Sturgeon is seen to favour a moderate, gradualist approach to independence, while Mr MacAskill used to be the standard-bearer of the fundamentalist wing - although he has become much less radical over the past few years.

Ms Sturgeon will be hoping that Mr MacAskill can bring the fundamentalist votes with him, and he, in turn, will be hoping to benefit from an association with Ms Sturgeon's status as a central figure in the last leadership.

The downside is that one may get elected without the other, which could make it difficult to work with whoever does win.

Ms Sturgeon said: "There is a feeling within the SNP membership that the party has lost its way.

"Kenny and I believe that between us we have the ideas, experience and leadership qualities to get the SNP back on track.

"Above all, we share a belief that the SNP must find a new way of doing things. It's time to stop wallowing in the disappointment of devolution."

Mr MacAskill said: "There have been alliances between candidates before that were by word of mouth and backroom whispers.

"It is time to change that culture within the SNP. We believe that we need to build openness and trust in the party and between members."

Meanwhile, Ms Cunningham has appointed a non-MSP to be her campaign spokeswoman. Maureen Watt, a former teacher, has served on several public bodies.