Nicola Sturgeon has launched her bid to replace Alex Salmond as SNP leader and first minister of Scotland. bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29336482 Speaking in Glasgow, Ms Sturgeon said she was more convinced than ever that Scotland would one day be independent. But she also expressed her willingness to work with the Smith commission to boost Holyroods powers. Mr Salmond announced he was stepping down in the wake of Scots rejecting independence in last Thursdays referendum. Ms Sturgeon, who is currently the SNPs deputy leader and Scotlands deputy first minister, said the country could only become independent if the electorate backed the move in a referendum. But she did not rule out the possibility of the SNP including a commitment to hold a second referendum in a future election manifesto. Confirming her leadership bid, she said: To be the first minister of my country, especially at this exciting and optimistic time, would be both a great honour - without doubt, the greatest honour - and an immense responsibility. I am putting myself forward for two simple reasons: I want to serve my party and my country. And I believe I am the best person for the job. I also hope that my candidacy, should it succeed, will send a strong message to every girl and young woman in Scotland - no matter your background or what you want to achieve in life, in Scotland in 2014 there is no glass ceiling on ambition. line Analysis: Brian Taylor, BBC Scotland political editor Nicola Sturgeon will face many challenges ahead - on the realistic presumption that she is elected SNP leader and thus first minister. Not, incidentally, that she was making any such presumption today: her linguistic tense was uniformly conditional. To add to those structural challenges, a transient one. Ms Sturgeons voice was discernibly struggling after the rigours of the referendum. Facing a comparable challenge, I tendered a comradely throat pastille. (For the avoidance of any doubt, I would do likewise for any other politician from any other party. Laryngitis knows no boundaries.) But, if her voice was slightly (and only slightly) below par, her meaning on a range of issues was clear and sharp: in her speech, in responding to media questions and in subsequent interviews. line Paying tribute to Mr Salmond, whom she regards as her mentor, Ms Sturgeon said: Alex Salmond transformed the SNP and as first minister he has made Scotland a better place. He also helped to make me the person and politician I am today. But she also stressed her intention to chart her own course as leader, and said that a different approach was required after the referendum. She said: His are big boots to fill, but if given the opportunity to lead, I will wear my own shoes - and they will certainly have higher heels. I will be my own person and set my own course.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 17:17:00 +0000
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