Contenders vie for power behind Sturgeon throne
THE race to be Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy got under way yesterday as the husband of her lifelong friend and a former Royal Marine both threw their hats into the ring.
With Miss Sturgeon heading for a coronation when Alex Salmond stands down in November, the real leadership contest is for the influential position of deputy leader.
Stewart Hosie, a member of the SNP’s team at Westminster and husband of Sports Minister Shona Robison, will go up against Transport Minister and Falklands veteran Keith Brown.
Ambitious MEP Alyn Smith yesterday appeared to rule himself out of the contest, with sources claiming he has struggled to attract enough support.
Rising star Humza Yousaf has yet to declare his intentions.
The final decision rests with 65,000 SNP members – a number that has soared in the days following the referendum defeat, making it hard to predict a result.
As an MP, Mr Hosie would be unable to occupy the role of Deputy First Minister if he wins – meaning Miss Sturgeon would need to appoint someone else to that position.
Miss Sturgeon has refused to rule out another referendum when she becomes leader, but has dismissed Mr Salmond’s suggestion that there are other ways of breaking up Britain without a referendum.
Mr Brown yesterday backed her stance, insisting: ‘Any further attempt to ask the people to support independence has to be through the ballot box and through a referendum.’
He added that ‘in terms of putting a time limit, you can’t do that, it really does depend on circumstances and the people’.
Following the promise made by Westminster parties of further devolution, Mr Brown said: ‘Those interests must include the maximisation of the powers to address the pressing needs of the people of Scotland for jobs, for greater equality and for greater life chances, generally for greater social justice.’
He continued: ‘I have worked with her [Nicola Sturgeon] in the same portfolio over the last two years and I believe that close working relationship would continue in the party and in the parliament, where we would be campaigning to achieve those greater powers.’
Mr Hosie said his aim would be to increase the number of Nationalist MPs at Westminster – which currently stands at six. In the 2010 General Election, Mr Salmond had a target of 20 MPs.
‘ I am certain if we are to ensure new powers are delivered for Scotland then the wider Yes movement must be maintained,’ Mr Hosie said.
‘ The next opportunity to deliver more powers is the 2015 General Election. But let me be clear – I do not believe that election should be a re-run of the referendum.
‘Rather, it is Scotland’s chance to hold Westminster to account to hold their “feet to the fire” ensuring that they keep their promise to deliver devo-max – maximum devolution – and that means devolving everything apart from defence and foreign affairs.
‘The best way to do that – to make sure Westminster delivers – will be to return the largest ever number of SNP MPs to Westminster. The SNP can do that by reaching out to Yes and No voters. I believe I can play a leadership role in that campaign and beyond.’