Brown throws hat into ring to be deputy leader

A MEMBER of Nicola Sturgeon’s Cabinet will stand to be her new deputy – to prepare the party for ‘any future referendums’.

Economy Secretary keith Brown is the most senior figure to put his name forward as SNP deputy leader.

Mr Brown said: ‘There’s a serious job for the deputy leader in getting the party in shape to face the future.

‘We need to get all of our members ready to fight and win elections and to be ready for any future referendums. Getting the party ready and giving the members the tools they need will be my focus.’

He is the third person to stand for the post, following former Moray MP Angus Robertson’s decision to step down.

Glasgow MSP James Dornan and party activist Julie Hepburn have previously declared.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Brown said: ‘The massive increase in party membership since Indyref 1 means we have to change our structures.

‘The SNP has come a long way but we have a long way still to go and we’ve got to get geared up for the journey.’