Tory challenges Salmond to quit Westminster

azzuri · Tory challenges Salmond to quit Westminster

Tory challenges Salmond to quit Westminster

SCOTT MCNAB

ALEX Salmond was yesterday urged to quit his Westminster seat ahead of next year's Scottish elections by his Tory Holyrood rival.

The SNP leader, currently MP for Banff and Buchan, is to contest the Scottish Parliament's Gordon seat next May.
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If he wins, he will still continue as an MP until the next general election.

But the Tory North-east MSP Nanette Milne, who will also contest the Gordon seat, said Mr Salmond cannot be a "part-time" MSP. She said: "

Gordon needs a full-time MSP who is committed to fighting the constituency's corner and Alex Salmond must resign as an MP before the elections next year."

The SNP leader has previously said that he made a commitment to the voters of Banff and Buchan when he won the Westminster seat in 2003 and would see that out. He has also said that he would take only one salary.

A spokesman for the SNP said yesterday: "Alex Salmond is standing as SNP leader for Gordon and to be Scotland's First Minister next May."

see - http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=1194242006

Economist

If he loses the constituency, he's top of the list anyway, and guaranteed a seat in the Scottish Parliament next May?

October1974

From what I hear in Gordon - Alex won ALL the boxes in the Gordon part of his new seat in 2005 -where we polled 9% in some boxes in 2003 he polled 45% - the LD are very worried and some expect him to win.

Cado

He should keep his Westminster seat as he won it fairly and democratically.

Also, I reakon there could be some moments I really wouldn't want to miss....

SLG

I expect him to win fptp. But I agree that he should stand down from Westminster if he is elected to Holyrood.

Reluctant Hero

I also think he should stand down.

Being an MSP, as was said, should be a full-time job and not treated with contempt, like it has been by Gordon Jackson MSP who continues to practice law as well as being an MSP.

Salmond's situation is slightly different in that he intends to step down as an MP at the next General Election and he will only draw one salary.

True Scotsman

I think if Alex Salmond becomes elected to Holyhood, he should stand down fron Westminister, however he did say he would be standing down at the 2009 UK General Elections.

Cado

What I meant by 'interesting moments' would be seeing our new First Minister standing up in the House of Commons - complete with kilt and ginger wig bunnet, shouting "GET IT RIGHT UP YEZ!" giving GB the 'v's and legging it with that shinny gold thingy which lies there - plus the numerals off TBs front door at No10 if he can at all manage...

Those are my requests in any case - we can't let the 'beating 'em at home' tradition die, can we?