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azzuri · 'Our Scotland' Fossil Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 3777

Alex Salmond interview in local paper...............

see - http://www.buchanie.co.uk/archived/2006/week_03/news/salmond.asp

DATE: 18/01/2006

Salmond IS

to stand for Gordon MSP seat

...and he WILL stand down as MP if elected First Minister

BANFF and Buchan MP Alex Salmond has revealed that he will step down as the area's Westminster representative if he becomes Scotland's First Minister at the next Scottish Election.

He told the Buchan Observer yesterday (Monday) that he hopes to be Scotland's First Minister after the next elections.

If his dreams come to fruition, he exclusively told us that he will step down as MP for Banff and Buchan at the next General Election in 2009.

He said: "I am confident that we can become the biggest party in Scotland by 2007 and I hope to be Scotland's next leader. If that becomes a reality, then I will step down as MP for Banff and Buchan at the next General Election."

The SNP leader has chosen to battle for the Gordon seat, which is currently held by Lib Dem MSP Nora Radcliffe with a majority of over 4,000. The SNP are hoping to gain more than 20 seats in next years election and Mr Salmond is leading by example by challenging the MSP in what is traditionally a Lib Dem stronghold.

He said: "As exclusively predicted in the Buchan Observer last week, I have put my name forward to become the SNP candidate for the Gordon constituency in the Scottish election."

The Gordon constituency overlaps with his current Westminster seat, with some 10,000 of his present Banff and Buchan constituents in the Gordon Scottish parliamentary seat.

A further 6,000 of the Gordon electorate are also in the SNP held Moray seat at Westminster.

Mr Salmond added: "I said that I would stand for the Scottish Parliament in this corner of Scotland and that is exactly what I intend to do. The issues of the rural economy and services are vital across the North East of Scotland and these will be at the centre of our campaign.

"The SNP need to gain 20 new seats to win that election and become Scotland's leading party. The Gordon seat is the 18th most winnable on that list of potential gains. Therefore, Gordon will be the crucible of the election. If we win Gordon then the SNP will be well on our way to a famous victory across Scotland.

"To win Gordon we have to pick up 4,500 votes and need a 7.75 percent swing. Therefore, I expect a tough fight, and I take nothing for granted, but we intend to win. I am looking forward enormously to this challenge as is every single local SNP activist.

"There are two key factors in my decision. Firstly, that the SNP has to gain seats in the coming election not just hold the ones we already have. I am running to become the new First Minister of Scotland and I intend to lead from the front. For that reason, it was never really an option to stand for Banff and Buchan since the constituency already has a fine SNP MSP in Stewart Stevenson.

"Secondly, many thousands of my current constituents are already in the Gordon seat. The North-east is not just my political base but my home and this decision gives me the opportunity to continue to represent this wonderful corner of Scotland."

Mr Salmond feels that representing both Banff and Buchan and Gordon will give him more political clout when it comes to local issues, such as duelling the A90 between Ellon and Peterhead.

He added: "Gordon and Banff and Buchan are right next door to one another, so many of the issues affecting each constituency are similar. Hopefully I will be able to push harder for a dual carriageway between Peterhead and Ellon, but I also plan to fight to preserve the rural economy and ensure that rural communities retain their services."

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Maol.Chaluim · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:59 pm Post subject:

Aventinian

parkhead_rfb · Getting on a bit! Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 1974

its ok for ian he can manage all those jobs, no matter what the issue he just replies with ulser says no no no anyway.
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"our revenge will be the laughter of our children" bobby sands MP

"there is no equality in a society that stands upon the political and economic bog, if only the strongest make it good or survive" bobby sands MP

Aventinian · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 10:14 am Post subject:

LOL... but he does have to move about a bit to say it.
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