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Salmond 'ready to rule Scotland' | Salmond 'ready to rule Scotland' |
(10 minutes later) | |
SNP leader Alex Salmond has told his party's conference he is ready to be the next first minister of Scotland. | SNP leader Alex Salmond has told his party's conference he is ready to be the next first minister of Scotland. |
It came as Mr Salmond unveiled his party's programme for the first 100 days of government, if they win power. | It came as Mr Salmond unveiled his party's programme for the first 100 days of government, if they win power. |
Addressing the SNP conference in Glasgow, Mr Salmond pledged movement on class sizes, the health service and an independence referendum. | Addressing the SNP conference in Glasgow, Mr Salmond pledged movement on class sizes, the health service and an independence referendum. |
But Chancellor Gordon Brown said the SNP's policies were not properly thought out. | But Chancellor Gordon Brown said the SNP's policies were not properly thought out. |
Mr Salmond reaffirmed his commitment to an independence referendum within the four-year Scottish Parliament term. | Mr Salmond reaffirmed his commitment to an independence referendum within the four-year Scottish Parliament term. |
The only thing really small about Scotland is the small mindedness of those currently in charge Alex SalmondSNP leader | The only thing really small about Scotland is the small mindedness of those currently in charge Alex SalmondSNP leader |
He said the SNP had an unprecedented momentum ahead of the poll on 3 May. | He said the SNP had an unprecedented momentum ahead of the poll on 3 May. |
The SNP leader hit out at Prime Minister Tony Blair for "coming up to Scotland to talk down to us". | The SNP leader hit out at Prime Minister Tony Blair for "coming up to Scotland to talk down to us". |
Mr Salmond promised a smaller government, which would fight for Scotland's rights abroad, co-operate with the UK Government where needed and work towards lower and fairer taxation. | Mr Salmond promised a smaller government, which would fight for Scotland's rights abroad, co-operate with the UK Government where needed and work towards lower and fairer taxation. |
He also vowed to challenge Trident being replaced on the Clyde and seek early talks with Westminster on transferring responsibility for North Sea oil to Holyrood. | He also vowed to challenge Trident being replaced on the Clyde and seek early talks with Westminster on transferring responsibility for North Sea oil to Holyrood. |
'Think big' | 'Think big' |
"Scotland may be small in population, but we are not small in thought or ambition. We are only small if we think small," he said. | "Scotland may be small in population, but we are not small in thought or ambition. We are only small if we think small," he said. |
"The only thing really small about Scotland is the small mindedness of those currently in charge. The SNP think bigger and better. | "The only thing really small about Scotland is the small mindedness of those currently in charge. The SNP think bigger and better. |
"And how absurd of Labour to argue that this supposed 'best small country' is somehow incapable of running all of our own affairs." | "And how absurd of Labour to argue that this supposed 'best small country' is somehow incapable of running all of our own affairs." |
On Saturday, Nationalists received a boost when the leading Scottish businessman Brian Souter announced he was donating £500,000 to the SNP election campaign. | On Saturday, Nationalists received a boost when the leading Scottish businessman Brian Souter announced he was donating £500,000 to the SNP election campaign. |
It came after the former chair of the Bank of Scotland, Sir George Mathewson, voiced his support for Scottish independence. | It came after the former chair of the Bank of Scotland, Sir George Mathewson, voiced his support for Scottish independence. |
Gordon Brown emphasised Labour's record on employment | |
However, in a newspaper interview, Chancellor Gordon Brown said: "I don't hear the current leaders of the financial services industry repeating these things." | However, in a newspaper interview, Chancellor Gordon Brown said: "I don't hear the current leaders of the financial services industry repeating these things." |
Although the SNP are ahead in the opinion polls, because of the voting system in Scotland it is unlikely that any party will have an overall majority after the elections. | Although the SNP are ahead in the opinion polls, because of the voting system in Scotland it is unlikely that any party will have an overall majority after the elections. |
If the SNP is the largest group, Mr Salmond knows he will have to enter talks with other parties. | If the SNP is the largest group, Mr Salmond knows he will have to enter talks with other parties. |
However, the Chancellor, tipped by many to take over from Prime Minister Tony Blair when he steps down later this year, attacked the Nationalists. | However, the Chancellor, tipped by many to take over from Prime Minister Tony Blair when he steps down later this year, attacked the Nationalists. |
He said there were holes in the party's plans to replace the council tax with a new local income tax. | He said there were holes in the party's plans to replace the council tax with a new local income tax. |
The SNP revealed details of the scheme earlier this week, but Mr Brown said they had "fallen apart" when asked if it would apply to unearned income. | The SNP revealed details of the scheme earlier this week, but Mr Brown said they had "fallen apart" when asked if it would apply to unearned income. |
All of my life-experience tells me that an independent Scotland will be successful Sir Sean Connery | All of my life-experience tells me that an independent Scotland will be successful Sir Sean Connery |
"They have fallen apart on spending because we have shown in great detail how all the spending commitments of the SNP just do not add up," he said. | "They have fallen apart on spending because we have shown in great detail how all the spending commitments of the SNP just do not add up," he said. |
The conference also heard a message of support from long-term SNP supporter Sir Sean Connery. | The conference also heard a message of support from long-term SNP supporter Sir Sean Connery. |
Sir Sean told delegates in his broadcast that the party offered a "new renaissance of confidence" in culture. | Sir Sean told delegates in his broadcast that the party offered a "new renaissance of confidence" in culture. |
"All of my life-experience tells me that an independent Scotland will be successful," he said. | "All of my life-experience tells me that an independent Scotland will be successful," he said. |
The conference then heard proposals for funding of the arts to be improved to make it easier to access funds. | The conference then heard proposals for funding of the arts to be improved to make it easier to access funds. |
On climate change, the SNP said it would introduce a bill setting mandatory carbon reduction targets of 3% a year. | On climate change, the SNP said it would introduce a bill setting mandatory carbon reduction targets of 3% a year. |
The pledge came from environment spokesman Richard Lochhead, who said Scotland could go "much, much further" than Westminster's plans for tackling climate change. | The pledge came from environment spokesman Richard Lochhead, who said Scotland could go "much, much further" than Westminster's plans for tackling climate change. |
But the Green Party challenged the Nationalist environmental credentials, saying the party backed major new roads, a second Forth crossing and airport expansion. | But the Green Party challenged the Nationalist environmental credentials, saying the party backed major new roads, a second Forth crossing and airport expansion. |