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Salmond embarks on whirlwind tour SNP leader makes whirlwind tour
(about 3 hours later)
SNP leader Alex Salmond has embarked on a whistle-stop helicopter trip around Scotland to highlight family pledges.SNP leader Alex Salmond has embarked on a whistle-stop helicopter trip around Scotland to highlight family pledges.
His tour came as 100 families gave their support to his party in a newspaper advertisement.His tour came as 100 families gave their support to his party in a newspaper advertisement.
The Nationalists have pledged a 50% increase in free nursery provision for three and four-year-olds.The Nationalists have pledged a 50% increase in free nursery provision for three and four-year-olds.
They said they would also cut class sizes in primaries one to three to 18 and would support working parents by promoting more flexible working.They said they would also cut class sizes in primaries one to three to 18 and would support working parents by promoting more flexible working.
Speaking at the start of his tour, in Stirling, Mr Salmond said: "Families across the country know that the SNP stands not only for success for Scotland, but also a better life for Scotland's hard-working families.Speaking at the start of his tour, in Stirling, Mr Salmond said: "Families across the country know that the SNP stands not only for success for Scotland, but also a better life for Scotland's hard-working families.
"We are working hard to get across our plans to make life easier and fairer for families up and down the country."We are working hard to get across our plans to make life easier and fairer for families up and down the country.
"The SNP in government will do everything we can to make a positive difference to the everyday lives of families, not just in one or two areas, but all across the board.""The SNP in government will do everything we can to make a positive difference to the everyday lives of families, not just in one or two areas, but all across the board."
Mr Salmond went on: "That means investing in education to reduce class sizes to prepare our children for the future, and improving our provision of free nursery education."Mr Salmond went on: "That means investing in education to reduce class sizes to prepare our children for the future, and improving our provision of free nursery education."
In the newspaper advert, the families endorsed the statement: "As parents, we believe young Scots can have more opportunities to learn with smaller class sizes and more free nursery education.In the newspaper advert, the families endorsed the statement: "As parents, we believe young Scots can have more opportunities to learn with smaller class sizes and more free nursery education.
"That's why we are all supporting Alex Salmond and the SNP on 3 May.""That's why we are all supporting Alex Salmond and the SNP on 3 May."
Meanwhile, the SNP hosted the Scotland's Big Party concert in Glasgow on Friday evening, headlined by chart-topping Scots musician Sandi Thom.