SNP 'FIRING STARTING GUN' ON HOLYROOD ELECTION CAMPAIGN

By Scott Macnab, Political Reporter, Press Association Scotland

The SNP will today "fire the starting gun" on the campaign for next

year's Holyrood election with a pledge to take their message of

independence straight to the people.

Activists will gather in Perth today for the party's annual conference

and hear that only Alex Salmond and his team have the "clear vision" to

deal with the challenges facing Scotland.

Moray MP Angus Robertson will again run the nationalists' election

campaign, after masterminding the party's victory in 2007.

"We're firing the starting gun on the election campaign today," he said.

"We will be making the point that Scotland would be significantly better

off not ruled by a Tory Government in London, but working together in

Scotland.

"Taking that approach, of course, we are taking the 'separatist' tag

head on and taking forward the inclusive idea of independence that the

SNP has straight to the people.

"Our core message will be encapsulated that Scotland's future will be

best served by working together."

The SNP administration recently shelved legislation for an independence

referendum in Scotland, blaming opposition parties at Holyrood who were

set to vote it down.

A new website launched today invites public feedback on party policy

ideas and candidates and activists will also take this to the doorsteps

to get a better gauge of voters' priorities in the coming months.

The conference, which runs until Sunday, will today hear from Deputy

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and also stage a debate on independence.

Mr Robertson added: "Having achieved a lot in three years, we know that

there's more to do and we will be outlining a clear vision which will

deliver for the people and for the country.

"We will also be highlighting the experience and leadership necessary to

meet the challenges to protect services and to work across parties and

to work for Scotland.

"And it is about not just now, but about the future and we have a big

challenge in dealing with the cuts that we know are heading in our

direction."

The party wants to return the "maximum amount" of MSPs next May but are

not setting targets. Its 2007 victory was achieved by the narrowest of

margins when it gained 47 MSPs to Labour's 46.

Recent polls indicate that the nationalists are trailing Labour, unlike

the build-up to the last election.

But Mr Robertson added: "It is a different environment. In 2006, the SNP

had never won an election and never been in Government before and it

does reflect that 2010/11 is different to then."

end

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