Russell 'will crush' party divisions

On 3 September, the Scottish National Party will have a new leader. Three candidates are competing for the post, Roseanna Cunningham, Mike Russell and Alex Salmond. Here, Mr Russell sets out why he should lead the party in Scotland.

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The SNP leadership contest presents a clear choice between a fresh start, with fresh thinking leading to fresh opportunities, or remaining addicted to the solutions of the past, none of which have taken the party where we need to go.

Even those who do not presently support the SNP regret that it has lost its way.

Mike Russell: "We have to look forward"

They know that Scotland needs an invigorated national party, forcing the pace and keen to win success for itself and for the nation.

That cannot be done by looking backwards.

During the campaign, at the many hustings and meetings, I have been advocating that fresh start - I want to make it happen.

That is why I am standing to be leader.

That is why I hope to win.

A fresh start based on a new spirit of inclusion, having done with the divisions that have so marred the party in recent years.

A fresh start which emphasises the urgent need to increase membership, increase resources and in so doing increase electoral support.

A fresh start that takes down the barriers to voting SNP.

We need a clear strategy to move from where we are to where we must be if we are to win a national election victory - our first in our 70-year existence.

That strategy - my proposed "five steps to independence" - starts with renewing the party.

Electoral success

At the same time, we must dare to be different, thinking new thoughts - for example on Nato, the EU and taxation - and showing that we have changed and are changing.

We need then to change our attitude to the parliament, demonstrating that we recognise Scotland's disillusionment with the old politics and bringing in the new, including new ways of involving people in policy making and major changes to the way in which we work in the Scots parliament.

Foremost would be a massive reduction in the use of the discredited and anti-democratic party whipping system.

We must also stress the type of Scotland we seek - a modern country of enterprise and opportunity in which an imaginative, entrepreneurial Scotland contributes to the growth of national wealth and national self confidence, and in which we have the best public services freely available to all.

If we take those steps then they will lead to electoral success and to winning government at the 2007 elections.

We can then show Scotland that the SNP can be trusted to deliver, and can be trusted to lead Scotland to further success - the success that only independence can bring.