Salmond Aims For Westminster

7 December 2014, 08:08 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Alex Salmond will confirm today that he wants to win a seat at Westminster in next year's general election.

He officially stood down as First Minister and SNP Leader last month, having announced his resignation just hours after the Yes campaign lost the independence referendum.

There has been speculation about his political future ever since.

It is understood that he will stand in the Gordon constituency, which shares some areas with his Aberdeenshire East Holyrood constituency.

The seat is currently held by Liberal Democrat veteran Sir Malcolm Bruce, who is retiring in May.

Mr Salmond was previously an MP for Banff and Buchan between 1987 and 2010 and will set out his latest plans in a speech in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, today.

Since the referendum, support for the SNP has swelled and the party's membership has grown from 25,000 to more than 92,000.

Recent polls have also predicted large gains for the party at next year's general election, with one showing the SNP leading Labour by 46% to 26% in Scotland.

Mr Salmond, who remains an MSP, has regularly been asked about his future since stepping down as First Minister but has so far refused to confirm his plans.

When standing down as First Minister last month, he described his seven-year tenure as the "privilege" of his life.

"In the last few months we have watched an electorate passionately engaged in the business of fashioning their own future," he said.

"I see little evidence that the people of Scotland resented the government pursuing that business with them and for them.

"Scotland has a new sense of political confidence and a new sense of economic confidence.

"That new sense of political confidence, or engagement, is the point on which I wish to end."

The Gordon seat, which will now become one of the most-watched in next year's general election, was won by the Lib Dems with a majority of 6,748 over the SNP in 2010.

Incumbent MP Mr Bruce said: "People in Gordon rejected the First Minister's independence plans overwhelmingly at the referendum.

"I am sure that they would be delighted to have the chance to reject him again in May. Bring it on."

Lib Dem candidate Christine Jardine, who hopes to replace the retiring Sir Malcolm as the local MP, said the area had been "short changed" during Mr Salmond's time as First Minister.

"I'm delighted the former First Minister is set to put an end to the game-playing," she said.

"The people of Gordon deserve better, just as they deserve an MP who will stand up for what's important to them, not chase their personal political agenda at the cost of what's best for the people of the North East.

"I intend to be a strong voice for all the people of Gordon."