SNP ELECTS NEW WESTMINSTER LEADER
Posted on Wednesday, May 23 2007
ANGUS ROBERTSON TAKES OVER FROM ALEX SALMONDThe Scottish National Party (SNP) has elected a new leader at Westminster following the appointment of Alex Salmond as First Minister. Angus Robertson MP, who directed the victorious SNP Scottish Parliament campaign, takes up the post after having previously served as Mr Salmond’s Deputy in the House of Commons.The Moray MP said:“The SNP group will work closely with First Minister Alex Salmond and the new Scottish government to deliver the more successful Scotland people voted for in the recent historic elections.“We will also work constructively with other parties to secure more responsibilities for Scotland as the country progresses to independence, the natural state for so many similar nations."Mr Robertson, who remains the SNP Foreign Affairs and Defence spokesman, becomes at 37 the youngest leader of a political party at Westminster.He is the second Moray MP to lead the SNP in the House of Commons after Margaret Ewing.First elected in 2001, he has been rated as “Scotland’s Hardest Working MP” and represents the largest military constituency in Scotland which is also home to more than half the country’s Malt Whisky distilleries.Speaking about the election of Angus Robertson, First Minister Alex Salmond said:“Angus Robertson will be an excellent SNP Group Leader at Westminster. He has a proven parliamentary track record and a clear commitment to Scottish success. As Campaign Director he played a key role in the recent SNP victory.“Scottish and UK politics are going through tremendous changes and there are great opportunities for the SNP to provide leadership and fresh thinking on the issues that matter."Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie has been appointed Deputy SNP Group Leader and Chief Whip at Westminster. ENDSNotes for Editors:SNP Group Leaders at Westminster1974-1987 Donald Stewart MP PC1987-2001 Margaret Ewing MP2001-2007 Alex Salmond MP2007- Angus Robertson MP
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