2014 Scottish National Party leadership election

Scottish National Party (SNP) leadership election May 2017 May 2017 2014 Scottish National Party leadership election presidential no 2004 Scottish National Party leadership election 2004 2023 Scottish National Party leadership election 2023 14 November 2014 150x150px Nicola Sturgeon Unopposed Leader Alex Salmond Nicola Sturgeon The 2014 Scottish National Party leadership election was held to choose the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and First Minister of Scotland, following the resignation of Alex Salmond as first minister and leader. Nicola Sturgeon emerged as the only candidate and was elected unopposed as leader of the SNP. In the previous election, held ten years prior in 2004, Salmond was elected, on a joint ticket with Sturgeon as depute, to succeed John Swinney after he resigned following poor SNP electoral performances. Salmond led the party through the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, with the SNP emerging as the largest party and forming a minority government, with the support of the Scottish Greens. The SNP won an overwhelming majority in the 2011 election. Salmond's new majority administration pushed for its manifesto commitment of holding a referendum on Scottish independence. In the 2014 referendum, a majority of Scots voted in favour of remaining part of the United Kingdom. The defeat of the Yes Scotland campaign, resulted in Salmond's resignation. He resigned at party's annual conference in Perth in November 2014. Sturgeon was the first, and only one, to announce their candidacy for leadership of the SNP. Many prominent members of the SNP were speculated to run, however, they declined and instead endorsed Sturgeon for leader. On 15 October 2014, she was confirmed as the next leader of the SNP, becoming the de facto leader-in-waiting. Sturgeon officially succeeded Salmond unopposed at the party's conference in November 2014. She became the first female leader and was subsequently appointed First Minister of Scotland. When Sturgeon announced her candidacy for leader, she also announced she would step down as depute leader of the SNP, triggering a depute leadership contest. Stewart Hosie, Keith Brown and Angela Constance all ran in the election, with Hosie defeating both candidates in the first and second round and succeeding Sturgeon as depute leader. Background Internal party division Fundamentalists and gradualists 2000 Scottish National Party leadership election 2003 Scottish National Party leadership election In the 2000 leadership election, John Swinney succeeded Salmond as leader of the SNP, after defeating Alex Neil.BBC News SCOTLAND Two-horse race for SNP top job https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/865676.stm 2022-07-15 news.bbc.co.ukBBC NEWS In Depth Conferences SNP Emphatic SNP win for Swinney https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/uk_politics/2000/conferences/snp/938727.stm 2022-07-15 news.bbc.co.uk The election was seen as a fight between the SNP's fundamentalists, who Neil represented, and gradualists, who Swinney represented.BBC News SNP Tussle for the top https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/uk_politics/2000/conferences/snp/865888.stm 2022-07-15 news.bbc.co.ukBBC News SNP John Swinney: My message https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/852432.stm 2022-07-15 news.bbc.co.ukBBC News SNP Alex Neil: My message https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/852513.stm 2022-07-15 news.bbc.co.uk Both campaigns disagreed on the approach of gaining Scottish independence, and these differing views, would dominate the leadership of Swinney.BBC News SCOTLAND SNP leadership race narrows https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/849531.stm 2022-07-15 news.bbc.co.uk thumb|John Swinney served as leader from 2000 until his resignation in 2004 Swinney led the SNP through the 2001 UK General election and the 2003 election to the 2nd Scottish Parliament. In both elections, the SNP performed poorly and the media raised some doubt about his ability to lead the party. In the aftermath of the SNP's poor election performance in 2003, Bill Wilson, a party activist, became convinced that a change of direction was needed by the SNP leadership. After discussing this with various SNP members, he was persuaded to contest the leadership himself and launched a challenge against the Swinney.2003-05-02 SNP lose out at the polls en-GB https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/2994799.stm 2022-07-152003-07-25 Swinney will defend leadership en-GB https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3095193.stm 2022-07-15 Wilson ran a campaign attacking Swinney's proposals for party reform, which he claimed would centralise power and impoverish local branches. Wilson also challenged Swinney to a series of debates, although Swinney refused to take part.2003-08-14 Leadership challenger slams Swinney en-GB https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/3152355.stm 2022-07-15 Wilson also attacked what he saw as the "New Labourization" of the party, and argued that the party was more effective at pressuring Labour into changing positions on issues, rather than actively seeking power itself.Mitchell James https://books.google.com/books?id=XNnW9CJVKmwC&dq=2003+SNP+election+bill+wilson&pg=PA39 The Scottish National Party: Transition to Power Bennie Lynn Johns Rob 2012 9780199580002 39 The election was also yet another fight between the party's Fundamentalists and gradualists, with Wilson attacking Swinney's proposal for a referendum on independence before pursuing negotiations with the British government. Wilson argued that as soon as the SNP can form a government it should pursue negotiations to end the union. Roseanna Cunningham called Wilson was a "stalking horse" candidate put forward to "weaken and damage" the leadership.Campbell Kirsten 27 September 2003 SNP leader looks to the future BBC News https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3145342.stm 10 July 2017 The election was held at the party's 69th annual conference, and saw Swinney winning a massive victory over Wilson. Moves in support of Wilson's proposition of pursuing independence negotiations without a referendum were thrown out at the party conference, and Swinney won significant policy battles over imposing a monthly levy on party MP's, MSP's, and MEP's. In a surprise result, the new central membership system was also approved. The membership changes had been a key issue of attack from Wilson. This was the last SNP election to use the delegate voting method. Future elections would be based on a one-person-one-vote postal vote system.Quinn Thomas https://books.google.com/books?id=rvK9hZWRPLEC&dq=2004+SNP+election&pg=PT146 Electing and Ejecting Party Leaders in Britain 7 February 2012 9780230362789 Following a disappointing European election result in 2004, which saw the party dropping to less than 20% of the vote, senior figures within the SNP began privately briefing against Swinney. Gil Paterson, a former MSP for Central Scotland was the first to call for Swinney's departure, with Michael Russell, a former potential campaign manager for Swinney calling for a change in approach from the SNP. Members of the SNP shadow cabinet began privately discussing removing Swinney from the leadership, and Alex Salmond advised Swinney to resign in exchange for senior party figures not calling openly for his resignation. He resigned on 22 June 2004 triggering a leadership contest.23 June 2004 Euro poll was breaking point for Swinney The Scotsman http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/euro-poll-was-breaking-point-for-swinney-1-5362222004-06-22 Under-fire SNP leader resigns en-GB https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/3828657.stm 2022-07-15 2004 leadership election 2004 Scottish National Party leadership election Following the resignation of Swinney, the 2004 SNP leadership contest was held to elect a new leader. Roseanna Cunningham was the first to launch her leadership campaign and she was shortly followed by Sturgeon and Michael Russell.2004-06-22 SNP deputy bids for leadership en-GB https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/3830037.stm 2022-07-142004-06-24 Sturgeon contests SNP leadership en-GB https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3835951.stm 2022-07-14English Shirley SNP fight turns personal as Russell decides The Times en https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/scotland-travel/snp-fight-turns-personal-as-russell-decides-plc2tttqsh2 2022-07-14 0140-0460 Alex Neil, who ran in the previous election against Swinney, considered running again for party leader, although later pulled out of the race.Rafferty Neil 4 July 2004 Neil pulls out of race for SNP leadership The Times http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/article112117.ece dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150529142354/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/article112117.ece 29 May 2015 Neil blamed Alex Salmond for "vetoing" his candidacy, and claimed that both Salmond and Fergus Ewing had stated they would refuse to work with him were he to have been elected. Neil claimed that this treatment was in line with the treatment of him and his supporters since the 2000 leadership election. The fight over who was to succeed Swinney saw the re-emergence of former leader Alex Salmond, who entered the race despite having repeatedly denied any ambitions to run. Most famously, Salmond quipped in June 2004 that "If nominated I'll decline. If drafted I'll defer. And if elected I'll resign."Salmond launches leadership bid BBC News https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/3895575.stm Salmond launched his campaign less than a month later, on 15 July. After Salmond announced his campaign for the leadership, Sturgeon dropped her bid, and ran instead for the Deputy Leadership. The two ran on a joint campaign. Kenny MacAskill dropped his bid for Deputy Leader, and gave his support to Sturgeon. The results were announced on 3 September; Salmond defeated Cunningham and Russell, with more than 75% of votes.2004-06-30 1 July 2004 en-GB https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/question_time/3851117.stm 2022-07-142004-06-28 Russell joins SNP leader battle en-GB https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/3844769.stm 2022-07-14 Sturgeon was elected as Depute Leader, after defeating Fergus Ewing and Christine Grahame.http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2004/sep/declaration-leadership-election-results Declaration of Leadership Election ResultsJuly 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes As Salmond was still an MP in the British House of Commons, Sturgeon led the SNP in the Scottish Parliament as leader of the largest opposition party until the 2007 election.3 September 2004 Salmond named as new SNP leader https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3622728.stm SNP in government; 2007 to 2014 Premiership of Alex Salmond First Salmond government Second Salmond governmentIn the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, the SNP emerged as the largest party, one seat more than the incumbent Scottish Labour administration led by Jack McConnell.2007-05-05 SNP begins coalition discussions en-GB https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/6627589.stm 2022-09-21 After unsuccessful attempts to form a coalition with the Scottish Liberal Democrats, the SNP formed a minority government with the confidence and supply of the Scottish Greens.2007-05-09 Greens lobby Lib Dems to accept SNP coalition https://www.politics.co.uk/news/2007/05/09/greens-lobby-lib-dems-to-accept-snp-coalition/ 2022-09-21 Politics.co.uk en-US2007-05-06 Lib Dems will not do Labour deal en-GB https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/6629775.stm 2022-09-21 For the first time since the Parliament's incarceration in 1999, the SNP entered government with Salmond as First Minister of Scotland.18 May 2007 Former minister returns to join Scottish shadow cabinet http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/may/18/scotland.devolution the GuardianHow Labour Lost the 2007 Holyrood election https://www.heraldscotland.com/default_content/12766572.labour-lost-2007-holyrood-election/ 2022-09-21 HeraldScotland en Salmond made attempts to pass legislation for a referendum on Scottish independence, however, the party's minority and a lack of pro-independence parties failed to obtain support. Salmond pledged to hold an independence referendum if the SNP won another term in office.Stuart Gavin 14 April 2011 SNP launch 'Re-elect' manifesto with independence referendum vow STV http://news.stv.tv/scotland/243521-snp-launch-manifesto-with-50m-fund-for-young-scots/ live 17 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20110831091242/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/243521-snp-launch-manifesto-with-50m-fund-for-young-scots/ 31 August 2011 In the 2011 Scottish Parliament election, the SNP won an overwhelming single party majority.Carrell Severin 6 May 2011 Stunning SNP election victory throws spotlight on Scottish independence The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/may/06/snp-election-victory-scottish-independence live 2 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20131205050108/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/may/06/snp-election-victory-scottish-independence 5 December 2013 Salmond was re-elected as First Minister and pushed for his manifesto commitment on a referendum.10 January 2012 Salmond calls for independence referendum in 2014 BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16478121 live 13 November 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131009055158/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16478121 9 October 2013 2014 Scottish independence referendum 2014 Scottish independence referendumAn agreement was signed on 15 October 2012 by David Cameron and Salmond which provided a legal framework for the referendum to be held,Black Andrew 15 October 2012 Scottish independence: Cameron and Salmond strike referendum deal BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19942638 live 2 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140207114033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19942638 7 February 2014 and on 21 March 2013 the SNP government announced that the referendum would be held on 18 September 2014.Carrell Severin 21 March 2013 Alex Salmond announces Scottish independence referendum date The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/mar/21/scottish-independence-referendum-date live 13 November 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131114004334/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/mar/21/scottish-independence-referendum-date 14 November 2013 Scotland's Future, a white paper setting out the Scottish Government's vision for an independent Scotland, was published on 26 November 2013.26 November 2013 Sturgeon says Scotland's Future now 'drives the debate' Democracy Live BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/scotland-25107344 live 26 November 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131129133853/http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/scotland-25107344 29 November 2013Dinwoodie Robbie 27 November 2013 Salmond gets ball rolling as opponents put the boot in The Herald Newsquest Glasgow http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/salmond-gets-ball-rolling-as-opponents-put-the-boot-in.22802221 live 27 November 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131201064636/http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/salmond-gets-ball-rolling-as-opponents-put-the-boot-in.22802221 1 December 2013 thumb|Alex Salmond delivering his resignation speech as First Minister Resignation of Alex Salmond On 19 September 2014, following the results of the independence referendum which confirmed a majority of the Scottish people had voted against independence, Salmond announced that he would be resigning as First Minister in November 2014.19 September 2014 Salmond to quit as First Minister BBC News Scotland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29277527 live 19 September 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140919152008/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29277527 19 September 2014 My time as leader is nearly over, but for Scotland, the campaign continues and the dream shall never die. Alex Salmond Campaign On 24 September 2014, Sturgeon officially launched her campaign to be the next leader of the SNP in Glasgow.2014-09-24 Nicola Sturgeon launches campaign to succeed Alex Salmond http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/24/nicola-sturgeon-campaign-succeed-alex-salmond-snp 2022-10-01 the Guardian en Candidates Nominated CandidatePolitical office CampaignDate declaredCampaign progressionRef. Reference(s)150x150pxNicola SturgeonDeputy First Minister of Scotland (2007–2014)Depute Leader of the SNP (2004–2014)162x162px24 September 2014Elected unopposed2014-09-24 Nicola Sturgeon launches campaign to succeed Alex Salmond http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/24/nicola-sturgeon-campaign-succeed-alex-salmond-snp 2022-09-30 the Guardian en Declined The following MSPs were speculated by the media to run for leadership of the SNP but subsequently declined to stand: Roseanna Cunningham, MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, Minister for Community Safety2014-09-20 Roseanna Cunningham rules out SNP leadership bid https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/roseanna-cunningham-rules-out-snp-leadership-bid-1525742 2022-09-30 www.scotsman.com enRoseanna Cunningham rules out leadership bid https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13180974.roseanna-cunningham-rules-leadership-bid/ 2022-09-30 HeraldScotland en Alex Neil, MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing (endorsed Sturgeon)Dailyrecord.co.uk 2014-09-21 Path cleared for Sturgeon to replace Salmond as SNP leader https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/next-snp-leader-path-cleared-4298922 2022-09-30 Daily Record en2014-09-21 Scottish referendum: Nicola Sturgeon edges closer to SNP leadership https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-referendum-nicola-sturgeon-edges-closer-to-snp-leadership-9746536.html 2022-09-30 The Independent en Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (endorsed Sturgeon)Mike Russell: I'm not standing, but I back Nicola and want to stay in education post https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13181579.mike-russell-not-standing-back-nicola-want-stay-education-post/ 2022-09-30 HeraldScotland en John Swinney, MSP for Perthshire North, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth (endorsed Sturgeon)2014-07-27 John Swinney rules out SNP leadership https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/john-swinney-rules-out-snp-leadership-1530588 2022-09-30 www.scotsman.com enDelighted @NicolaSturgeon will contest @theSNP leadership. She has all the fine qualities to take Scotland's cause forward. #TeamSturgeon https://twitter.com/johnswinney/status/514675460882833408 2022-09-30 Twitter en Humza Yousaf, MSP for Glasgow, Minister for Europe and International Development (endorsed Sturgeon)For all journalist that are still calling about leadership let me be clear: No ifs, no buts, no mibbees - I am #TeamSturgeon https://twitter.com/humzayousaf/status/513594788130861056 2022-09-30 Twitter en Endorsements Nicola Sturgeon Members of the Scottish Parliament Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Cabinet Secretary for Training, Youth and Women’s EmploymentAlthough @NicolaSturgeon reminds everyone at every opportunity that I am 4 dys older than her I am delighted she is going 4 it #TeamSturgeon https://twitter.com/aconstancesnp/status/514720087291756544 2022-10-01 Twitter en James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart@NicolaSturgeon being interviewed by @TannadiceLad after her SNP leadership launch. #TeamSturgeon https://twitter.com/glasgowcathcart/status/514714366328188928 2022-10-01 Twitter en Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs2014-09-21 Scottish ministers 'back Sturgeon as next first minister' en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29297949 2022-10-01 Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, Minister for Public HealthDelighted that @NicolaSturgeon will stand as leader of the @theSNP Nicola will be a fantastic FM. #TeamSturgeon #movingscotlandforward https://twitter.com/mathesonmichael/status/514702991291867136 2022-10-01 Twitter en Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Cabinet Secretary for Justice Christina McKelvie, MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse@NicolaSturgeon Delighted to offer my support to #TeamSturgeon go get them girl..... https://twitter.com/christinasnp/status/514711566772883456 2022-10-01 Twitter en Alex Neil, MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Shona Robison, MSP for Dundee City East, Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games, Sport, Equalities and Pensioners' Rights Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning John Swinney, MSP for Perthshire North, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable GrowthDelighted @NicolaSturgeon will contest @theSNP leadership. She has all the fine qualities to take Scotland's cause forward. #TeamSturgeon https://twitter.com/johnswinney/status/514675460882833408 2022-10-01 Twitter en Humza Yousaf, MSP for Glasgow, Minister for Europe and International DevelopmentExcited today! Isn't a deputy in world that shown loyalty & commitment of @NicolaSturgeon over last decade let's get #TeamSturgeon trending! https://twitter.com/humzayousaf/status/514671234727292928 2022-10-01 Twitter en Members of Parliament Stewart Hosie, MP for Dundee EastWe'll done to @NicolaSturgeon #TeamSturgeon for a great @theSNP leadership launch - and a for long and successful leadership. #voteSNP https://twitter.com/stewarthosiesnp/status/514748330518532096 2022-10-01 Twitter en Angus MacNeil, MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar@Grahame_Case @NicolaSturgeon @theSNP yep I m backing Nicola too. :) she is 2 days older than me but light years ahead :)) #TeamSturgeon https://twitter.com/angusmacneilsnp/status/514709086081134593 2022-10-01 Twitter en Angus Robertson, MP for Moray, Leader of the SNP in the British House of CommonsFantastic to have the leadership qualities of @NicolaSturgeon taking @theSNP forward as membership soars #TeamSturgeon https://twitter.com/angusrobertson/status/514686411287830528 2022-10-01 Twitter en Mike Weir, MP for AngusCompelling speech from Nicola. Go #TeamSturgeon! https://twitter.com/mikeweirsnp/status/514785965702123521 2022-10-01 Twitter en Individuals Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, SNP activist, businesswoman, actress and lawyer@NicolaSturgeon will lead our ambitious nation into the future. Nicola,it's time! #movingscotlandforward #TeamSturgeon https://twitter.com/tasminasheikh/status/514700909079977984 2022-10-01 Twitter en Martin Docherty-Hughes, SNP activist@NicolaSturgeon you must have the magic touch, Dad, 80 just joined @theSNP never to late!! #TeamSturgeon https://twitter.com/martinjdocherty/status/514791016357195776 2022-10-01 Twitter en Stewart McDonald, SNP activistHard working, ear to the ground, widely respected and more than able to take the fight to Labour. Can only be @NicolaSturgeon #TeamSturgeon https://twitter.com/stewartmcdonald/status/514649986714587136 2022-10-01 Twitter en Stefan Tymkewycz, former MSPI was gobsmacked when @theSNP membership passed 50K, it's now 60,000+. That's 35K new members in 6days. Change is happening #TeamSturgeon https://twitter.com/stefantymkewycz/status/514786912440446976 2022-10-01 Twitter en Leadership election SNP depute leader and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was widely tipped as the favourite to succeed Salmond after the election.Dickie Muir https://www.ft.com/content/ab8b5baa-41aa-11e4-b98f-00144feabdc0 Nicola Sturgeon looks set to become first female Scottish leader Financial Times 21 September 2014 21 September 2014 She was backed by a number of Scottish government ministers, including Alex Neil and Humza Yousaf,http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/poll-tips-snp-as-winners-in-next-scottish-election.1411301431 Poll tips SNP as winners in next Scottish election 21 September 2014 21 September 2014 and former SNP leader Gordon Wilson.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-referendum-nicola-sturgeon-edges-closer-to-snp-leadership-9746536.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-referendum-nicola-sturgeon-edges-closer-to-snp-leadership-9746536.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Cusick James Scottish referendum: Nicola Sturgeon edges closer to SNP leadership following Alex Salmond's resignation 21 September 2014 21 September 2014 Sturgeon officially launched her campaign bid to succeed Salmond on 24 September 2014.Severin Carrell https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/24/nicola-sturgeon-campaign-succeed-alex-salmond-snp Nicola Sturgeon launches campaign to succeed Alex Salmond | Politics The Guardian 24 September 2014 2015-08-27Cramb Auslan https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/11117913/Nicola-Sturgeon-predicts-independence-one-day-as-she-launches-bid-to-replace-Alex-Salmond.html Nicola Sturgeon predicts independence 'one day' as she launches bid to replace Alex Salmond Telegraph 2014-09-24 2015-08-27 On 15 October 2014, the SNP confirmed that Sturgeon was the only candidate for the leadership, and therefore de facto leader-in-waiting. It had been obvious even before then that no one else would garner enough nominations to make a viable bid for the post. She was formally acclaimed as the party's first female leader at the SNP Autumn Conference on 14 November 2014.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30011423 SNP conference: Nicola Sturgeon appointed party leader - BBC News Bbc.co.uk 2014-11-14 2015-08-27 This all but assured her formal election as First Minister on 19 November 2014. Deputy leadership election Three people, Angela Constance,https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/msp-angela-constance-enters-race-4355615 MSP Angela Constance enters race to become next SNP deputy leader Daily Record 2014-10-01 2015-08-27 Keith Brownhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scottish-independence/11122266/Keith-Brown-and-Stewart-Hosie-stand-for-SNP-deputy-leadership.html Keith Brown and Stewart Hosie stand for SNP deputy leadership Telegraph 2015-08-27 and Stewart Hosie launched bids to succeed Sturgeon as SNP Depute Leader. Constance said that she would not seek to become Deputy First Minister to Sturgeon, even if she was elected Deputy Leader.Scott Macnab http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/angela-constance-i-know-why-yes-campaign-failed-1-3559358 Angela Constance: 'I know why Yes campaign failed' The Scotsman 2014-10-01 2015-08-27 The results were announced at the conference, with Hosie polling 42.2%, Brown on 34.2% and Constance on 23.5% in the first round of the single transferable vote election. In the second round, Hosie was elected after getting 55.5% of votes following the elimination of Constance. The Depute Leadership election had a turnout of 55.7%.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30052173 SNP conference: Hosie elected SNP deputy leader - BBC News Bbc.co.uk 2014-11-14 2015-08-27 With Hosie serving in Westminster, John Swinney was appointed as Deputy First Minister when Sturgeon took office on 19 November. + First round Candidate Votes Votes % Stewart Hosie N/A 42.2 FFFF00 42.2% Keith Brown N/A 34.2 FFFF00 34.2% Angela Constance N/A 23.5 FFFF00 23.5% + Second round Candidate Votes Votes % Stewart Hosie 18,915 55.5 FFFF00 55.5% Keith Brown 15,150 44.4 FFFF00 44.4% References Category:2010s elections in Scotland Category:2014 in British politics Category:2014 in Scotland Category:Nicola Sturgeon 2014 Category:Uncontested political party leadership elections in the United Kingdom Category:2014 political party leadership elections in the United Kingdom