Cameron Brooks
Transport Minister Keith Brown has formally launched his bid to be the next deputy leader of the SNP.
The MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane is also seeking to become the next deputy first minister of Scotland.
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie – the party’s Treasury spokesman at Westminster – has also put his name forward.
Mr Brown, who also has responsibility for armed forces veterans issues, said his focus would be to work with party members to try and make Scotland as fair and prosperous as possible.
The SNP has seen its membership surge by tens of thousands in the days following the independence referendum which means it is now the third largest party in the UK.
Mr Brown, a former Royal Marine who fought in the Falklands War, was first elected to Holyrood in 2007 and said he was fully behind Nicola Sturgeon’s quest to become Scotland’s next first minister.
The 53-year-old, who was the leader of Clackmannanshire Council from 1999-2003, said: “I am asking members of the SNP to support my bid to become deputy leader of our party.
Mr Brown, who is in a relationship with Christina McKelvie, SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, said the increase in party membership had been exciting to see.
“I see the role of deputy party leader as one which would work with the membership, old and new, to move the party and Scotland onward,” the father-of-three added.
“I want to ensure that our vision of a fairer, more equal and prosperous Scotland is delivered.”
Mr Hosie, 51, who is married to Commonwealth Games, Sport, Equalities and Pensioners’ Rights Secretary Shona Robison, said he wanted to play a part in ensuring the SNP win as many seats as possible in the general election next year.
“If we maintain the campaigning efforts we have seen over the last two years and reach out to Yes and No voters alike, then we will send the largest ever number of SNP MPs to Westminster,” he added.
“I believe I can play a leadership role in that campaign and beyond.
“Which is why I am announcing today my intention to seek the nominations required to stand as a candidate for the post of deputy leader of the Scottish National Party.”