NICOLA STURGEON RECEIVES WARM WELCOME TO DUMFRIES ON SECOND DATE OF NATIONAL TOUR
SNP leader in waiting Nicola Sturgeon visited Dumfries on Friday on the second date of her tour of Scotland.
The Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party and Deputy First Minister – who will become the new party leader later this month – received a warm welcome to a packed Easterbrook Hall.
In her speech Ms Sturgeon pointed out that last week’s polls showing record high support for the SNP make it impossible for broadcaster’s to ignore the SNP during next year’s General Election TV debates.
She also made the commitment that if she becomes First Minister the Scottish Cabinet will meet in Dumfries early next year.
In a question and answer session chaired by South of Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine, Ms Sturgeon also addressed the recurring theme of the Westminster parties panicked vow to the people of Scotland – stating that the SNP’s job is now to ensure the other parties keep their promises on more powers for Scotland.
Ms Sturgeon’s visit came as a YouGov poll found she has a positive trust rating amongst Scottish voters compared to all the Westminster leaders who have double digit negative ratings.
Commenting Ms McAlpine said:
“I was delighted that the Deputy First Minister received such a warm welcome in Dumfries.
“The SNP’s membership has more than trebled since the referendum in Dumfries and Galloway so it was no surprise that there was standing room only in the Easterbrook Hall as hundreds of new activists gathered to hear Ms Sturgeon speak – as well as have their own voices heard about the future of our movement.
“People in Scotland know and welcome the fact that the SNP is listening to and engaging with people across the country as Scotland moves forward.
“It is only the SNP that will always put Scotland’s interests first and hold the Westminster parties to the promise of extensive new powers for Scotland that they vowed to deliver.
“I look forward to welcoming Nicola back to Dumfries in early 2015, when I have no doubt she will return as First Minister to hold a meeting of her Cabinet and to listen to the views of residents on so many of the important issues affecting the region.”
