SALMOND PUTS FOCUS ON FUTURE AS SNP MARKS 75TH ANNIVERSARY.

SALMOND PUTS FOCUS ON FUTURE AS SNP MARKS 75TH ANNIVERSARY. The Scottish National Party has marked its 75th anniversary, renewing the Party's founding commitment to restore Scottish independence. In an email to the SNP's 15,000 members, SNP leader Alex Salmond said: "The last 75 years have seen Scotland and the SNP journey together. Throughout, we have always stood with and for the people of Scotland in achieving our nation’s ambitions. "The last two years have seen fresh landmarks in the SNP story, with the triumph at the last Holyrood election, including the election of the late and much missed Bashir Ahmad as the first Scots Asian MSP, and then last year’s epic by-election victory in Glasgow East. "When the party was founded few could have imagined the distance we have travelled in the years since, with an SNP Government now in place and an independence referendum planned for next year. "The sad loss of Neil MacCormick reminds those of us who have the privilege of serving in the first SNP Government, that without the support of the people, and the efforts of so many members over the decades, we would not be in the position we are today. It is that support and the strength and determination of the people of Scotland that will take us forward together. "Now it is time for the SNP and the people of Scotland to move into a new era, to look to the future, and to build the smarter, wealthier, and healthier Scotland that will take us forward to our rightful place as an equal and independent nation on the European and world stage."