SNP OFFERS ONLY REAL ALTERNATIVE TO WESTMINSTER MACHINE

SNP OFFERS ONLY REAL ALTERNATIVE TO WESTMINSTER MACHINE

SALMOND - "PROSPECT OF BALANCED PARLIAMENT MOVES ELECTION IN SCOTLAND'S
DIRECTION"

SNP Leader and Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond today (Sunday) said
the SNP offers the only real alternative at the forthcoming General
Election.

Mr Salmond, who is stepping down as MP for Banff and Buchan after 23
years, was joined by his successor as SNP candidate for the constituency,
Dr Eilidh Whiteford, and neighbouring Gordon constituency candidate,
Richard Thomson, in a rally of local supporters.

In his speech, Mr Salmond will say:

"For 23 years, I have been a Member of a Parliament dominated by a cosy
Westminster arrangement among the London parties.

"All three want to waste billions on obscene nuclear weapons - stored here
in Scotland - as they slash Scotland's budget, putting at risk Scottish
jobs and our cherished public services.

"All three London parties have played starring roles in the scandals which
have totally discredited the Westminster parliament. From dodgy donors to
duck houses and cash for access to cash for peerages, the UK parties are
implicated.

"And all three are denying the people of Scotland a say over their own
constitutional future - despite backing referendums for just about
everything else.

"People are raging against the tired, grubby Westminster machine, but
Scotland doesn't have to be a cog in that machine. A vote for the SNP can
change the system and make it work for the people of Scotland, not against
them.

"Westminster has failed us and that is why we need a fresh start - a new
approach that will allow us to make the most of the opportunities that
exist in such abundance for our nation.

"In the past few days the prospect of a balanced parliament has come to
dominate the political agenda. Labour and Tory are now in a state of
panic. They fear this outcome because they fear the people.

"This weeked, David Cameron looked close to hysteria as he realised his
chances of a Tory majority was slipping away.

"For the old and tired parties, a balanced parliament is a difficult.
For Scotland, it is an opportunity.

"The success of the Scottish Parliament demonstrated that a balanced
parliament can achieve far more than unbalanced one party rule at
Westminster.

"On polling day it is the people not the politicians who have the power
and at this election the people can give real power to Scotland by voting
SNP. A vote for the SNP here, and Plaid Cymru in Wales, is what will help
create the balanced parliament - and what will open the door for big wins
for the people of Scotland in that parliament.

"The opportunities for Scotland are not with a vote for the London parties
- Tweedledee, Tweedledum or for that matter the Tweedledems - they are
with the local and national SNP champions who will always put Scotland
first.

"The people want an alternative to the cosy London consensus. In Scotland,
the way to achieve this is with the SNP and in Wales with Plaid Cymru.

"The London parties think they can keep the SNP off the television
debates, but they cannot keep us out of the election. From our activists
at grassroots level to our high profile media appearances, we will make
this an election about what Scottish votes can achieve.

"Working in a Celtic Alliance with Plaid Cymru, we can secure a better
deal for Scotland and Wales.

"For too long Scotland has been short changed by the London parties.
But with a balanced parliament the issues that matter most to the people
here will come centre stage. The tide of this election is now moving
towards Scotland. Scotland can be the real winner of this election with
the SNP."