SNP leadership candidates make their pitch as vote opens
The ballot for SNP members to vote for a new party leader opened at noon today - as the three leadership candidates have made their pitch on the SNP website.
All three candidates have prepared a short statement to accompany ballot packs, and the SNP hopefuls have recorded a short video for the SNP website.
SNP National Secretary Lorna Finn said: “The ballot for SNP members to vote for a new party leader is now open and the three candidates to become SNP leader have made their pitch to SNP members on our website.
“On my instruction Mi-voice is sending emails to all eligible party members this afternoon with a link that allows them to vote online, and anyone without a validated email address is automatically sent a paper ballot.
“All three of the candidates have engaged in a nationwide campaign.
"They’ve taken part in nine party hustings - eight of them covering every Scottish Parliamentary regional area.
"It’s been full houses across Scotland and tens of thousands more people have tuned in to SNP digital platforms to watch online.
“Never has there been so much interest in a party leadership contest in Scotland. So, I thank Kate, Ash and Humza for sharing their vision and plans and for all their efforts so far.
“The campaigns and tv debates continue but now the ballot is open, on a one member one vote basis.
"The ballot will remain open until noon on Monday, March 27.”
The statements can be read at