MSP Keith Brown has launched his bid to become Deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party.

The Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP declared his intentions last Thursday, a week to the day of the independence referendum ballot.

The Nationalist told the Advertiser he had not considered running until he was approached by fellow party members just a few days after the vote.

He said, “I was approached by a number of people on Sunday following the referendum result. I was approached by a large number of colleagues and two thirds of the parliamentary group. I probably wasn’t aware I had that level of support. Given the experience I have, I believe I can do a good job and launched my bid last Thursday.” Mr Brown was first elected to Holyrood in 2007, having served as leader of Clackmannanshire Council from 1999-2003. He has previously been Housing Minister and currently holds the position of Transport and Veterans Minister.

In the past week since the referendum, the SNP has seen its membership rise to 70,000 – of which more than 40,000 are new members.

Mr Brown said his role, if he was elected as deputy leader, would be to ensure those new members had a voice.

He said, “The rise in membership which the party has been seeing over the last week has been exciting. 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.

“I want to ensure that our vision of a fairer, more equal and prosperous Scotland is delivered.” He added that he hoped to refresh the party in policy making and strategy.

Mr Brown added, “While I accept the result of the referendum, I believe that there is a clear majority for Scotland to have much greater powers. Westminster must meet their vow, and deliver.

“The SNP wants a better Scotland and as Deputy Leader I will help to deliver that.” As the Advertiser went to print, only one other candidate had put their name forward for Deputy Leader – Stewart Hosie, MP for Dundee East and the SNP’s Treasury spokesman at Westminster. It followed the decision by First Minister Alex Salmond to step down in November. Current Deputy Leader Nicola Sturgeon has already launched her bid to become leader.

UPDATE: Angela Constance MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Training, Youth and Women’s Employment, has since launched her bid to become Deputy Leader of the SNP.