The Scotsman cartoon: Sturgeon SNP leadership

Nicola Sturgeon launched her bid to become the new leader of the SNP yesterday.

Illustration: Iain Green

When nominations for the post of SNP leader opened this morning Ms Sturgeon, who was already the clear frontrunner for the post, formally declared her candidacy.

She is now in line to become Scotland’s first female first minister, as well as the first woman to lead the SNP.

Nicola Sturgeon said becoming Scotland’s next first minister would be “the greatest honour and an immense responsibility” as she confirmed she was standing to succeed Alex Salmond in the job.

He announced his intention to resign from the positions of both SNP leader and Scottish First Minister within hours of seeing voters in last week’s referendum reject his dream of independence.

• Nicola Sturgeon launches SNP leadership bid