Alex Salmond relaunched his political career yesterday with a boast that his party could hold the balance of power at the next General Election. The former first minister announced that he intends to stand for Parliament by seeking the SNP’s nomination in the constituency of Gordon. But he said his Scottish nationalists could emerge as power brokers if no party wins an overall majority in Westminster. Scroll down for video Alex Salmond, who quit as SNP leader hours after losing the independence referendum, said he would 'step up to the plate' and stand for election in the Gordon constituency. He announced the decision at the Buchan Hotel in Ellon (pictured)
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Former First Minister to stand for election in Gordon constituency
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Decision comes after he stood down in wake of independence referendum
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Insisted he would 'step up to the plate' for the 2015 general election
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But rules out the SNP working with a Conservative government
Returning as leader in 2004, he guided the SNP to a narrow Scottish election win in 2007 and then led a minority government as he became Scotland's first @placeholder First Minister.