Keith Brown is the new SNP depute leader

Keith Brown has been announced as the SNP’s new depute leader at the party’s conference in Aberdeen.

The MSP won the contest with 55 per cent of the vote, which was decided by the single transferable vote system.

During his acceptance speech, Brown confirmed he will chair discussions on Scotland’s future at SNP National Assemblies and revealed plans to host roundtable meetings with civic Scotland, trade unions and business organisations.

He said: “It is a great honour to have been elected as the new depute leader of the SNP, and it will be a huge privilege to serve alongside Nicola Sturgeon our party leader.

“This is the party I joined more than three decades ago, the party I have campaigned for and the party I have been honoured to represent in local government, in Holyrood and as a cabinet secretary.

“Today, as I take on this new responsibility, our party is in good heart – and the polls show us in a commanding position at both Holyrood and Westminster, 11 years into office.

“While other parties bicker and fight we work hard to represent the people of Scotland and win their support.

“With the publication of the Sustainable Growth Commission’s report we have opened a new debate on how Scotland can move beyond the damage and despair of Brexit.

“It’s conclusions are clear: small, independent nations can be successful – and we should, we must, be optimistic about that potential.”

Brown, who is also Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, said in the coming months he would chair three national assemblies to discuss the report’s findings.