Salmond: Election launch

As the general election campaign continues to hot up, Alex Salmond has launched a campaign to secure a Scotland which is "modern, independent and free to prosper".

The SNP leader's move comes amid mounting evidence that all the main political parties have effectively kicked off their campaigning despite the predicted May 5 election remaining more than three months away.

Salmond pledged to take his campaign to all the people of Scotland.

"Over the next 100 days we will be cutting edge in our use of technology; we will be more creative, more effective and better informed," he said.

"In Scotland, we intend to be one step ahead of the London based parties."

He said the nationalists would set "no limits on our progress".

"This election is one of the most uncertain in Scotland's history and the most difficult to predict," he added.

"Today, our message to the people is clear: If Scotland matters to you, make it matter in May.

"Vote for Scotland's party and put Scotland back political centre stage."

Pensions

The SNP has pledged to deliver a "citizens' pension" without means testing.

The party is also hoping to capitalise on recent anger by announcing it will retain the Scottish regiments which face merger under Ministry of Defence plans.

Salmond went on to say that independence would allow Scotland to "win on the natural lottery" by securing North Sea oil revenues.

The SNP has pledged to create a Scottish oil fund -  which would create income greater than the revenue from North Sea oil.

The party is also pledging to remove Britain's unfair energy charges.

"The government seems to resent it when Scotland has a natural advantage - we see it as an opportunity for us all," he said.

The party hopes it can capitalise on disillusion on issues such as Iraq and the economy at the forthcoming general election.

SNP sources say the campaign will focus on foreign policy and the poor state of the Scottish economy under Labour’s stewardship.

Tax move

The party is also pledging to reduce corporation tax in a bid to allow Scotland to compete with countries such as Ireland and the new EU accession states.

But the broader issue of Labour's record in government could count against the SNP following recent data pointing to the expectation of good times ahead for the Scottish economy.

While Westminster expects a May election, speculation is growing that the prime minister could seek to wrong-foot his opponents by calling a snap election.

But Tuesday's launch comes amid speculation that the SNP may be flagging in the Westminster poll.

According to some predictions the Conservatives could be poised to run Labour close in more seats than the SNP.

Polling evidence also points to a slight downturn in support for the nationalists since Salmond returned to the leadership.

That has led to Labour fears that the Scottish Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats could mount a challenge to Labour.

But with Salmond quitting the House of Commons to head back to the Scottish parliament, some sources fear that party is set to lose its biggest hitter at Westminster when Scots go to the polls.