Why did Alex Salmond want to be Scotlands First Minister?

Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond is our guest for a live webchat on Tues 15 Feb.Mr Salmond, who is MSP for Gordon, was first elected as MP for Banff and Buchan in 1987, and went on to become leader of the SNP in 2004 and an MSP in May 2007. He stood down as a Westminster MP in the last General Election to concentrate on his role as first minister. His minority government has just got its final budget before the Scottish elections through the Scottish parliament, after striking a deal with the Lib Dems to boost student funding.

When he's not working, Mr Salmond enjoys horse racing, football, golf and reading. We're very pleased to welcome him to Mumsnet. Please come and put your questions or, if you can't join him on Tues lunchtime at 1pm, post your question on this thread, as per usual.

Mr SalmondThere is much specualtion about the possible closure of RAF bases in Scotland. (I personally am very much of the opinion that the Westminster government want all the military out of Scotland). Given that the closures, convieniently aren't being announced until after the Scottish elections, if your party fails to win at the elections, will you urge and support the winning labour scottish government that will then be in power to fight the closures, or do you agree that at least one of the 3 needs to close?

Can you explain to me how reducing my daughter's contact with a teacher by 10% per week is going to "enhance" her education? Can you tell me why my local council, Argyll & Bute, seem to find it acceptable to close most of our smaller, rural libraries because Holyrood has slashed their funding. I voted SNP at the last election but am told that my villages' fabulous tiny library with it's incredibly hardworking librarian is not viewed as a priority.