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NICOLA Sturgeon has admitted she wants to be Scotland’s first female first minister – but says winning the independence referendum is her top priority.

Alex Salmond’s deputy yesterday spoke openly for the first time about her ambition of one day taking over his job at the very top of Scottish politics.

But she insisted all her efforts over the next six months will be focused on securing a Yes vote in the historic vote on September 18.

Salmond showed his faith in Sturgeon in 2012 by putting her in charge of the SNP’s vital referendum campaign.

Since then, her profile has rocketed as she has toured the country taking part in TV debates and addressing town hall meetings.

And she has lifted the lid on her vision for Scotland’s future – and her own personal ambitions – in a wide ranging interview with the Daily Record in her Holyrood office.

Sturgeon originally challenged for leadership of the SNP in 2004 following the resignation of John Swinney, who is now Finance Secretary.

However, she withdrew from the contest when Salmond made a last minute decision to stand and instead joined his ticket as deputy.

Now she has confirmed the worst-kept secret at Holyrood – that she has her eye on the job of first minister when Salmond eventually steps down.

“Well, I am a politician, I am in politics and I don’t think ambition is a bad thing,” she said.

“Anybody in any walk of life – if they are ambitious – wants to get to the pinnacle of their profession. So hypothetically, of course that is something I would like to think that one day I will get the chance to do.

“Will I ever get the chance to do it? Well, that is not ultimately up to me.

“It has been my philosophy on life all along that you focus on what you’re doing at any one time. If you spend too much time thinking about where you want to go, you take your eye off the ball on what you’re charged with doing at any given time.”

Just now, the ball Sturgeon has her eye on is persuading sceptical Scots that they should support the SNP’s independence plans.

She said: “I’ve been a believer in independence and a campaigner for independence throughout my entire adult life.

“I have always believed in it because I believe it is the key to building the kind of country I want to live in and the country I want to see for future generations.

“So given we have the opportunity in six months’ time to get the powers to build that type of country, I am not going to sit on the sidelines.

“For me, this is a massive opportunity for the country, I am very privileged to be playing a leading role in it and I want to give it everything I’ve got.”

Sturgeon was speaking just days after a Daily Record poll showed the SNP have closed the gap on the No campaign and would have the support of 45 per cent of all Scots who have made up their mind.

And the Glasgow Southside MSP believes the pro-independence arguments will convince more voters before the polling day.

She said: “As we get closer to the referendum, as people increasingly engage with the issues and think in very real terms about what it means for them and their families, I think you’ll begin to see support rise.

“There is still six months to go and I firmly believe that if we make the referendum about what I think it should be about – the kind of country we want Scotland to be and the tools we need to create that country – then I think we will win people over.”

The Record poll showed that men now marginally back independence but women remain opposed.

But Sturgeon predicted women would eventually be convinced and dismissed the theory that Salmond is a turn-off for female voters.

She said: “I don’t think the poll evidence bears that out at all. I don’t think it is an issue and I’m not just saying that as his loyal deputy.

“Strong leaders will always incur strong passions and opinions but I don’t think there is any particular difference in that between men and women when it comes to Alex. Poll after poll shows he is the most trusted politician of all in Scotland.”

She said women are just taking longer to weigh up independence.

Sturgeon added: “I think women take a very pragmatic view of things. For women generally it is much less about symbols of statehood and much more about ‘Will this lead to a fairer society?’

“For me, the debate is about what kind of society we want Scotland to be. About what kind of welfare state we want, what kind of economy we want, what we want to see in terms of pensions and the childcare provision we have.

“The more focus there is on these, the more I think we will win over people, and women in particular.”

Nicola on.. women in politics

“Generally there is a different critique applied to female politicians – from how you look to how you are characterised.

If you are a strong, assertive female in a debate, you are much more likely to be seen as ‘bossy’ and ‘nippy sweetie’ whereas a guy is ‘assertive’ and ‘robust’.”

Nicola on.. ..the polls

“I do think there is a strong sense that in particular groups of the population, perhaps, and in particular parts of the country the Yes campaign is much further ahead than the polls would suggest.”

Nicola on.. Britishness

“I don’t see the referendum as an identity issue. An independent Scotland will still be a member of the British Isles. There are aspects of British identity that I would associate with.

“My granny was English. This is not about a choice of identity or a choice of flag, it is about how you enable yourself to create the kind of country you want.”