A Scottish Government minister has appealed to the new "apostles for independence" to elect her as deputy leader of the Scottish National Party.

Angela Constance has sent a message to the tens of thousands of new SNP members who joined in the wake of the referendum that she will ensure "the hope of living in an independent Scotland and everything that it can deliver is never extinguished".

She acknowledged the need to engage with the Smith Commission on further devolution but said the SNP must remain "the party of independence" to meet the aspirations of its members.

She dismissed press speculation that the SNP could seek a unilateral declaration of independence in future without another referendum but said it will be "for the people to decide if, when, how and under what circumstances we consider our constitutional future".

The Almond Valley MSP launched her bid to replace Nicola Sturgeon as deputy leader in her constituency this morning, insisting she is motivated by a desire "to change the world for our children".

"In this constituency, like other constituencies right across Scotland, it was those with the least who voted Yes hand over fist," she said.

"The disenfranchised became voters, voters became activists and activists became apostles for independence.

"Those with least have seen the opportunity that independence has afforded them.

"They voted Yes out of hope, and if I'm elected as depute leader of the SNP, I will do everything to ensure that hope of living in an independent Scotland and everything that it can deliver is never extinguished.

"Tens of thousands of people across Scotland have joined the SNP in the last week and they have joined the SNP to campaign for independence.

"I will always argue for independence - no ifs, no buts - and if elected as deputy leader of the SNP I will ensure that the voice of our members, both old and new, is at the very heart of the SNP."

She added: "It's long been my position and that of the SNP that you can't become independent without that seal of approval as expressed in the referendum.

"The party has a lot to consider in the weeks and months ahead, and ultimately it will be for the people to decide if, when, how and under what circumstances we consider our constitutional future at some point in time."

She continued: "Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Government is absolutely right. We have to work with others to make progress but the Westminster parties made very significant vows about more powers for the Scottish Parliament.

"I want to see the Scottish Parliament with more powers as soon as possible and there is no disagreement from me on the approach that either the Deputy First Minister, the government or the party has taken with regard to the Smith Commission.

"But I joined this party more than 25 years ago because it was the party of independence, I remain a member of the SNP because it is the party of independence and tens of thousands of people have joined the SNP over the last week because they want to campaign for independence.

"We have to continue to campaign for independence head, heart and soul.

"Yes, we lost the election, but we live in a democracy and in a democracy you accept the result but you also have the right to continue to campaign for what you believe in.

"I'm very proud that the SNP is a very democratic party but what I want to ensure is that with our expanded membership that the voice of members, the voice of the rank-and-file is always heard at the very heart of the SNP."

Her message could find favour with the tens of thousands of new members who moved from Yes Scotland to the SNP in the immediate aftermath of the independence referendum and attained party voting rights before the cut-off point on September 23.

The deputy leadership election will be conducted by post and the successful candidate will be announced at the party conference in Perth next month.

Ms Constance was recently promoted to Cabinet Secretary for Training, Youth and Women's Employment in a move designed to increase female representation in the Scottish Cabinet.

With Ms Sturgeon almost certain to be appointed the next First Minister, Ms Constance's bid raises the prospect of two women taking the top two spots in government if she is chosen as Deputy First Minister.

Last week, Ms Constance grabbed headlines when she wore a pair of quirky court shoes to Holyrood.

Scottish transport minister Keith Brown and SNP treasury spokesman at Westminster Stewart Hosie are also in the running for deputy SNP leader.

Mr Brown has called for an SNP Youth Academy similar to the party's Women's Academy in an effort to engage younger members who came to the fore in the referendum debate.

He said: "Scotland's youth spoke out in the referendum and their voices should continue to be heard in the SNP as we continue to campaign for what's best for Scotland.

"We have to do more to encourage our younger members, not because they are the experienced campaigners of tomorrow but because they are the youth campaigners of today.

"There is an incredible energy and enthusiasm in Scotland's youth and it shone through in the referendum; the energy, imagination and ambition that came from them was inspiring.

"The SNP has to encourage that, help them to develop their ideas and give them space to be a creative engine of Scotland's future."