BY a slender margin of three votes - 49 to 46 - SNP leader Alex Salmond made history yesterday by being elected as Scotland's first Nationalist First Minister.

His victory, with the aid of votes from Scotland's two Green MSPs, will enable him to form a minority SNP administration at Holyrood.

"It's certainly going to be different politics, in the Parliament and in the government in Scotland," a clearly delighted Mr Salmond said afterwards.

"There are lots of challenges ahead and lots of opportunities."

It was, the new First Minister added, "a wonderful day."

Tory leader Annabel Goldie claimed that minority government was an exciting' prospect - but the dethroned Jack McConnell warned Mr Salmond that the post would be a tough gig'.

It promises to be an intriguing spell for Scottish politics, with voters keen to see what the Scottish National Party does in its first 100 days in power.

But what do you think Salmond should make his priority now that he is in power?

Should he try to rid Scotland of nuclear weapons, put more police on the streets, address anti-social behaviour, pledge more aid for pensioners, or concentrate on such public health issues as smoking, obesity, diabetes and Scotand's spiralling drink problem?

Would you like to see him make the economy his number one priority? Or climate change, public services, cleaner streets or public transport?

Or would you rather he focused on the long drive towards independence, despite his government's minority status?

Mr Salmond told MSPs yesterday: "Scotland is ready for change, ready for reform. We are a small nation but we have a big future. We also have some big challenges."

We invited you to give him some advice - and the results make interesting reading. From pensions to public transport - policies that matter to you William Hill, 66, retired, Motherwell: I would like to see him try and help pensioners a bit more and also spend money on improving the health facilities in the country. Mary Blacklaw, 47, nurse, Linwood: Now that Alex Salmond has been appointed First Minister I would like to see him lower prices on public transport so it's cheaper. Gavin Boyce, 19, apprentice, Coatbridge: More money should be spent on the environment and on renewable energy and decreasing carbon emissions. Gemma Murray, 16, student, Glasgow: I think that Alex Salmond should try and put more money into education as it would really help the country Euan Dodds, 28, doctor, Broomhill: I would like to see Alex Salmond instilling a bit more national pride into people and make people look out for others rather than just themselves. Shabaz Bakhsh, 24, IT support, East Renfrewshire: He should spend a bit more money on fixing and improving the roads. Mary Kane, 70, retired, Linwood: Better pensions and spend a bit more so pensioners are looked after and treated a bit better. It would also be good to see better health care. Aliah Kadan, 17, student, City Centre: Alex Salmond should put more money towards education. Now that he is First Minister he should do more about education and health. Scott Deacon, 18, apprentice, Cumbernauld: Salmond should put a bit more focus on actually implementing policies instead of just promising what his party is going to do. Nicola Townsley, 19, student, City Centre: Students should be able to get a bit more help with funding and their loans. I would also like to see him improve the health facilities in the country.