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| Former SNP leader Alex Salmond launches Alba Party to build new case for Scottish independence | Former SNP leader Alex Salmond launches Alba Party to build new case for Scottish independence |
| (2 months later) | |
| Alex Salmond has launched a new political faction to push for independence as the former Scottish National Party (SNP) leader plots legal action against the Scottish government’s handling of sexual harassment claims against him. | Alex Salmond has launched a new political faction to push for independence as the former Scottish National Party (SNP) leader plots legal action against the Scottish government’s handling of sexual harassment claims against him. |
| Speaking on Friday in a virtual press conference, Alex Salmond said he aims to build a "supermajority" for independence with the creation of the Alba Party (Alba is the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland), which will stand for election at the Scottish Parliament elections in May. | Speaking on Friday in a virtual press conference, Alex Salmond said he aims to build a "supermajority" for independence with the creation of the Alba Party (Alba is the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland), which will stand for election at the Scottish Parliament elections in May. |
| “Over the next six weeks we will promote new ideas about taking Scotland forward – giving primacy to economic recovery from the pandemic and the achievement of independence for our country,” Salmond stated. | “Over the next six weeks we will promote new ideas about taking Scotland forward – giving primacy to economic recovery from the pandemic and the achievement of independence for our country,” Salmond stated. |
| Salmond contended that as many as a million pro-independence votes could go to waste at the parliamentary elections in May, asserting that the creation of his new party could help turn those votes into seats and build a mostly pro-independence Scottish parliament. | Salmond contended that as many as a million pro-independence votes could go to waste at the parliamentary elections in May, asserting that the creation of his new party could help turn those votes into seats and build a mostly pro-independence Scottish parliament. |
| “If Alba wins regional list seats the wasted votes end. The number of independence-supporting MSPs in the Parliament could reach 90 or even more,” the former SNP leader claimed. | “If Alba wins regional list seats the wasted votes end. The number of independence-supporting MSPs in the Parliament could reach 90 or even more,” the former SNP leader claimed. |
| Despite his much-publicised spat with the current SNP leadership, Salmond said that a majority of pro-independence parties could call on UK PM Boris Johnson to allow another referendum. | Despite his much-publicised spat with the current SNP leadership, Salmond said that a majority of pro-independence parties could call on UK PM Boris Johnson to allow another referendum. |
| Salmond’s announcement comes as support for Scottish independence from the UK wanes from its highs of 2020. A Survation poll from mid-March said the country was split down the middle, with 51% favouring ‘no’ to independence. | Salmond’s announcement comes as support for Scottish independence from the UK wanes from its highs of 2020. A Survation poll from mid-March said the country was split down the middle, with 51% favouring ‘no’ to independence. |
| Support fell for both independence and the SNP as Salmond and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon engaged in a very public spat over the mishandling of sexual harassment complaints against the former SNP leader. Earlier this week, Salmond said he would launch more legal action against the Scottish government. | Support fell for both independence and the SNP as Salmond and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon engaged in a very public spat over the mishandling of sexual harassment complaints against the former SNP leader. Earlier this week, Salmond said he would launch more legal action against the Scottish government. |
| Sturgeon’s handling of the pandemic has also been questioned as its case rate exceeds the rest of the UK, while PM Johnson receives the plaudits for a well-orchestrated inoculation campaign. | Sturgeon’s handling of the pandemic has also been questioned as its case rate exceeds the rest of the UK, while PM Johnson receives the plaudits for a well-orchestrated inoculation campaign. |
| The first minister has said she would call for another independence referendum if she wins a majority in the May election. However, Johnson has already ruled out another referendum so soon after the last one. | The first minister has said she would call for another independence referendum if she wins a majority in the May election. However, Johnson has already ruled out another referendum so soon after the last one. |
| If you like this story, share it with a friend! | If you like this story, share it with a friend! |