Alba Pairty

Alba Pairty Pàrtaidh Alba Alba Party
File:Alba Party.svg
Heid	Kenny MacAskill (ackin heidyin)[1]
Foondit	8 Februar 2021
Split frae	Scots Naitional Pairty[2]
Heidquarters	1 Lochrin Square 92–98 Fountainbridge Embro EH3 9QA
Membership  (2021)	4,000–4,100[3]
Ideology	Scottish nationalism[4][5][6] Scottish independence[7]
Colours	Blue and      white
Hoose o Commons (Scots seats)	0 / 59
Scots Pairlament	1 / 129
Local govrenment in Scotland	2 / 1,227
Website
www.albaparty.org
Politics o Scotland Political parties

The Alba Pairty is a Scots naitionalist an pro-unthirldom poleetical pairty in Scotland. The party wis foondit bi the retired telly producer Laurie Flynn, wi the umwhile first meenister o Scotland Alex Salmond taen ower as heid o the pairty. Salmond lenced the pairty's 2021 Scots Pairlament election campaign in Mairch 2021, wi the pairty aimin tae staun list-anely candidates. Twa Members o Parliament (MPs) in the Hoose o Commons defectit frae the Scots Naitional Pairty tae the Alba Pairty on 27t Mairch 2021, an twa-three ither heich-up feegures frae the pairty includin members in its govrenin body an umwhile MPs jynt the pairty wi-in days efter Salmond's annooncement.

Alex Salmond wis heid o the Scots Naitional Pairty (SNP) frae 1990 tae 2000 an frae 2004 tae 2014, an as first meenister o Scotland frae 2007 tae 2014. His deputy, successor as first meeenister an leader of the SNP wis Nicola Sturgeon, thit haes haud baith poseetions efter. Salmond owergied frae the SNP in 2018 efter accusations o sexual misconduct, thit he denied.^[8] Chairges made agin him in a follaein court case in 2020 war duin awa wi.^[9] Later on in 2020, the chance o Salmond heidin a new pairty supporting Scots unthrildom wis tawkit aboot, in the context o a fech atween Sturgeon an Salmond, thit acciused Sturgeon's "inner circle" for plottin agin him. Pollin duin in Julie 2020 reportit thit 40% o thae thit votit SNP at the 2019 general election wad back an unthrildom-supportin pairty backed bi Salmond.^[10][11]

The pairty wis foondit an registered wi the Electoral Commission bi the retired telly producer Laurie Flynn on 8 Februar 2021.^[12] Alba (pronounced [ˈal̪ˠapə] in Scottish Gaelic, Scots an Scots Inglis) is the Gaelic name for Scotland.^[13] It can be pronoonced /ˈælbə/ in Breetish Inglis an aw.^[14] On 26t Mairch 2021, Salmond annooncit at the pairty's election lench thit he haed jynt the pairty an wad become the new heid, taen ower fraw Flynn, efter "tawks wi Laurie an ithers frae ither list pairties" ower the weeks afore.^[15] Durin the annooncement o candidates, it got its first electit member, cooncillor Chris McEleny, thit haed served as the SNP group heid on Inverclyde Cooncil afore^[16] an an SNP candidate for the ingang 2021 Scots Pairlament election.^[17] The MPs Kenny MacAskill an Neale Hanvey, as weel as the umwhile MP Corri Wilson, jynt the pairty on 26t Mairch.^[18][19] The SNP's naitional equalities convener, Lynne Anderson, defectit tae Alba an aw.^[20] BBC Scotland's poleetical editor Glenn Campbell said thit the list o defectors tae the party included "thae thit fear thit gender self-identification for trans fowk haes a threat tae weemen's richts" as weel as politeecians thit personally support Salmond an his approach tae Scots unthrildom.^[21]

The pairty annooncit plans tae staun at least fower candidates for the list vote in ivery pairt o Scotland for the 2021 Scots Pairlament election.^[22] Planned candidates include Salmond staundin for the North East Scotland pairt as weel as umwhile SNP members Chris McEleny staundin for the Wast Scotland pairt, Eva Comrie for the Mid Scotland an Fife pairt (whair she wis the SNP candidate afore),^[23] an Cynthia Guthrie for the South Scotland region.^[15][24] Caroline McAllister, the SNP's weemen's convener an depute heid o West Dunbartonshire cooncil, jynt the pairty an wis annooncit tae be a candidate in the West Scotland pairt.^[25] The party endorsed votin for the SNP in the constituency vote while votin for the Alba Pairty for the list vote, tae mak siccar mair pro-unthrildom MSPs are electit.^[26]

On 26t Mairch 2021, the heid o Action for Independence, umwhile SNP MSP Dave Thompson, statit thit the pairty wad be stanudin doun aw thair candidates fur tae support Alba.^[27][28] Tommy Sheridan, an umwhile MSP an convictit perjurer thit haed been efter election as pairt o Action for Independence, jynt the Alba Pairty on 28t Mairch.^[29] On 29t Mairch, umwhile perfaisional boxer Alex Arthur wis annooncit tae be a list candidate, an umwhile SNP MPs George Kerevan an Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh an umwhile SNP MSP Jim Eadie jynt later that day.^[30][31]

Sturgeon an the SNP criticised the new pairty, speirin aboot Salmond's fitness tae tak public office acause o the sexual harassment claims agin him.^[32][33] Sturgeon said she thit wadnae hiv ony dealins wh Salmond unless he apologises tae the weemen thit haed accused him o harassment.^[34] Lorna Slater, co-leader o the Scots Greens, criticised the new party an aw, cawin it a "a party flung thegither bi a disgruntled ex-first meenister as pairt o his vendetta agin wir first meenister."^[35] Neil MacKay cawed the party "Trumpian" an "a hotchpotch o social conservatives an naitionalist fundamentalists" in his Herald column.^[36] The pairty wis criticised efter it wis kythed thit candidate Alex Arthur haed tweetit anti-vaccine statements an comments cawin Romanians as fat, usin the pig emoji an aw.^[37] The pairty war criticised mair as "cynical" for uisin women's rights as a campaign issue despite pittin forrit misleadin statements aboot ane o thair candidate's rowe in Glesga Ceety Cooncil's equal pay dispute, Salmond's history o complaints for inappropriate sexual conduct, an candidate Jim Walker referring tae Sturgeon as "a cow".^[38][39]

Durin the Alba Party's Weemen's Conference, Central Scotland candidate Margaret Lynch claimed thit the Scots Govrenment wis fundin LGBT rights groups thit wis wantin tae lawer the age o consent tae 10 year auld. The SNP cried this "awfu homophobic an no true" an Lynch wis condemned bi Scots Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie. Whan speired at bi The Scotsman whather no Lynch's poseetion wis the pairty's an aw, Alba refiused tae comment.^[40] Umwhile SNP cooncillor Austin Sheridan left the Alba party, cawin Lynch's comments "hideous" an statin thare wis "nae way a can be pairt o a party that tolerates sic views."^[41] Lynch made clear efter her comments in an airticle in The Times, whaur she kept claimin thit trans richts wad lat "sexual predators" intae weemen's bathrooms,^[42] an in The Scotsman repeatit her accusation thit LGBT organisations, thit gat '£2.8 mulȝeon o Scottish public funds' hiv signed a letter promuivin lawerin the age of consent tae 10 year auld.^[43] LGBT charity Stonewall hiv cawed on Lynch tae tak back her false allegation an apologise.^[44]

The pairty is Scots naitionalist, cawin for Scottish independence, as an "immediate necessity".^[45] The pairty descrives its aim tae build a "socially juist and environmentally responsible" Scotland.^[46]

Efter Salmond's announcement, eleven cooncillors jynt the pairty bi the end o March. Aw eleven haed been electit as SNP candidates, tho three haed awready left that pairty.^[47] Three cooncillors on Aiberdeenshire Cooncil jynt the pairty,^[48] alang wi twa on North Lanrikshire Cooncil.^[49] Aw candidates wis defeatit in the 2022 cooncil eleckions. In October 2023, Chris Cullen o Sooth Ayrshire Cooncil defeckit fae the SNP til Alba. In Mairch 2024, Karl Rosie jynt the Alba Party as weel, haein sat as ae independent on the Highland Cooncil aifter leain the SNP in Febiwar 2024.

1. ↑ "Alba Party will continue Alex Salmond's legacy, says acting leader". The Herald (in Inglis). 14 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
2. ↑ McCall, Chris (30 Mairch 2021). "Former SNP MP joins Alex Salmond's new Alba Party as defections continue". Daily Record (in Inglis). Retrieved 30 Mairch 2021.
3. ↑ Davidson, Peter (2 Apryle 2021). "Alex Salmond's Alba Party sees membership pass 4,000 as founder hails 'Scotland's new political force'". Daily Record. Retrieved 2 Apryle 2021.
4. ↑ Brooks, Libby. "Alex Salmond launches new independence-focused Alba party". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 Mairch 2021.
5. ↑ Brooks, Libby. "Scottish opposition offered easy hit by Alex Salmond party launch". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 Mairch 2021.
6. ↑ "Alex Salmond Will Lead a New Scottish Party Into May Election". Bloomberg. Retrieved 28 Mairch 2021.
7. ↑ Davies, Gareth; Sanderson, Daniel (26 Mairch 2021). "Alex Salmond returns to politics to lead new pro-independence Alba Party - watch live". The Daily Telegraph (in Inglis). ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 26 Mairch 2021.
8. ↑ "Ex-SNP leader Alex Salmond resigns from party" [Ex-SNP heid Alex Salmond resigns frae pairty]. BBC News (in Inglis). 29 August 2018. Archived frae the original on 1 Apryle 2020. Retrieved 27 Mairch 2021.
9. ↑ "Alex Salmond acquitted of all charges in sexual assault trial" [Alex Salmond acquitted fae aw chairges in sexual assault trial]. The Guardian (in Inglis). 23 Mairch 2020. Retrieved 29 Mairch 2021.
10. ↑ "Tommy Sheridan urges Alex Salmond to 'sweep up votes' with new Yes party" [Tommy Sheridan tells Alex Salmond tae 'sweep up votes' wi new Yes pairty]. The National (in Inglis). Archived frae the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 26 Mairch 2021.
11. ↑ "Quarter of Scots 'would back new pro-independence party led by Alex Salmond'" [Quarter o Scots 'wad back new pro-unthirldom pairty led bi Alex Salmond']. HeraldScotland (in Inglis). Archived frae the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 26 Mairch 2021.
12. ↑ "View registration - The Electoral Commission". search.electoralcommission.org.uk (in Inglis). Archived frae the original on 3 Mairch 2021. Retrieved 26 Mairch 2021.
13. ↑ Finnis, Alex (28 Mairch 2021). "What the word 'Alba', the name of Alex Salmond's new political party, means" [Whit the ward 'Alba', the name o Alex Salmond's new political pairty, means]. inews.co.uk (in Inglis). Retrieved 28 Mairch 2021.
14. ↑ "Alex Salmond says Alba Party will fill 'void in the independence cause'". channel4.com. Retrieved 22 Apryle 2021.
15. ↑ ^{a b} "Alex Salmond to lead new Alba Party into Scottish Parliament election" [Alex Salmond tae heid new Alba Party intae Scots Pairlament election]. The National (in Inglis). 26 Mairch 2021. Retrieved 26 Mairch 2021.
16. ↑ "Salmond launches rival party to SNP for Holyrood election" [Salmond lenches rival pairty tae SNP for Hailyruid election]. Greenock Telegraph (in Inglis). Archived frae the original on 27 Mairch 2021. Retrieved 26 Mairch 2021.
17. ↑ "Councillor McEleny, Chris". Inverclyde Council (in Inglis). Archived frae the original on 23 Januar 2021. Retrieved 26 Mairch 2021.
18. ↑ "MP Kenny MacAskill quits SNP to join Alex Salmond's Alba Party" [MP Kenny MacAskil lea's SNP tae jyne Alex Salmond's Alba Pairty]. The National (in Inglis). Retrieved 27 Mairch 2021.
19. ↑ "Second MP defects from SNP to join Alex Salmond's new Alba independence party" [Seicont MP defects frae SNP tae jyne Alex Salmond's new Alba unthrildom pairty]. Sky News (in Inglis). Retrieved 28 Mairch 2021.
20. ↑ @. "Neale Hanvey, Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath MP will stand for Alba Party in the mid Scotland and Fife seat. Also transferring is SNP National Equalities Convener Cllr Lynne Anderson @SkyNews" (Tweet) – via Twitter.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors leet (link) Missin or empty |user= (help); Missing or empty |number= (help); Missing or empty |date= (help)
21. ↑ "MP Neale Hanvey defects from SNP to new Alba Party" [MP Neale Hanvey defects frae SNP tae new Alba Pairty]. BBC News (in Inglis). 28 Mairch 2021. Retrieved 29 Mairch 2021.
22. ↑ "Alex Salmond launches new political party" [Alex Salmond lenches new poleetical pairty]. BBC News (in Inglis). 26 Mairch 2021. Retrieved 26 Mairch 2021.
23. ↑ Hawker, Luke (26 Mairch 2021). "Nicola Sturgeon humiliated as election candidate quits SNP for Alex Salmond's rebel party" [Nicola Sturgeon humiliatit as election candidate lea's SNP for Alex Salmond's rebel pairty]. Daily Express (in Inglis). Retrieved 26 Mairch 2021.
24. ↑ "Alba Party: Former SNP councillor quits to join Alex Salmond". www.scotsman.com (in Inglis). Archived frae the original on 27 Mairch 2021. Retrieved 26 Mairch 2021.
25. ↑ "The SNP's women's convener becomes latest politician to defect to the Alba Party" [The SNP's weemen's convener is latest politician tae defect tae the Alba Pairty]. The National (in Inglis). Retrieved 29 Mairch 2021.
26. ↑ Heffer, Greg (26 Mairch 2021). "Alex Salmond becomes leader of new pro-independence Alba Party ahead of Scottish elections" [Alex Salmond is nou leader o new pro-unthrildom Alba Pairty aheid o Scots elections]. Sky News (in Inglis).
27. ↑ "Action for Independence reveal candidates for Scottish Parliament election" [Action for Independence kythe candidates for Scots Pairlament election]. The National (in Inglis). Retrieved 28 Mairch 2021.
28. ↑ Barrie, Douglas (26 Mairch 2021). "Action for Independence stands down candidates after Salmond announcement" [Action for Independence stauns doun candidates efter Salmond annooncement]. www.standard.co.uk (in Inglis). Retrieved 28 Mairch 2021.
29. ↑ "Tommy Sheridan has joined Alex Salmond's Alba party" [Tommy Sheridan haes jynt Alex Salmond's Alba pairty]. www.scotsman.com (in Inglis). Retrieved 29 Mairch 2021.
30. ↑ "Boxer Alex Arthur to stand for Salmond's Alba Party" [Boxer Alex Arthur tae staun for Salmond's Alba Pairty]. HeraldScotland (in Inglis).
31. ↑ "Former SNP MP Kerevan becomes latest to defect to Alba Party" [Boxer Alex Arthur tae staun for Salmond's Alba Pairty]. www.expressandstar.com (in Inglis).
32. ↑ Swerling, Gabriella (27 Mairch 2021). "Nicola Sturgeon savages Alex Salmond as SNP MP defects to Alba" [Nicola Sturgeon savages Alex Salmond as SNP MP defects tae Alba]. The Telegraph (in Inglis). ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 Mairch 2021.
33. ↑ "MP Kenny MacAskill quits SNP for new Alba Party" [MP Kenny MacAskill lea's SNP for new Alba Pairty]. BBC News (in Inglis). 27 Mairch 2021. Retrieved 28 Mairch 2021.
34. ↑ Johnson, Simon (30 Mairch 2021). "Nicola Sturgeon: I will refuse to deal with Alex Salmond unless he apologises to accusers" [Nicola Sturgeon: A willnae deal wi Alex Salmond unless he apologises tae accusers] (in Inglis) – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
35. ↑ Brooks, Libby (28 Mairch 2021). "Second SNP MP defects to Alex Salmond's Alba party" [Seicont SNP MP defects tae Alex Salmond's Alba pairty]. The Guardian (in Inglis). Retrieved 28 Mairch 2021.
36. ↑ MacKay, Neil (30 Mairch 2021). "Neil Mackay: Salmond's Trumpian circus distracts Scotland from the issues which matter" [Neil Mackay: Salmond’s Trumpian circus distracts Scotland frae the issues thit actual maiter]. The Herald (in Inglis). Retrieved 30 Mairch 2021.
37. ↑ Hutcheon, Paul (30 Mairch 2021). "Boxer Alex Arthur apologises for "fat" beggars claim after being announced as candidate for Alex Salmond's Alba Party" [Boxer Alex Arthur apologises fur "fat" beggars claim efter being annooncit tae be candidate for Alex Salmond's Alba Pairty]. The Record (in Inglis). Retrieved 30 Mairch 2021.
38. ↑ Stewart, Catriona (30 Mairch 2021). "Catriona Stewart: Alba's cynical attempt to score women's votes is galling - but it may succeed" [Catriona Stewart: Alba's cynical ettlin tae git weemen's votes is gallin - but it micht succeed]. The Herald (in Inglis). Retrieved 30 Mairch 2021.
39. ↑ Webster, Laura (30 Mairch 2021). "Alba candidate Dr Jim Walker called Nicola Sturgeon 'a cow' after party launched" [Alba candidate Dr Jim Walker cawed Nicola Sturgeon 'a cow' efter party lenched]. The National (in Inglis). Retrieved 30 Mairch 2021.
40. ↑ "Alba candidate criticised for 'dangerous and irresponsible' claims about age of consent by charity" [Alba candidate criticised for 'dangerous an irresponsible' claims aboot age o consent bi charity]. The Scotsman (in Inglis). Retrieved 12 Apryle 2021.
41. ↑ Marlborough, Conor (13 Apryle 2021). "Former SNP councillor quits Alba Party amid 'hideous' claims against LGBT groups" [Umwhile SNP cooncillor lea's Alba Pairty efter 'hideous' claims agin LGBT groups]. The Scotsman (in Inglis).
42. ↑ Lynch, Margaret (15 Apryle 2021). "What I really said at the Alba Party conference" [Whit a actual said at the Alba Pairty conference]. The Scotsman (in Inglis). Retrieved 18 Apryle 2021.
43. ↑ Lynch, Margaret (19 Apryle 2021). "Alba is clear: rights of all women and trans people matter" [Alba is clear: richts o aw weemen an trans fowk maiter]. The Times (in Inglis). Retrieved 20 Apryle 2021.
44. ↑ Kelley, Nancy (12 Apryle 2021). "Stonewall statement on Margaret Lynch". Stonewall (in Inglis). Retrieved 24 Apryle 2021.
45. ↑ "About ALBA" [Aboot ALBA]. ALBA (in Inglis). ALBA Party. Retrieved 26 Mairch 2021.
46. ↑ "Salmond announces plan to stand for Holyrood as he launches Alba Party" [Salmond annoonces plan taw staun for Hailyruid as he lenches Alba Pairty]. Holyrood Website (in Inglis). 26 Mairch 2021. Retrieved 27 Mairch 2021.
47. ↑ "Open Council Data UK".
48. ↑ Beattie, Kieran (28 Mairch 2021). "Two former Aberdeenshire SNP councillors join Alba" [Twa umwhile Aiberdeenshire SNP cooncillors jyne Alba] (in Inglis). The Press and Journal.
49. ↑ "Two further SNP figures defect to Alex Salmond's Alba Party" [Twa mair SNP feegures defect tae Alex Salmond's Alba Pairty]. HeraldScotland (in Inglis).
50. ↑ "Alex Salmond to lead new Alba Party into Scottish Parliament election" [Alex Salmond tae heid new Alba Pairty intae Scots Pairlament election]. The National (in Inglis). Retrieved 28 Mairch 2021.