ALEX Salmond said the Yes campaign of the summer of 2014 has been “reborn” in his Alba Party as it held its first policy conference.
The former First Minister also made a pledge yesterday to provide “practical answers to the hard questions” on currency, the border between Scotland and England and the transition to independence during the election campaign.
He accused those who have failed to back his idea of an independence super-majority of “ridiculous posturing”.
The Alba Party has unveiled 32 candidates who will stand only on the list and not in any individual constituencies, with the aim of achieving more independence-supporting MSPs.
Last week Nicola Sturgeon said any vote other than the SNP would be a risk and accused Salmond of being a “gambler”. She said: “I think he is seeking to ask people to gamble on the outcome of this election. I don’t think that is the right thing to do.”
In a speech before the party’s conference yesterday Salmond said: “Arithmetically, our argument for the independence super-majority is unassailable. More MSPs supporting independence – what’s not to like?
“Of course some people say they don’t – but why should independence-supporting colleagues not want there to be an independence super-majority?
“Why would they rather than the pro-independence numbers were lighter and the Unionist numbers heavier in the Scottish Parliament?
“That is in my estimation ridiculous posturing for any independence supporter, caused by the realisation that SNP votes on the regional list are the ultimate wasted votes.”
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Salmond said the reality is the cause of Scottish independence is “beyond party”, although it had to be recognised the SNP had done most of the “heavy lifting” in recent years.
He pointed to examples of the wider independence campaign, including the Yes movement in the summer of 2014 which “propelled the independence case forwarding a fashion which has never been achieved before”.
“That was not the preserve of the SNP and I would suggest one recent political movement which most resembles our new party,” he said.
“I would say the Yes campaign of the summer of 2014 is now reborn in political form in the ranks of Alba.”
On Friday the party’s founder Laurie Flynn announced around 4100 members had now joined in the first week since it launched – which he said was more than the LibDems.
However the first poll including the party – carried out for DC Thomson three days after the party launched – put list support at 3%.
Among those bidding to be MSPs for the party include MPs Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey, former SNP MPs Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh and George Kerevan, Councillor Chris McEleny and SNP Common Weal founder Craig Berry.
Yesterday’s conference was held for candidates to discuss the party’s policies around economic recovery from Covid, education and women and equalities.
Salmond added: “As our thinking comes forward on these matters – and on the constitution of an independent Scotland, on Scotland’s place in Europe and the world and on the practical answers to the hard questions on currency, on borders, on the transition to freedom – then Alba will make our mark in this election campaign.”
He said people wanted to talk about independence and be given assurances that “thinking has been done” on the framework for an independent Scotland.
“That is what Alba will inject into this election,” he added.
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