Latest news with #AlbaParty
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
'Get with the plan' and make indy a priority, Alba tell John Swinney
Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that the First Minister had not made urgent appeals about the constitutional question when the pair had spoken. Asked about his discussions with Swinney on independence, the Prime Minister told the BBC: 'Nobody's raising that with me as their first priority, certainly in the discussions I'm having with the First Minister. We're talking about jobs, energy, security and dealing with the cost of living crisis.' Kenny MacAskill (below), the leader of the Alba Party, said Swinney's 'first priority' must be independence. (Image: PA) He told The National: 'All of the issues that Sir Keir Starmer outlines are the very things people care most about. However, they can only be resolved with indepdendence. 'We are going to witness hundreds of jobs being lost on a weekly basis in the oil and gas industry. We have seen the closure of our only oil refinery at Grangemouth, and we have seen precious little in the way of renewable jobs coming our way. READ MORE: SNP respond to Keir Starmer's dismissal of second independence referendum 'Energy prices are still sky-high, despite Scotland being a net exporter of energy. 'All of this is because we do not have the full powers of independence. That is why it is our first priority – and why it should be the first priority for the First Minister too.' Elsewhere in the interview, Starmer (below) ruled out a second independence referendum during his premiership. MacAskill said this made it 'clear that independence can only be delivered via an election', saying the next Scottish Parliament election should be used as a 'de facto referendum'. He added: 'If the pro-independence parties unite, we can make Holyrood 2026 Scotland's independence election. No more cap in hand or 'Please, Sir Keir, can we have a referendum?' 'A majority of votes cast on the list for pro-independence parties must be the mandate for independence. A vote for Alba on the list can help deliver that mandate and deliver a supermajority for independence. 'It's time John Swinney got with the plan to transform our land – and not simply seek to mitigate the worst of UK Government policy.' The SNP were approached for comment.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Alba Party urges independence supporters to 'max the Yes vote' at Hamilton and Larkhall by-election
EXCLUSIVE: Kenny MacAskill compared this week's Hamilton by-election with the historic vote in 1967 that saw Winnie Ewing triumph. Alba has called for independence supporters to "max the Yes vote" at a crunch by-election this week. Kenny MacAskill, the party leader, stopped short of endorsing the SNP candidate in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency - but insisted the "cause of independence transcends everything". Alba have not entered the race in South Lanarkshire and are instead focused on rebuilding the party after a bruising leadership contest caused by the sudden death of Alex Salmond last year. MacAskill, a former SNP justice secretary, helped co-found the breakaway party with Salmond in 2021. He was named the new leader in March after winning a two-horse race with Ash Regan, Alba's sole MSP. The veteran Nationalist compared this week's by-election in Hamilton with the historic victory of Winnie Ewing in 1967. MacAskill said: "Winnie Ewing transformed Scottish politics and galvanised the independence movement with her stunning victory in Hamilton, 57 years ago. "She did so by relentlessly pushing the cause of Scottish independence - and highlighting the perversity of a country on the point of unparalleled wealth through the discovery of North Sea oil having so many of its people in poverty. "'Stop the World Scotland wants to get on' was her famous quip. It stands true today, but the oil wealth has been squandered, our refinery shut and the independence cause sidelined by the SNP. "Yet support for independence stands at levels never imagined in her time, and when Scotland stands on the verge of another energy bounty with renewables, but finds so many of its people facing fuel poverty. "Hamilton is again a political battleground. People are understandably angry with failing services, lack of housing and a falling standard of living. Sadly, some of the issues of concern rest not with London but a Parliament in Edinburgh - which Winnie was pivotal in securing. "Her vision, which appealed to so many then, was on a Scotland looking after the needs of its people in health, housing, jobs, crime and the quality of life. "The answer now, as then, is independence and the power to use our nation's wealth for our people. "The Alba Party stepped aside in this by-election out of respect for a well-loved local MSP. Our advice now, as it will be next year, is to max the Yes vote - but if that is unacceptable to many, given actions and incompetence, then at least not to vote for a Unionist party. "The cause of independence transcends everything. But the SNP have been warned that their failure to pursue our cause vigorously and their failings in office are damaging our cause."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Alex Salmond news and interviews on the former first minister
ALEX Salmond was a former first minister of Scotland who led the SNP twice, from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014. He first joined the party in 1973 and led the SNP into power when they won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007. Alex Salmond, who grew up in Linlithgow, died of a heart attack last year at age 69. Read on for all Alex Salmond news and interviews on the former first minister. As reported by The National, here is a selection of the latest Alex Salmond news stories. Alba will build on the strategy left by Alex Salmond Kenny MacAskill beats Ash Regan to be elected Alba leader Shock as Alex Salmond died without leaving a will Salmond served as the first minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014. He helped lead the Yes movement in the 2014 independence referendum and resigned as first minister shortly after the result. His then-deputy, Nicola Sturgeon, succeeded him unopposed. Salmond later formed the pro-independence Alba Party in 2021 and was the party's leader. He has been credited for turning the SNP from the fringes into the mainstream as he led them into power when they won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007. The party subsequently won an unprecedented majority in the election four years later, which paved the way for the referendum on Scottish independence. A post-mortem examination confirmed that the former first minister died of a heart attack. Salmond collapsed during a lunch in a crowded room with fellow participants at an event in North Macedonia in October 2024. The day before, he had given a speech at the Cultural Diplomacy Forum in Ohrid and participated in meetings the morning before his death. In a statement, Salmond's family said he was 'a devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle and a faithful and trusted friend'. The family's statement said: 'Alex was a formidable politician, an amazing orator, an outstanding intellect and admired throughout the world. 'He loved meeting people and hearing their stories and showed incredible kindness to those who needed it. 'He dedicated his adult life to the cause he believed in – independence for Scotland.' Salmond was married to Moira McGlashan for four decades. The couple did not have any children. Recent reports suggest that he did not leave behind a will. A source close to the family told The Times there is concern about the impact on the late SNP leader's widow, adding: 'There was shock among the family when it became clear that Alex hadn't left a will." Alex Salmond's sister is Gail Hendry, convener of Alba Borders. Gail and her daughter Christina backed Kenny MacAskill to be the leader of the Alba Party. MacAskill served in Salmond's cabinet and defected with him to his new party in 2021. Alex Salmond was accused of bullying colleagues when he led the Scottish Government in a BBC documentary that aired before his death. Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who was Salmond's deputy from 2007 to 2014, claimed she 'intervened' to stop Alex Salmond from bullying colleagues 'many times' and that he could be 'really rough on people'. Sturgeon (below) told the Financial Times: 'He would be really rough on people. Many times I intervened to stop him.' (Image: Gettty) The BBC documentary, Salmond And Sturgeon: A Troubled Union, which aired before his death, explored the broken relationship between Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond. It featured interviews from both former first ministers, who spoke about the public breakdown of their long-term political partnership. Hitting out at the documentary on X (formerly known as Twitter), Salmond described it as 'venomous bias' against Scottish independence. He said the documentary had 'plumbed new depths' and advised to 'turn it off after the first episode'. Salmond and Sturgeon's friendship began fracturing after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against Salmond while in office to both police and the Scottish Government. Sturgeon's government investigated the allegations, which led to a bitter split between them, with Salmond saying he 'seriously doubts' he will ever be on speaking terms with Sturgeon, according to the documentary. Salmond took legal action against the Government for its handling of the investigation into him and accused the Government of a plot against him. He was cleared of the allegations. Sturgeon had said that she mourned her relationship with Salmond after their friendship ended.
The National
4 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Alex Salmond: news and interviews on the former first minister
He first joined the party in 1973 and led the SNP into power when they won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007. Alex Salmond, who grew up in Linlithgow, died of a heart attack last year at age 69. Read on for all Alex Salmond news and interviews on the former first minister. Alex Salmond news As reported by The National, here is a selection of the latest Alex Salmond news stories. Alba will build on the strategy left by Alex Salmond Kenny MacAskill beats Ash Regan to be elected Alba leader Shock as Alex Salmond died without leaving a will Alex Salmond as first minister Salmond served as the first minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014. He helped lead the Yes movement in the 2014 independence referendum and resigned as first minister shortly after the result. His then-deputy, Nicola Sturgeon, succeeded him unopposed. Salmond later formed the pro-independence Alba Party in 2021 and was the party's leader. He has been credited for turning the SNP from the fringes into the mainstream as he led them into power when they won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007. The party subsequently won an unprecedented majority in the election four years later, which paved the way for the referendum on Scottish independence. Alex Salmond death A post-mortem examination confirmed that the former first minister died of a heart attack. Salmond collapsed during a lunch in a crowded room with fellow participants at an event in North Macedonia in October 2024. The day before, he had given a speech at the Cultural Diplomacy Forum in Ohrid and participated in meetings the morning before his death. In a statement, Salmond's family said he was 'a devoted and loving husband, a fiercely loyal brother, a proud and thoughtful uncle and a faithful and trusted friend'. The family's statement said: 'Alex was a formidable politician, an amazing orator, an outstanding intellect and admired throughout the world. 'He loved meeting people and hearing their stories and showed incredible kindness to those who needed it. 'He dedicated his adult life to the cause he believed in – independence for Scotland.' Alex Salmond wife Salmond was married to Moira McGlashan for four decades. The couple did not have any children. Recent reports suggest that he did not leave behind a will. A source close to the family told The Times there is concern about the impact on the late SNP leader's widow, adding: 'There was shock among the family when it became clear that Alex hadn't left a will." Alex Salmond sister Alex Salmond's sister is Gail Hendry, convener of Alba Borders. Gail and her daughter Christina backed Kenny MacAskill to be the leader of the Alba Party. MacAskill served in Salmond's cabinet and defected with him to his new party in 2021. Alex Salmond accusations Alex Salmond was accused of bullying colleagues when he led the Scottish Government in a BBC documentary that aired before his death. Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who was Salmond's deputy from 2007 to 2014, claimed she 'intervened' to stop Alex Salmond from bullying colleagues 'many times' and that he could be 'really rough on people'. Sturgeon (below) told the Financial Times: 'He would be really rough on people. Many times I intervened to stop him.' (Image: Gettty) Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon fall out The BBC documentary, Salmond And Sturgeon: A Troubled Union, which aired before his death, explored the broken relationship between Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond. It featured interviews from both former first ministers, who spoke about the public breakdown of their long-term political partnership. Hitting out at the documentary on X (formerly known as Twitter), Salmond described it as 'venomous bias' against Scottish independence. He said the documentary had 'plumbed new depths' and advised to 'turn it off after the first episode'. Salmond and Sturgeon's friendship began fracturing after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against Salmond while in office to both police and the Scottish Government. Sturgeon's government investigated the allegations, which led to a bitter split between them, with Salmond saying he 'seriously doubts' he will ever be on speaking terms with Sturgeon, according to the documentary. Salmond took legal action against the Government for its handling of the investigation into him and accused the Government of a plot against him. He was cleared of the allegations. Sturgeon had said that she mourned her relationship with Salmond after their friendship ended.
The National
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Ex-prostitute supports Ash Regan bid to criminalise buying sex
Alba Party MSP Ash Regan has introduced a member's bill at Holyrood which, if passed, would criminalise those buying sex, while decriminalising those selling it. The bill has attracted opposition from groups representing sex workers who say the law will put them in more danger by pushing the industry underground, increasing stigma and exposing people to more violence and poverty. But Fiona Broadfoot, who was forced into prostitution at the age of 15, spoke out in favour of the bill. Some sex workers have been arguing the law would make it harder to 'screen' potential clients. This can involve asking to see photo ID before meeting a client, asking for a link to their social media or even requesting references from other sex workers. READ MORE: Labour to cancel women's conference after Supreme Court's sex ruling If buying sex is criminalised, some have expressed fears that so-called "good clients" would disappear. But Broadfoot said she didn't understand how the bill would make the practice of prostitution more dangerous, as she insisted it is already 'the most dangerous life you could lead'. 'They don't have on their heads tattooed that they're going to rape you,' she said. 'These are ordinary men that live amongst us and prostitution is the most dangerous life to live. Every single man you meet could murder and rape you. 'Laws don't make that more dangerous. Men make that dangerous. 'Men's entitlement to do what they want to another human being for sexual gratification. 'I don't understand how it can be more dangerous. You meet a man, you meet him on a street corner, he comes in a brothel, why is a law saying to men that that isn't acceptable going to make it any more dangerous? 'It's the most dangerous life you could ever lead. Women are killed, women are raped, women go missing in the sex trade relentlessly and it is because of men, nothing to do with laws.' However, when Broadfoot's arguments were put to National Ugly Mugs, a charity working with sex workers, campaigners maintained Regan's (below) bill would only increase harm and push sex work further underground. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) 'Criminalising the purchase of sex doesn't protect anyone. It pushes sex work further underground, makes it harder for people to report violence, and forces those already at risk into even more dangerous situations,' a spokesperson said. 'NUM stands in solidarity with sex workers across Scotland who are calling for safety, not criminalisation. We hear every day what they need: access to justice, housing, healthcare, and a voice in the laws that shape their lives. This bill ignores that—and it puts lives at risk. 'It's therefore no surprise that opinion polling shows Scots overwhelmingly oppose Ash Regan's plans for the Nordic Model, alongside international organisations such as Amnesty, UN Aids and the World Health Organisation.' The proposals in Regan's bill follow the "Nordic Model" approach, which seeks to decriminalise selling sex but criminalise those who purchase it. The approach has now been adopted in Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Canada, France, Ireland, and most recently, Israel. Under the proposals, those convicted of buying sex could be fined up to £10,000 if the case was prosecuted in the sheriff courts – with these courts also able to impose jail sentences of up to six months. The bill would also quash historic convictions for prostitution and create a statutory right to support for leaving the trade. Currently, acts associated with prostitution, such as 'kerb crawling', public solicitation, and brothel keeping, are outlawed in Scotland. READ MORE: BBC under fire after hiding Reform UK politician's affiliations However, the sale and purchase of sex is legal, as is running online pimping websites. Broadfoot told reporters how she spent 11 years 'entrenched' in the sex trade, initially being 'trafficked' to London but also working in a brothel in Edinburgh. 'Every day I thought I would be murdered, every day I experienced rape, by ordinary men, ordinary men whose lives were not impacted for one second like the women and girls who were being used,' she said. 'I was criminalised, my perpetrators weren't, none of the men who bought me, none of them who trafficked me about and profited from me.' She added many of the men she dealt with had a 'lot of sexual deviant behaviour and fetishes', saying a 'big request was for me to put on a schoolgirl uniform'. Speaking about the men she encountered, she said: 'None of them were dirty old men in rain coats, not one of them. They were teachers, they were doctors, they were lawyers, no doubt MPs, no doubt police officers. 'They knew they could do exactly what they wanted with no accountability, and we were the ones left feeling like pieces of meat the end of the day.' Regan said she plans to try and get the bill passed before the end of this Parliament session and before the 2026 election. 'I don't want to live in a country where you can order women like a pizza, with no consequences for the people that do it,' she said.
