Senior Alba Members Offer to Lead Party for Scottish Election
Four senior members of the Alba Party have proposed taking over leadership to enable the pro-independence party to contest the upcoming Scottish Parliament election.
This development follows party leader Kenny MacAskill's announcement that Alba is unlikely to field candidates in May due to its "perilous financial position."
On Sunday, Tommy Sheridan, Angus MacNeil, Christina Hendry, and Suzanne Blackley issued a joint statement indicating that the current leadership "feel unable to continue."
However, MacAskill told BBC Scotland News that he remains the party leader and emphasized that any change in election plans must be financially viable.
The former SNP MP and MSP explained that Alba is currently "struggling to survive" and must prioritize settling its debts.
"At the present moment we don't have the money to meet the deposits required. We don't have the money for any campaigning. What we are requiring to do is to meet the bills that we have."
He further stated that a leadership change would require a "democratic mandate" and warned that any election campaign must include safeguards to prevent further debt accumulation.
"As it is, we believe we can get out of this to meet all our obligations but fighting an election is certainly something that seems beyond us."
On Saturday, MacAskill sent an email to members, seen by BBC Scotland News, describing the party's situation as an "immediate crisis" and expressing doubt about Alba's ability to register for the Scottish Parliament election.
In response, four elected members convened a meeting on Sunday to explore the possibility of fielding candidates for the 7 May poll.
Following the meeting, they released a joint statement noting that the current leadership had "left the door open for a transition team to take the party forward."
The statement acknowledged the "extraordinary efforts to date to ensure the survival of the party," crediting the current leadership, but noted that they now "feel unable to continue," which, while regrettable, should not signal the party's end.
They expressed belief in a strong desire among candidates and the wider membership to contest the election.
"It is vital that the Alba Party contests the election in May to ensure hundreds of thousands of pro-independence votes are not wasted."
The statement warned that failure to field candidates on the regional list would enable unionist parties, including Reform, to have "an easy ride" into parliament.
The statement was signed by three ordinary National Executive Committee members: former Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan; Christina Hendry, niece of the late party founder Alex Salmond; and former SNP MP Angus MacNeil. The group was completed by Suzanne Blackley, the party's national equalities convener.
Background and Challenges Facing Alba
When Alex Salmond launched the Alba Party in 2021, his aim was to unify the independence movement. The party even campaigned under the banner "Scotland United."
However, years have passed without electoral success, and the prospect of contesting the May election appears increasingly uncertain.
Aside from the specific causes of Alba's financial difficulties—there is an ongoing police investigation into alleged irregularities—the party faces an uncertain future with no clear consensus on how to proceed.
A group of well-known figures has offered to step in to lead the party into the election, but this may not be a straightforward solution. Kenny MacAskill appears unwilling to relinquish leadership unless the group presents a credible plan that meets the party's financial obligations.
A formal leadership transition would be necessary, and even a minimal-cost leadership contest seems beyond the party's current financial capacity.
Additional hurdles include finalizing accounts, resolving issues with the Electoral Commission, and paying candidate deposits.
Despite these challenges, Angus MacNeil remains optimistic that the crisis will galvanize members to reverse the party's fortunes and that he and others will campaign under the Alba banner in May.
However, significant work remains to be done within a limited timeframe.
Alba's Formation and Recent Developments
Alba was founded by former SNP leader Alex Salmond in March 2021 with the goal of establishing a "supermajority for independence" at Holyrood following that year's election.
Within days, two MPs, Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey, defected from the SNP to join Alba.
Despite these initial moves, Alba failed to secure any seats and garnered only 1.7% of the regional vote.
The sudden death of Salmond in October 2024 prompted a leadership contest, in which MacAskill defeated former SNP leadership contender Ash Regan.
Financial Investigation and Internal Disputes
In October last year, it was revealed that police were investigating "irregularities" in the party's finances following a complaint lodged in May.
This followed a dispute between the party and its former general secretary, Chris McEleny, who was dismissed early last year after initially being suspended for alleged gross misconduct.
At the time, a source close to McEleny stated he was "completely content that the finances of the party under the leadership of Alex Salmond were both sound and compliant."
Support for Legal Action and Ongoing Commitment
In his email to members on Saturday, MacAskill also affirmed the party's continued support for Salmond's widow, Moira, in her court action against the Scottish government.
Earlier this month, millionaire businessman and rock drummer Paul McManus confirmed he would fund the legal action after Moira agreed to transfer the legal rights of the case.
