Former Scottish Secretary David Mundell has warned that Alex Salmond's new Alba party is a 'real and present danger' to the Union and must be resisted immediately. Speaking ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections, Mundell said pro-Union voters and politicians should not be distracted by concerns over Salmond's tactics, but instead focus on stopping a second independence referendum.
Mundell, who served under Theresa May, dismissed complaints that Salmond is 'gaming the system' by running candidates only on regional lists. 'The system is as it is,' he said. 'The key is that he and his party present a real and present danger to bringing about an independence referendum and it has to be stopped.'
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has sought urgent talks with other pro-Union parties, saying independence supporters are trying to 'game the system' to focus on separation rather than recovery. Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar accused Ross of needing to 'grow up', while Liberal Democrat campaign chair Alistair Carmichael called his politics 'far too dark and divisive'.
The pro-independence movement saw a defection as SNP MP Kenny MacAskill joined Alba. SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford called his departure 'somewhat of a relief', describing MacAskill as 'an increasing embarrassment'. Blackford suggested MacAskill should resign his Commons seat.
Salmond launched Alba on Friday, presenting it as a way to secure a 'super-majority' for independence by winning regional list seats. Under Holyrood's voting system, 56 MSPs are elected via regional lists to balance first-past-the-post constituencies. Alba is only contesting list seats, which critics say manipulates the system.
The former first minister was cleared last year of 13 sexual assault charges, though his behaviour towards female staff has been criticised. At the launch, he evaded questions about his conduct. Election experts warn that Alba could split the pro-independence vote, potentially handing more seats to Unionist parties.
