Alba Party Founded by Alex Salmond on Brink of Collapse
The political party established by former First Minister Alex Salmond is teetering on the edge of collapse, a mere 16 months after his death, and is likely to field no candidates in the upcoming Holyrood election in May. Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill has informed members that the nationalist group is engulfed in severe financial turmoil, casting serious doubts on its future survival and operational capacity.
Financial Crisis and Leadership Attacks
In a stark revelation, MacAskill detailed the party's dire financial situation, which has been exacerbated by an ongoing police investigation into reports of financial irregularities. These issues reportedly surfaced following the dismissal of the former General Secretary, Chris McEleny, for gross misconduct. MacAskill emphasized that matters are now with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, with expectations of further developments soon.
MacAskill did not hold back in his criticism, launching a scathing attack on both Chris McEleny, one of Salmond's closest aides, and the party's only MSP, Ash Regan, who resigned in October. He accused Regan of undermining the party by employing McEleny for constituency work despite being aware of the misconduct concerns, thereby lending credibility to his denials.
Internal Strife and Legal Battles
The internal discord is further complicated by a bitter employment tribunal, where McEleny is suing Alba for wrongful dismissal, vehemently denying any wrongdoing. A friend of McEleny dismissed the allegations as "smears," asserting that the party's finances under Salmond's leadership were sound and compliant, overseen by a professional accountancy firm and MacAskill himself as chair of the finance committee.
Ash Regan expressed her dismay, describing the situation as "heartbreaking" and blaming failed leadership under MacAskill for running the party into the ground. She lamented that warnings from members, including her own, were ignored, leading to the unnecessary damage of a once-hopeful political entity.
Legacy Concerns and Member Rebellion
Alex Salmond's niece, Christina Hendry, voiced her frustration over the decision to potentially not field candidates in May, vowing to prevent her uncle's legacy from being "discarded." She challenged other members to step up and continue the party if the current leadership falters, emphasizing that the party belongs to its members and should not be controlled by a small leadership team.
Hendry declared, "I am not prepared to stand by and watch my Uncle Alex’s legacy discarded and the cause of independence abandoned," calling for collective action to sustain the party's mission.
Historical Context and Political Impact
Alba was founded in 2021 by Alex Salmond after his acquittal in a High Court trial over sexual misconduct allegations. At its peak, the party boasted two sitting MPs, an MSP, and up to 8,000 members, though it has since suffered from defections. Just two weeks ago, it announced a slate of hopeful candidates for the election, including former SNP MP Angus MacNeil and former MSP Tommy Sheridan, who was imprisoned for perjury in 2010.
Shadow Scottish Secretary Andrew Bowie MSP commented on Alba's decline, noting that the winding-up process began shortly after Salmond's death. He highlighted that Alba, similar to the Greens, often stood aside for the SNP in elections and failed to make a significant impact at the ballot box, with Reform now emerging as another pro-independence alternative.
The future of Alba remains uncertain, with financial woes, internal conflicts, and leadership challenges threatening to erase the political legacy of one of Scotland's most prominent figures.
