Alba Party: Former SNP MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh among 32 regional candidates

Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, a former SNP MP, is among 32 candidates announced by Alex Salmond’s new Alba Party.

The former SNP MP, who was the MP for Ochil and South Perthshire between 2015 and 2017, is one of the latest candidates to join the party and will stand in the Central Scotland region.

Ms Ahmed-Sheikh, who was the SNP’s women’s and equalities convener until 2018, previously worked with Mr Salmond on his television show for the Russia Today channel.

On Wednesday, Alba said it had met its target of standing four candidates in each regional list in Scotland – a total of 32. It will not be fielding candidates in the constituency ballots.

Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh and Alex Salmond picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Alba is due to hold a national candidate launch event on Thursday.

Revealing the list of 32 candidates, the former First Minister and Alba Party leader Alex Salmond said: “This is a thrilling list with a depth of talent, diversity and experience which I am proud t lead into the election.

"Five days ago I asked how many would rally to the Alba standard. The answer comes in this hugely impressive list today.

"Alba is set to make a big impact as we seek to build the #Supermajority for independence in the next Scottish Parliament.”

High profile defections so far have included MPs Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey, as well as Inverclyde councillor Chris McEleny.

Here is the list of regional candidates for the Alba Party in full:

South Scotland: Cynthia Guthrie, Corri Wilson, Suzanne Blackley, Laurie Flynn

Lothian: Kenny MacAskill MP, Alex Arthur, Christina Hendry, Irshad Ahmed

Glasgow: Cllr Michelle Fearns, Ailsa Gray, Cllr Shahid Farooq, Lynn McMahon

North East Scotland: Alex Salmond, Heather McLean, Cllr Brian Topping, Dot Jessiman

West Scotland: Cllr Chris McEleny, Cllr Caroline McAllister, Cllr Ellen McMaster, Delia Henry

Central Scotland: Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, Cllr Lynne Anderson, Dr Jim Walker, Margaret Lynch

Mid Scotland and Fife: Eva Comrie, Neale Hanvey MP, Jim Eadie, Stephanie Reilly

Highlands and Islands: Kirk Torrance, Craig Berry, Josh Robertson, Judith Reid

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