This week saw Nicola Sturgeon go head to head with fellow party leaders Douglas Ross, Anas Sarwar, Lorna Slater and Willie Rennie in the first of the televised debates, with subjects such as the pandemic and indyref2 leading the varied talking points.

However, the announcement of Alex Salmond’s new Alba Party managed to grab some of the headlines, as the following day the former First Minister insisted there is an “unanswerable” case for not including his newly formed party on the Scottish election live TV debates, with Mr. Salmond aiming to muscle his way back into Scottish politics.

We asked our readers what they thought of Mr. Salmond’s claim and if they feel the Alba Party should be included.

Despite a recent survey dropping the bombshell that they were polling at just 3 per cent, opinions were varied on whether they should be included on the TV debates.

There were many who felt Alba should not be part of the running, let alone the debates, while some felt it they would like to hear what Mr. Salmond and his new party had to say, even if they didn’t necessarily feel they would vote in their favour.

Fiona Murray certainly showed her feelings when she said: “No debate space for Alba. There’s not a studio big enough to accommodate his ego”, while Doreen Hamilton felt Mr. Salmond shouldn’t be included in the debates, going as far as saying: “No place for him in politics - he is finished.”

Nancy Graham said she “wouldn't want to listen to him again” adding that “he messed up last time and resigned.” Ruth Davy Watts also had no desire to hear from Alba as she commented: “No, a new party a week old, no plans no policies - why should he be part of the debates?”.

Friday March 26 2021: Alex Salmond Launches the Alba Party. A pro Scottish Independence Party

Jim Murray doesn’t understand “how can they talk about government they just started’ before adding he hopes someone will ‘save Scotland from these incompetents”.

Philip Hartley said that Mr. Salmond should be part of the debates, as he would like someone to “ask him why he wrote down, in the White Paper ‘once in generation’?.”

Matthew Valance showed support for the former First Minister, and believed he should be included within the debate, commenting that “people are running scared. I can see why, the muppets in Holyrood at the moment don't want to be compared to a real politician”, and the support for Alba was echoed by Maggie Lawson who posted: “They are a credible force and their views and policies should be heard.”

Joe Rockss felt the 66-year-old politician deserved ‘a right of reply’ after “all the other candidates mentioned him on the debate.” Greig Morrison agreed, responding by saying: “If he is the head of a political party that is being represented in Scotland, then the answer must be yes. Fair play must come into the equation.”

Fiona Burr, meanwhile, was frustrated to see support for the former SNP leader, she said: “The people who want to hear the man need to take a long hard look at themselves”.

Mark Pye said he’d like to see not only Mr. Salmond included in the debates, but also fellow independent George Galloway, commenting: “Get Alex, George and the others to slug it out. It would be wonderful to watch.”

Whatever happens, it does appear to be an argument that won’t die down just yet.

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Should Alex Salmond's Alba Party be included in TV debates? Our readers have their say

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