Who is the Alba Party? These are the details behind Alex Salmond's new party

Alex Salmond has announced his bid to return to Holyrood as leader of a new pro-independence party.

The former first minister, who last sat as an MSP in 2015, is the leader of the new pro-independence party, the Alba Party

Registered online for the first time on November 23 last year, the party was registered with the Electoral Commission in January by retired TV producer Laurie Flynn.

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The proposed descriptions submitted to the Electoral Commission include “Mandate for Independence”, “Get Independence Done” and “Make Independence Happen”.

Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond poses for photographs in Turriff, Scotland. Picture: AP Photo/Scott HeppellScotland's first minister Alex Salmond poses for photographs in Turriff, Scotland. Picture: AP Photo/Scott Heppell
Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond poses for photographs in Turriff, Scotland. Picture: AP Photo/Scott Heppell

Mr Salmond repeatedly referenced a “supermajority” in his campaign launch – a term that also appears in the descriptions “The Supermajority – a Mandate for Independence”, “The Supermajority for Independence” and “For the Independence Supermajority”.

Finally, it proposes “First vote Party, Second vote Country”.

At the launch event, Mr Salmond said: "Today I'm announcing the public launch of a new political force, the Alba Party.

"Alba will contest the upcoming Scottish elections as a list-only party, seeking to build a super-majority for independence in the Scottish Parliament.

Alex Salmond today revealed he will lead the new partyAlex Salmond today revealed he will lead the new party
Alex Salmond today revealed he will lead the new party
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Alba Party: Alex Salmond announces bid to return to Holyrood as leader of new pr...

"Over the next six weeks we will promote new ideas about taking Scotland forward, giving primacy to economic recovery from the pandemic and the achievement of independence for our country.

"We expect to field a minimum of four candidates in each regional list and we're hoping to elect Alba MSPs from every area of Scotland."

Other candidates for the party include former SNP councillor Christopher McEleny, as well as Cynthia Guthrie and Eva Comrie.

They will only be standing in the list.

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Mr Salmond explained: "The Alba Party is a list party. We are standing only in the list.

"We are not challenging the SNP in the constituencies.

"Indeed we are saying vote SNP or for an independence party on the constituency section.

"We are giving that support. Our campaign that we have launched is going to be entirely positive."

The party could still divide the Scottish independence movement and marks Mr Salmond’s return to frontline Scottish politics since he was acquitted of sexual offences in a trial in Edinburgh last year.

He has not held a role since he was defeated in the 2017 Westminster election in the Gordon constituency by the Scottish Conservative Colin Clark.

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