Alba Party leader Alex Salmond speaks to the media alongside party chair Tasmina Ahmed. Photo: Andy Raine/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Alex Salmond accused the SNP of wasting its political power. legacy, allowing Labor to regain its position as Scotland's most popular party.
The former leader of the Scottish National Party spent decades trying to unseat the Labor Party, which he achieved when he won the Holyrood election in 2007 and became First Minister .
He strengthened his position when he won a majority four years later.
At a press conference in London at which he confirmed he would not be his party's Alba candidate in the general election, he said it was «painful» to see pro-British Labor overtake the Scottish National Party.
He added that «all these efforts to replace the Labor Party» had been «discarded for no apparent reason». anything.”
Nine polls in a row have shown Labor ahead of the Scottish National Party in Westminster voting intentions, a position that would have been considered unthinkable just early last year.
The Scottish National Party has then consistently had a double lead. -value questionnaire.
Labour party ahead by 10 points
In the 2019 election, Labor won 18.6% of the vote in Scotland and returned one MP, while the Scottish National Party received 45% of the vote and 48 seats.
However, recent polls have shown Labor ahead by 10 points on the northern border.
Mr Salmond nominated Alba to stand for the 2021 Holyrood election, but she failed to win a single seat.
Before parliament was dissolved, it had two MPs who had left the SNP.
Alba Leader said he won't be on the July 4 ballot but confirmed he plans to stand for Holyrood in 2026 for Banffshire and the Buchan Coast.
He predicted Alba would win in two years. 15 percent of the vote in the region and the return of 20 deputies.
It is standing 19 candidates in the general election, but current polls suggest Alba is not in contention for a single seat.
«This general election is now about reshaping the right in English politics, and Alba believes it will also point the way to reshaping the national movement in Scotland,» Mr Salmond said.
«Fifty per cent of people believe in independence, but only about 30 per cent are prepared to vote for the SNP.
“Alba is telling these people: don’t sit at home and certainly don’t vote for Unionist Labour. Move to Alba and help revive the national cause in Scotland.»
Resuming the SNP election campaign at the weekend, John Swinney urged independence supporters not to be tempted by Alba's hard-line stance on secession.
«If you are interested in Scottish independence, don’t get distracted,” the party leader said.
“Vote for the SNP because we are the party of independence and we will get it.”