Alba Members Urge Leader to Contest Election or Resign
A faction within the Alba Party has urged leader Kenny MacAskill to either lead the party into the upcoming Scottish Parliament election or resign from his position. MacAskill recently indicated that the party is unlikely to participate in the vote, citing concerns about its long-term viability due to a "perilous financial position."
Despite this, prominent figures such as former SNP MP Angus MacNeil, ex-Solidarity leader Tommy Sheridan, and Christina Hendry, niece of the late party founder Alex Salmond, advocate for the party to field candidates on the regional list.
The Alba Party has been approached for comment on the matter.
Call from The Alba Continuation Group
A statement issued by members under the name The Alba Continuation Group demands that MacAskill either "commit to fighting" the May election or "resign and allow others to lead the fight."
"It is abundantly clear that the wider Alba membership want a say in the future of the party.
Kenny MacAskill and others within the small leadership group must see reason.
It's time to put the future of the party to a full membership vote, this should be a decision for the 4,000 members, not the four in the leadership team."
Christina Hendry emphasized the need for broader member involvement in the party's direction.
Leadership and Financial Challenges
Kenny MacAskill assumed leadership of Alba following the death of former leader Alex Salmond in October 2024. Earlier this week, MacAskill informed BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast that the party's financial difficulties stemmed from being defrauded.
Since May of the previous year, Police Scotland has been investigating allegations of "irregularities" related to the party's finances. This inquiry followed a dispute between the party and its former general secretary, Chris McEleny, who was dismissed last year on accusations of gross misconduct.
A source previously told BBC Scotland that McEleny was "completely content" that the party's finances under Salmond's leadership "were both sound and compliant."
