Alba Party Faces Financial Crisis Ahead of Scottish Parliament Election
The Alba Party is unlikely to participate in the upcoming Holyrood election in May due to a "perilous financial position," its leader Kenny MacAskill has confirmed.
In an email obtained by BBC Scotland News, MacAskill stated that the party is confronting an "immediate crisis" and it appears improbable that it will be able to register for the Scottish Parliament election.
"That brings also into question the viability of a party which neither has financial resource nor the ability to contest elections,"
added the former SNP justice secretary. MacAskill also indicated that he would provide further updates on the party’s status in the coming days.
Background and Formation of Alba Party
Alba was established by former SNP leader Alex Salmond in March 2021. The ex-first minister’s objective was to create a "supermajority for independence" at Holyrood following the May 2021 election.
Shortly after its launch, two SNP MPs, Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey, defected to join Alba. Despite this, the party failed to secure any seats and garnered only 1.7% of the regional vote.
Leadership Changes and Financial Investigations
The sudden death of Alex Salmond in October 2024 led to a leadership contest within Alba, where MacAskill defeated former SNP leadership contender Ash Regan.
In October of the previous year, police began investigating "irregularities" in the party’s finances following a complaint lodged in May. This investigation arose amid tensions between the party and its former general secretary, Chris McEleny, who was dismissed early last year after an initial suspension for alleged gross misconduct.
In a recent email to party members, MacAskill stated:
"I can assure you of integrity of current staff and elected office bearers but neither that nor justice being done addresses the perilous financial position which we find ourselves in as a result."
He also mentioned that he expected "matters to progress further shortly."
A source close to McEleny revealed that he is pursuing an unfair dismissal case against the party through an employment tribunal. The source expressed that McEleny was "bitterly disappointed about any suggestion that Alex Salmond was complicit in not being fully aware of how his political party was being run."
Reaction from Alba Candidate Christina Hendry
Christina Hendry, an Alba candidate and niece of Alex Salmond, expressed frustration regarding the announcement about the party’s uncertain future.
"The decision to de-register the party should not rest with a handful of members in the leadership team, some of whom have no electoral mandate. It belongs to you, the entire Alba Party membership.
I am not prepared to stand by and watch my uncle's legacy discarded and the cause of independence abandoned.
This party belongs to the members, and it is up to the members to take it forward."
