Alba members vote to approve party's independence strategy

ALBA members have agreed a motion at a campaign conference to approve the party’s strategy for achieving Scottish independence.

The National previously revealed Alba’s strategy for Scottish independence ahead of Saturday’s event.

Here’s a look at what the party believes in terms of achieving independence:

1. That each and every national election should be fought seeking a popular mandate to begin independence negotiations. On achievement of a majority vote combining all parties standing on this platform we will mobilise domestic and international pressure to fulfil the democratic wishes of the Scottish people.
2. The bill to extend the powers of the Parliament to include the legislation for and negotiation of independence by a national referendum is part of this strategy as is an independence convention comprising Scotland’s elected representatives and civic Scotland. These initiatives are designed to call on the sovereign power of the Scottish people to realise our objective.
3. Alba candidates at the forthcoming Westminster elections will promote this strategy with a view of bringing it to fruition at the 2026 Holyrood election. 

Commenting, Alba’s General Election candidate for Airdrie and Shotts Josh Robertson said: “Alba’s big objective has always been breakthrough at the Scottish elections.

"However, now that Alba has emerged as the only party seeking an independence mandate at each and every election and, with the SNP, Greens and Tories now all in substantial disarray, we are increasing our effort for this year’s Westminster poll.

“We originally thought to contest 12 seats but today announced many more candidates will be standing for Alba at the General Election.

“If we work hard then Alba can make a big impact for independence in the coming election.”

Elsewhere, we previously reported that First Minister John Swinney (above) confirmed the SNP remain wedded to Humza Yousaf’s independence strategy for the next election.

It involves the party winning the majority of Scottish seats at the General Election and taking that as a basis for independence support, which they said they would take to the UK Government to begin negotiations on how to give that “democratic effect”.

George Kerevan announcement

Alba also announced that George Kerevan, the SNP MP for East Lothian from 2015-2017 will stand for the party in the new Lothian East seat. 

He left the SNP and joined Alba in 2021 and commented: “ Kenny MacAskill deserves much credit for the work he has done in the constituency.

"He has a big role still to play in standing up for Scotland and I am sure he will have more to say on that later today.

"Alba are now the only party with a credible strategy to deliver independence. When we get a majority we must not go to London and say ‘please’.

"If Westminster says ‘no’ then as we have unleashed Scottish sovereignty at the ballot box we say that the people of Scotland have expressed their vote, they’ve expressed their sovereignty and then we will take our independence.”