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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Severin Carrell and Libby Brooks

Alex Salmond normalised concept of Scottish independence as he led SNP to power

Alex Salmond SNP Nicola Sturgeon John Swinney Alba David Cameron Holyrood Scotland
First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond stands before a painting in his Holyrood Parliament Office.
First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond stands before a painting in his Holyrood Parliament Office. Photograph: Murdo Macleod/The Guardian

Alex Salmond cemented his place in British political history in May 2011 when he and the Scottish National party did something extraordinary.

They won an overall majority at Holyrood, under a proportional system designed to promote coalitions, not one party’s domination. With the SNP winning 69 of Holyrood’s 129 seats, the result delivered two things that defined Salmond’s legacy.

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