The new Scottish ALBA party - led by Salmond announced just now. Wowzer ‼️

Because it’s a PR system he is bound to get some seats, Sturgeon has plenty of enemies, it will likely end up with her having to “deal with the devil”.

Alegrias1

The website reckons they can get 20-25% of the list vote. Seems ambitious, but one thing Alex has never lacked is ambition.

I can't see him and the Alba party getting votes from anyone who was previously Unionist, though, surely? So I agree, probably the effect on independence is minimal.

Agreed again, but there are people who didn't vote for one of the pro-independence parties who are not Unionists. But we'll see when we see.

Lucca

Alegrias I’m being thick but why is it al u b a? (Alooba? Or aluhba?)

Its Gaelic .

Blast from the past: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIjBcSQkMYE

My husband used to think they were singing "Halibut"

Notice our esteemed SNP MP for Perth on drums - Pete Wishart.

Lucca

Alegrias I’m being thick but why is it al u b a? (Alooba? Or aluhba?)

It's just the way Gael's pronounce some combinations of consonants, a short vowel is put between them, but I expect Alegrias1 can explain much better than I can.

Most non-Gaelic speaking Scots would still say "Alba"

The website reckons they can get 20-25% of the list vote. Seems ambitious, but one thing Alex has never lacked is ambition.

I can't see him and the Alba party getting votes from anyone who was previously Unionist, though, surely? So I agree, probably the effect on independence is minimal.

Alegrias I’m being thick but why is it al u b a? (Alooba? Or aluhba?)

Alegrias1

Petera

The real question though is, if it is successful, will it make independence more or less likely? He can split the vote, but it will be split between two pro-independence parties, if he takes any votes from the Conservatives then there will be more pro-independence MSPs not fewer.

(and yes, everyone saw it coming...)

There are at least 5 independence supporting parties: SNP, ISP, Green Party, Scottish Socialists and now Alba. I would expect its the ISP and the Greens who will suffer from this most.

Yes that's entirely possible, but the main point is still that the effect this will have on independence is minimal.

Although I was getting a headache trying to imagine SNP and Alba in a coalition after all of this.

And again saying 'all of this' - and I don't minimise the effect on the two women - is that the First Minister has been found not to have broken the ministerial code when, in the period of the enquiry, Westminister ministers, including Johnson, have broken it 7 times in my counting. And this barely makes the papers, let alone caused a post in GN demanding they resign.

Not in the least bit surprised! Love the Brasso post!

Petera

The real question though is, if it is successful, will it make independence more or less likely? He can split the vote, but it will be split between two pro-independence parties, if he takes any votes from the Conservatives then there will be more pro-independence MSPs not fewer.

(and yes, everyone saw it coming...)

There are at least 5 independence supporting parties: SNP, ISP, Green Party, Scottish Socialists and now Alba. I would expect its the ISP and the Greens who will suffer from this most.

Well I've had a cup of tea and a lie down....

Alex is a man who likes power and doesn't like to be ignored, so no surprise he wants to get back to the coal face. There are people who think he has been badly done by, and independence supporting people who are left politically homeless because they think the SNP are no longer worthy of government. So he could pick up their votes.

They are only standing in the list so if he picks a geographical area where he thinks he's got the support, he could get elected.

I notice that they are using images of AUOB rallies for their promotion, and trying to associate themselves with the saltire. Let's not have that conversation again. He'll also have to get a bit slicker with his press conferences if he wants to be taken seriously though.

Choice of Alba is interesting, associations with "whiteness" of course. But I'm going to have to live with the whole MSM mispronouncing it for the next 8 weeks. And Alex as well. (Its Al-u-ba, BTW)

The real question though is, if it is successful, will it make independence more or less likely? He can split the vote, but it will be split between two pro-independence parties, if he takes any votes from the Conservatives then there will be more pro-independence MSPs not fewer.

(and yes, everyone saw it coming...)

To be honest if Joanna Cherry decided to join the Monster Raving Loony Party I wouldnt blame her.

Not really surprised as I never thought Alex Salmond would fade away into the background. Would love to know what Nicola Sturgeon’s reaction was to his announcement. I don’t think she’s made any comment yet. Sporrans at dawn maybe?

Nice one Grannynannywanny.

?

Alex Salmond’s sponsor

There’s a simple guide to how the election voting system works in Scotland on the BBC News website, and if I understand it correctly, each region has 7 regional seats as well as the constituency MSPs. This is a similar system to Wales, and we know here that the system gives minority parties a high chance of getting a few seats - it’s a very different system to the UK Government elections.

The SNP will now need to do extremely well to counteract the system to gain an overall majority I would think, but maybe this will galvanize people into giving them both their votes. It makes the forthcoming elections in Wales, happening on the same day, look very tame in comparison.

Ha! Good point sw I’m guessing obviously.

How on earth has he managed to blind side everybody, including Nicola? For everyone to keep schtum? Think up the name, produce logos etc. Took some organising especially on the QT!

Is he going to be elected then?

Will Joanna Cherry join him? And another thought. He’ll be a thorn in Nicola’s side at the next sitting of the Assembly. She’s swapped Ruth Davidson for Alex Salmond. He’s a political bruiser and he knows his stuff.

Actually as an aside, I like the name of the new party. It’s neat.

I wasn’t expecting it but it didn’t surprise me. He’s a busted flush imo and this is his last squeak. ( do flushes squeak? well you know what I mean).

I was stunned too Urmstongran - had to haud my wheesht though as in Mazda garage!

It does prove though what brass necks these politicians have. Do the wrong thing and you emerge smelling of roses.
Personally, I'm waiting for Dominic Cummings to rise from the ashes.

Oh I think he’ll be squeaky clean from now on Elaine1 don’t you? He won’t want to mess up.

Really? Well I must be behind the curve! I was stunned at the announcement. Will it split Sturgeon’s base? Probably. I need to process the fall out (literally from this.

What are your thoughts on it Alegrias please? Help me out!