Alba MSP Ash Regan says leadership bid is 'big opportunity' for party

Ash Regan has said there is a “big opportunity” for the Alba Party to move forward under her leadership.

The former SNP minister, now the Alba Party’s sole representative at Holyrood, announced her bid on Thursday to succeed Alex Salmond as party leader following his death.

Former leader of the SNP and Alba Party founder Alex Salmond died aged 69 while attending an event in North Macedonia in October.

Following Salmond’s death, Alba deputy leader and former Holyrood justice secretary Kenny MacAskill took on the leadership role on an acting basis, where he is expected to remain until the party chooses a new leader at a rearranged party conference in March.

The Find Out Now poll, published at the end of last year, suggested Alba would achieve 2% on the constituency vote and 5.6% on the regional vote, which could equate to three seats in parliament – which Regan has called a “big opportunity”.

Politics

Ash Regan announces bid to succeed Alex Salmond as Alba leader

Regan, the party’s sole representative at Holyrood, said she expects a leadership contest to take place within ‘the next few weeks’.

“I would like to see us get even more seats”, she said.

“I think there’s a big opportunity here for Alba. For people that want to vote for a strong pro-independence party that also listens carefully to what the public wants and what the public needs. And we could be the kingmakers of the next parliament.”

Regan previously stood against former first minister Humza Yousaf and deputy first minister Kate Forbes to become leader of the SNP back in 2023, following the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon.

She came third in that election, after receiving 11% of the first preference votes.

Despite finishing last in the particularly leadership race, Regan believes the experience has stood her in good stead.

“I’ll lead in the way that I have before I listen to what the public say”, she added.

“I take a thoughtful and considerate approach to any evidence that’s in front of me, and I am consistent in the things that I believe in and so that is, you know, a strong economy, putting money back into people’s pockets, protecting women, safeguarding children, and having a strong plan for independence.

“I think the public are listening to what we’re saying. You know, I’ve been in Alba now for about a year. I’ve been consistent in standing up for things that the public are interested in.

“I’ve been making my voice heard on things like the CAS review, and today I was talking about connectivity, pre-clearance for Edinburgh Airport and so on.

“So I think there is an opportunity here for Alba. We can speak for the public, we can stand up for what we believe in and we can pursue Scottish independence.”