KENNY MacAskill has announced his decision to stand for the Alba Party leadership.
The former MP for East Lothian has been serving as the party’s acting leader since the death of Alex Salmond but will now run against Ash Regan for the position.
MacAskill (below) previously served as the party’s deputy leader and has served as both an MP and MSP as well as Scottish justice secretary from 2007 to 2014 under Salmond.
He commented: “This is not a position which I ever sought, and it comes about through a tragedy I wish had never happened.
“But I believe it essential to maintain Alex’s legacy and to deliver his dream of Scottish independence.
“I also think it essential that we maintain the radical position which Alba took under Alex. We cannot allow a drift to the right or pursue a populist agenda pushed by wealthy oligarchs.”
Regan, who serves as the party’s leader in Holyrood after defecting from the SNP, previously announced her intention to run for the party leadership.
The party’s general secretary Chris McEleny also announced he would step down once a new leader is installed.
MacAskill continued: “Campaigns in support of Grangemouth refinery and against the absurdity of an energy rich land having half its people in fuel poverty, were led by me.
"I intend to continue that radical direction in defence of Scotland’s industrial base and to ensure that Scotland benefits from the natural bounty it has with renewable energy.
"We cannot allow this second golden opportunity to pass us by, as we’ve seen with oil and gas. Scotland must benefit from its natural resource with revenue, jobs and access to cheaper energy.
"Only independence will allow for that. It has been put on the back burner by the SNP and the Alba Party came about as a result.
"The race is now on for Holyrood 2026 and with a referendum refused by Westminster that election must be used to drive our cause forward. Opinion polls show Alba winning seats and we need to build on that through active campaigning.
This will be a vote for independence, and we need to unite the Yes Movement behind that. I have a hinterland of years working across its broad base and I will seek to build on that.”
MacAskill has also been endorsed by Salmond’s widow Moira who said she knew he was somebody her late husband trusted.
“Kenny was not just Alex’s political ally, but his friend. Growing up and even going to school together," she said.
"The two were together firstly building the SNP and then in forming Alba. I know who Alex trusted and who he would want to continue to lead the Party he established.
"He has my support and endorsement as he seeks to deliver Alex’s dream of Scottish Independence.”
