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MacAskill to challenge Regan for Alba leadership

PA Media Kenny MacAskill, a man with grey hair and glasses, speaks with a microphone in his right hand, held slightly below his chin. He is wearing a dark jacket over a denim shirt in front of a blue Alba branded background.PA Media
Kenny MacAskill defected from the SNP to Alba in 2021

Former Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is to stand against MSP Ash Regan for the leadership of the Alba Party.

MacAskill has served as interim leader since the death of Alba founder Alex Salmond in October.

Moira Salmond has endorsed MacAskill to succeed her late husband.

A contest is expected to take place in the next few weeks, ahead of an Alba conference in March.

Regan, the party's sole representative at Holyrood, announced her candidacy earlier this month.

'Dream of independence'

MacAskill said: "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."

The former SNP MSP and MP said the party should continue to support "radical" policies.

"We cannot allow a drift to the right or pursue a populist agenda pushed by wealthy oligarchs," he said.

MacAskill also vowed to work to "ensure that Scotland benefits from the natural bounty it has with renewable energy".

Looking ahead to next year's Scottish Parliament election, the interim Alba leader said the campaign should be used to "drive" forward the case for independence.

MacAskill defected from the SNP to Alba in 2021 while serving as MP for East Lothian.

The SNP described his departure as "somewhat of a relief".

He lost his seat in last year's general election.

PA Media Ash Regan, a red-haired woman wearing a blue jacket and white shirt, looks at the camera in a medium close-up. She is walking in a Scottish Parliament corridor, which is blurred in the background. PA Media
Ash Regan is aiming to succeed Alex Salmond as Alba leader

Moira Salmond said her late husband - who died suddenly aged 69 in October - would have wanted MacAskill to succeed him.

The two men attended Linlithgow Academy, though Salmond was three years older.

Mrs Salmond said: "Kenny was not just Alex's political ally, but his friend."

She added: "I know who Alex trusted and who he would want to continue to lead the party he established."

Announcing her bid to become leader, Regan said she hoped to lead Alba to an electoral "breakthrough".

Also a former SNP minister, she defected to Alba in 2023 following a failed leadership bid and a disagreement over gender identity reforms.