ROUND TWO FOR STURGEON
help create a ‘super-majority’ of independence supporting MSPs at Holyrood, joining MP Neale Hanvey and East Lothian MP Kenny MacAskill in Alba’s ranks.
Former SNP health secretary Alex Neil also criticised Miss Sturgeon’s ‘personal insults’ about Mr Salmond, but ruled out joining Alba, despite being ‘sympathetic’ to its aims.
In her election campaign launch speech, Miss Sturgeon said: ‘I don’t have much time these days for the “who’s up/who’s down” approach to politics.
‘And I definitely have much less patience for those who treat politics like a game – and for indulging anyone who puts self-interest ahead of the country’s best interests.
‘If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that politics is about improving people’s lives or it is about nothing at all.’
Miss Sturgeon placed independence at the heart of her campaign, insisting the push for a second referendum was not a ‘distraction’ from the coronavirus pandemic.
The SNP leader set out flagship policies for her party, but it was later revealed that a pledge to create new cancer diagnostic centres was announced months previously by the Scottish Government.
Drawing on the past year of leading Scotland through the pandemic, Miss Sturgeon said that her priorities had changed.
But the creation of Mr Salmond’s Alba Party has reignited their war of words and highlighted the splits which exist within her own party.
Mr Salmond has claimed Alba will not harm the SNP’s fight for independence, and said it could help to build a ‘super-majority’ for separation in the Scottish parliament.
But Miss Sturgeon has previously hit out, claiming there are ‘significant questions’ over allegations regarding Mr Salmond’s conduct and whether he should be in office.
She also said that now was ‘not the time to gamble’ with Scotland’s future.
Urging activists to cast both votes for the SNP, she yesterday called on them to re-elect her as First Minister and endorse a ‘bold, progressive, ambitious policy programme’ and the ‘right to choose our independence’.
Miss Sturgeon said: ‘I believe Scotland’s recovery should be in Scotland’s hands. Independence is not a distraction from recovery.
‘It is essential to secure a recovery that is made here in Scotland and based on the values the majority of us subscribe to.’
She pledged that new cancer diagnostic centres would be set up across Scotland, as part of an effort to help the NHS deal with a backlog following the pandemic.
But despite being billed as a flagship election pledge, the centres formed part of an announcement included in the Government’s cancer strategy published four months ago. This stated that two centres would be established within the existing NHS infrastructure by spring 2021.
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon’s conference speech ultimately all came down to one single issue – the SNP’s obsession with another divisive independence referendum.
‘When all our focus should be on rebuilding Scotland, the SNP are intent on dividing Scotland all over again.
‘Only the Scottish Conservatives have the strength to stop an SNP majority, stop their push for another divisive referendum and get the Scottish parliament 100 per cent focused on rebuilding Scotland and recovering from this pandemic.’
Miss Sturgeon’s comments came as Mr Arthur was revealed as Alba’s latest signing.
The boxer won a gold medal for Scotland at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and was crowned WBO super-featherweight world champion in 2008.
He has thrown his hat into the ring as a candidate for Alba on the regional list in Lothian.
He said: ‘I backed the Yes campaign in 2014 and I am joining the Alba Party as a candidate to help deliver a super-majority for independence in the Scottish parliament.’
Mr Arthur retired from professional boxing in 2013, with a record of 31 wins to three losses. In 2012, he received in MBE in recognition of his services to the sport.
He has previously been critical of the Scottish Government’s approach to restrictions on sport during the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Independence for Scotland Party has said it will no longer field candidates in the election following the launch of Alba.
In a statement it said: ‘We are not standing aside to be failed by others again but hope that our members’ trust will be rewarded.
‘This has not been an easy decision and we would like to thank all our members.’