Salmond calls on parties to unite at next poll

Alex Salmond brushed off Alba’s crushing defeat at last week’s council election, saying pro-independence parties must work together if a second referendum is held.

The ex-first minister said his party would now devote its “full energies” to pushing for independence.

And he said there are no excuses for the SNP not to deliver its pledge for a vote on Scotland leaving the UK by the end of 2023.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and other SNP figures want to hold a referendum next year, but Westminster insists the question was settled in 2014.

Mr Salmond had faced questions over whether his Alba Party, launched last year, would disband after none of its candidates was elected last week.

Mr Salmond had predicted Alba would make a “political breakthrough”.

The former SNP chief’s party also failed to gain any seats at the Holyrood election last May, but he remains insistent Alba can have a key role in fighting for independence.

In a video message last night, he told supporters: “We now focus our full energies on developing the independence case in anticipation of the referendum vowed next year.

“The Scottish Government have told us there is going to be a referendum on independence next year, no ifs no buts, so let’s take them at their word and make Alba’s distinctive contribution to that campaign.

“If the referendum transpires then we will unite to secure a yes vote for independence.

“Of course if it doesn’t, and somehow we are let down again, then there will be huge political change in Scotland in which Alba will be playing a strong part.”