Alex Salmond ‘Scotland’s Loyal Son, Father and Friend’
The news of Alex Salmond passing has sent shockwaves throughout Scotland with her people. The political world has lost a titan and his family, a father, uncle and a friend. As we all mourn the loss of Alex the purpose of this blog is to look back briefly on some of his achievements.
Alex studied economics at the University of St. Andrews. In the 1987’s general election, he won Banff and Buchan, a seat previously held by the Conservative Party. He was ordered out of the House of Commons for a week in 1988 when he interrupted the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s annual budget speech to protest the introduction of the poll tax in Scotland while reducing income tax for the rich.
Alex first became leader of the SNP in 1990; he showed significant skills as a political strategist. He would become a very visible and recognisable face for the SNP, and for Scotland. Alex modernised many political areas in Scotland such as sustainable economic growth, fairer taxes, education, and environmental awareness. He also implemented a number of popular measures, such as freezing council tax rates.
In 2011 Alex begin negotiations with David Cameron the Conservative Prime Minister to hold a referendum on Scottish independence. Scotland voted for the time being to remain under Conservative Westminster rule and as result not to leave the UK. Many argue that Scotland on this occasion actually voted Tory. There have been more Conservative Prime Ministers compared to Labour throughout history, however it is now hard to distinguish Labour from Conservative. They are the same brand just a different colour of badge (but that’s another story).
Alex as First Minister achieved the following (this is a shortened list)
• Freezing Council Tax.
• Removed prescription charges. Down south now pay ten pounds and that is not including medication etc.
• 303 building projects completed within schools in a 3 year period.
• Introduction of small business bonus.
• 1000 more police and as a result crime was at its lowest for more than 32 years.
• Saved A and E units from closure.
• Ending right to buy and building 15,000 affordable homes.
• Free personal care for the elderly.
• Removing student graduate endowment fee (currently Labour want this introduced again if in power in Scotland).
• Ending Tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges (again Labour want this reintroduced if in power).
• Recognition of world leading climate change legislation.
• Free bus travel for elderly and disabled people.
Alex decided to establish a new political party, Alba, in 2021, only three years after leaving the SNP. After being on the national and international stage for several decades, Alex remained committed to the political fight for Scottish independence. Alex announced that he wanted to return to Holyrood and would contest the Banff and Buchan Coastal seat at the 2026 Scottish election. Alex stated that “From that candidacy and from that platform, I hope to lead Alba into an independence coalition in the Scottish Parliament, a coalition which will be serious about independence and serious about the achievement of independence.”
Currently Alba are set to win seats at the next Holyrood election according to new analysis. The poll from Norstat put support for Alex at 5% in the regional vote, with Ballot Box Scotland (BBS) suggesting this could lead to a return of three MSPs. This is of course subject to change.
Many people from the Yes movement during the last few days of the 2014 referendum remember the feeling that maybe, just maybe, Scotland could pull off a win, and an independent Scotland to be reborn. A dream he shared with millions of people around the world. Alex modernised the SNP, he reshaped the political landscape of Scotland and his legacy will live on. Thank you Alex for all your hard work and making people believe that we can govern better ourselves as a nation.
‘For me as leader my time is nearly over but for Scotland the campaign continues and the dream shall never die’ (Alex Salmond)
References
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alex-Salmond
https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottishpoliticalarchive/5786648448
https://www.thenational.scot/news/24393127.alba-course-win-seats-scotland-holyrood-election---poll/