Alex Salmond, the former first minister of Scotland, has stated that he will set aside his differences with Nicola Sturgeon and work with the SNP leader to secure a second independence vote.
When asked if the personal hostility between the two has been resolved, the former first minister stated that personal disputes between himself and Ms. Sturgeon are “insignificant in comparison to the national cause of Scotland achieving independence.”
Mr. Salmond stated that a second referendum on whether Scotland should leave the United Kingdom is a “no-ifs, no-buts commitment” and that he expects it to occur “before October 2023.”
Ms. Sturgeon, the current First Minister of Scotland, presented a “refreshed” case for independence earlier this week.
In a paper titled ‘Independence in the Modern World. Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland?’, she argued that her administration had an “undisputable mandate” for a second independence referendum and that Scotland must “create a path ahead” to guarantee that the vote occurs.
She asserted that the SNP won the election last May because of a “clear determination to give the people of Scotland the option of becoming an independent nation.”
“If we are to protect democracy in Scotland, we must if necessary construct a path ahead without a Section 30 order,” added the first minister.
In recent years, Mr. Salmond, the current head of the Alba Party in Scotland, has been at clashes with the Scottish government, led by the first minister, over its treatment of charges of harassment against him.
Last year, he asserted that former party members he had led attempted to remove him from public life and even have him imprisoned.
Mr. Salmond asserted that senior SNP and Scottish government officials were engaged in a “malicious and systematic effort” to harm his reputation and that the current first minister violated the ministerial code.
Ms. Sturgeon responded by accusing him of establishing an “alternative reality.”
Ms. Sturgeon launched a thinly veiled attack on her predecessor as she launched the SNP’s campaign for the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2021.
These days, I have little patience for the who’s up/down who’s an approach to politics. “I have far less tolerance for individuals who view politics as a game, as well as those who prioritize their interests over those of the country,” she stated.
Mr. Salmond stated that he now believes Ms. Sturgeon is the “inevitable” candidate to lead the campaign for a second Scottish independence referendum, and that he would share a platform with her to ensure success.
“In response to the second part of your question, she is the unavoidable candidate to lead the campaign,” he stated.
“She is the head of government of Scotland. The Scottish government has the most important role in the independence referendum.”
When asked if the personal hostility between the two has been resolved, the former first minister stated that personal disputes between himself and Ms. Sturgeon are “insignificant compared to the national cause of Scotland achieving independence.”
“I don’t believe any personal obstacles would stand in the way of something far larger and more important than any two persons,” he added.
Mr. Salmond has stated in the past that the formation of his new pro-independence party, Alba, is intended to create a “supermajority” for a second referendum.
He stated that he believes the Scottish government’s assurances that this referendum will take place before the next general election.
“It is a no-ifs, no-buts pledge that a referendum will be held by October of next year. Therefore, the national movement in Scotland, I’m looking forward to participating in the upcoming referendum, said Mr. Salmond.
He added that it is “right and proper to make the point that other small European countries are doing much better economically than the United Kingdom” and that he is “pleased that the starting gun has finally been fired” by the SNP outlining their proposed steps to secure a second independence referendum.
