Alba Party will make 'political breakthrough' at council elections, Alex Salmond predicts

The pro-independence party has launched its election manifesto

The Alba Party is on the verge of a "political breakthrough" at next month's council elections, its leader Alex Salmond has claimed, predicting that the pro-independence party will make "historic" progress on 5 May. 

The comments came as Salmond launched Alba's elections manifesto at the Caird Hall in Dundee, where the party hopes to make gains. This includes commitments on protecting families from "runaway inflation" and the cost-of-living crisis. Alba has pledged to double this year's winter fuel payment to pensioners and ensure free access to sporting facilities for the under-18s. It also plans to cut household energy costs by one third.

This marks the first council contest for the party, which was formed in 2021 just six weeks ahead of the Holyrood elections. It failed to secure any MSPs in that race, but a raft of defections from the SNP saw the party gain MPs and councillors.

Salmond said: "Given that it is likely that not a single one of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas will fall under single party control Alba voices in the council chambers will be a key importance in pushing key initiatives to take the country forward.

"We are the party which gives priority and urgency to Scottish independence. There can be no better illustration of the urgency of independence than the fact that fully one third of the households of Scotland are now facing fuel poverty in our land of energy plenty. Access to our own natural resources to secure clean, green and affordable energy for our people requires independence."

He went on: "Alba is standing well over 100 candidates, from all walks of life and in all parts of Scotland. The election of the first councillors under the Alba banner will make a difference to the future of Scotland. As we move towards election day, I sense that political breakthrough.”