THE S.N.P. LOSES A KEY FIGURE

It would be difficult to mention the Scottish national party without making reference to the late Alex Salmond.  A central figure of British politics has lost his life to a suspected heart attack.  The man who led the country as first minister from 2007 to 2014 was at an event at the Institute for cultural diplomacy in Ohrid, North Macedonia when his death occurred.

At the age of sixty nine years the leader of ‘Alba’, a relatively new political party for independence planned to continue with objectives for the future.  The midlothian council leader has made a statement. 

Counselor Kelly Parry had this to say “On behalf of Midlothian council, I extend my deepest condolences to Alex Salmond’s family and loved ones at this time” 

The saltire is to be flown at half mast from Penicuik town hall. 

The British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer describes Mr. Salmond as a monumental figure of Scottish and United Kingdom politics.  The former first minister Nicola Sturgeon considers him as a mentor. 

With an education from Saint Andrews University, the man who will be known as the one who almost got Scotland independence but equally shaped a nation with hope for some and failure for others, will not be forgotten. 

Scotland, a nation who is proud, innovative and forward thinking, is the birthplace of Mr. Salmond who is from Linlithgow, born in 1954.  What did he contribute to the independence movement?  The SNP said he is a titan of the independence movement.  He was admired for skills in debating and being a highly competent politician.  Some say he was a great intellectual figure. 

The King and Queen have revealed that they are ‘greatly saddened’ by the loss of the fourth first minister at Holyrood. 

Breaking away from the SNP, Mr Salmond had been featured on a Russian TV show but stepped away with the start of the war in Ukraine. 

A few years back it was found ‘not proven’ that he was involved in sexual misconduct.  

The SNP and Alex Salmond had parted ways but the accomplishments and failures of the party go on today with John Swinney in control.  

Perhaps he will be remembered as the one who opened the first door towards the idea of an independent Scotland - the one who made it feel more real and gave people a chance to sample what it may be like. 

Many young teenagers today will not have known another party in leadership in Scotland.  

As a child in the nineties I heard a conversation about the SNP for the first time but it remained something in the background.  In later years while living in France I realised people thought that the emerging party were akin to the Front National in France and others romanticised the notion with films like Braveheart being watched.  

Nowadays, years later the SNP have cleared up many misunderstandings about the aims and plans which they want to achieve and the Scottish people have first hand experience of this party ruling through challenging times such as covid and the ferry targets being very late. 

So midlothian town hall in Penicuik will have the half mast saltire blowing in the scottish wind to remember Mr. Alex Salmond.   

photo credit pixabay