ARNOLD Schwarzenegger may have uttered the line “I’ll be back” a dozen or more times after the first Terminator movie, but yesterday it was a man with the same initials – Alex Salmond – who signalled that intention with the launch of the Alba Party.
The question that many were asking though was: “Who will be next to join the party?”
Chris McEleny, who has been a councillor in Inverclyde since 2012, was first to stick his head above the parapet, appearing remotely at the Alba launch.
An architect of a plan B for indy should a Section 30 order be refused, he described it as a “great privilege” to have been a councillor and SNP leader in Inverclyde. However, he went on to say: “Today I’ve relinquished my membership of SNP. I will no longer be standing for the SNP on the West of Scotland list, and instead, I’ll be standing for the Alba Party alongside you [Salmond] so that you can deliver a super majority for independence at the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections.
“Many people may know that over the past years I’ve been calling for a plan B, so that when Boris Johnson continues to tell us no, we can’t have a choice in our own future, we make sure we have that choice, and I find that the Alba Party is exactly what is needed right now, so that the SNP can absolutely win constituencies across Scotland, but only by voting for the Alba Party on the list can we deliver that super majority for our independence.”
READ MORE: Viewers across Scotland react to launch of Alex Salmond's Alba Party
There was some speculation that MP Joanna Cherry, a QC who was sacked in February as the SNP’s justice and home affairs spokesperson at Westminster, might be drawn to Alba.
She had also been subjected to a lengthy campaign of abuse over her stance on transgender issues, and announced on Thursday that she was taking some time out.
Cherry yesterday dismissed any speculation in a tweet: “Yesterday I said I was taking some time out for health reasons. Any speculation to the contrary is incorrect. I intend to return to work as the SNP MP for Edinburgh South West when I am able. Thanks for all the good wishes.”
READ MORE: Joanna Cherry confirms she will not be joining Alex Salmond's Alba Party
Speculation also surrounded MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar Angus MacNeil, former health secretary Alex Neil, and former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill – but none could be reached for comment.
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