A FORMER SNP councillor has joined Alex Salmond’s Alba Party.
Alan Ross, who has represented the Lochee ward in Dundee since 2007, was revealed to have joined the party at its first annual Burns Night on Friday, according to the Courier.
Ross told that paper he had joined Salmond’s party as he felt the SNP was “dragging its feet” on holding indyref2.
“When is the time to say we’ve had enough of Westminster if it’s not now?” he said.
“I’m not 100% sure what the strategy is in terms of a referendum. I know they’ve said next year but I think there is a lot of doubt about whether that will happen.”
Ross stepped back from the SNP after last year’s Holyrood election and sat as an independent until joining Alba.
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He had previously worked as convener of community safety and public protection and convener of city development in the ruling Dundee council administration.
Ross joining Alba from the SNP is the latest in a string of examples of such moves since the party was launched. MPs Neale Hanvey and Kenny MacAskill were among the most high profile of the defections.
Hanvey, the party’s Westminster leader, said there were “lots of people who are on the cusp of coming across and who are behind what we are trying to do”.
However, he said it was “impossible to predict” if more defections would be announced before the upcoming local elections.
Ross sought to assure his constituents he is “still Alan” ahead of that vote, although he has not yet decided if he will stand.
The new Alba councillor told The Courier: “I’m still from Lochee. I know Lochee and I know the local issues.
“I’m not starting over and I won’t be behind the curve in any way. I still have Lochee’s interest at heart and that won’t change because of what rosette I wear.”
Dundee City Council leader John Alexander said: “As an SNP group, we continue to work across the chamber with all parties and none, and that approach will continue.
“Alan has been a friend and a colleague for many years and I continue to wish him all the best in whatever he chooses to do going forward.”
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