THE Alba Party have announced another candidate for the General Election.
African-Scot Tony Osy, who has been active in the affiliated organisation African Scots for Alba (ASFA), will fight the Glasgow South West constituency for Alex Salmond’s party.
ASFA was formed shortly after the establishment of Alba to create a group for African Scots to campaign for Scottish independence and this will be the first time an activist from the group will stand as a parliamentary candidate.
In the last few years the group has campaigned across the country for independence and to increase the diversity of representation in Scottish politics.
Osy, an environmental civil engineer and human rights activist, was born in the Ivory Coast but moved to Scotland 25 years ago.
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The seat is currently held by Chris Stephens of the SNP who plans to stand again, while Labour have nominated Zubir Ahmed.
Osy, who is the seventh candidate to be confirmed by Alba, said he was looking forward to giving people in Glasgow the opportunity to choose independence as he claimed the SNP and Greens were in “substantial disarray”.
He said: “Now that Alba Party has emerged as the only party seeking an independence mandate at each and every election and, with the SNP, Greens and Tories now all in substantial disarray, I am looking forward to giving independence supporters in Glasgow the opportunity to choose independence instead of the empty promises of Keir Starmer’s Labour Party.
“I love Scotland. It is one of the most welcoming countries in the world.
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“Sadly, whether from Hate Crime Acts or a toxic culture that politicians have created, you would be excused for thinking otherwise.
“In a time of much hate I want to offer a politics of hope to people in Glasgow – hope for a fairer city and hope for an independent Scotland over the fear of inequality and more Westminster rule.”
Alba have pledged to field more than a dozen candidates for the upcoming General Election which is expected to be called later this year.
Last month it was announced Neale Hanvey would stand again in the new Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy seat, which covers most of the area he currently represents.
Last week the party also unveiled its candidates in Dundee which include former SNP councillor Alan Ross for Dundee Central and independence activist Ghazi Khan for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.
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