The Alba party has its first ever MSP in the form of one-time SNP leadership candidate Ash Regan, who has defected from the party because it has “lost its focus on independence”. Regan’s decision to join Alba – which was set up by former SNP leader and ex-Scottish first minister Alex Salmond – was announced as the party’s conference took place in Glasgow. The former Scottish government minister said: “I could not, in good conscience, continue to be part of a party that has drifted from its path and its commitment to achieving independence as a matter of urgency.” Moving away from the issue that forms the “very foundation” of the SNP’s existence has prompted Regan to jump ship, just over two weeks after MP Dr Lisa Cameron announced she was quitting the SNP to join the Conservatives. Regan, first elected to represent Edinburgh Eastern in 2016, has been warmly welcomed to the Alba ranks by Salmond.
“Her commitment to the cause of Scottish independence has never been in question, and her addition to Alba sends a powerful message about the focus and determination we bring to achieving an independent Scotland. “Having Ash join the Alba party enriches our team and sharpens our focus on the immediate need for Scottish independence. “She brings a level of commitment and principle that is deeply admired across Scotland, and I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome her into our ranks.” Having increased her vote share by more than 8,000 in 2021, earlier this year Regan threw her hat in the ring to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as first minister and SNP leader. She secured just over 11% of the votes in a three-way tussle with Kate Forbes and Humza Yousaf, who went on to win the leadership contest.
Yousaf said that Regan’s defection was “no great loss”, telling the National that he was not surprised by the move. “It is no great loss to the SNP group, I have to say, and it is also hardly not a surprise either given Ash’s statements for many months, in fact for longer than that.” He added: “Ash should do the decent thing, she should resign her seat – she was elected on an SNP ticket.” Regan had previously served as community safety minister in the Scottish government, but quit that position last year to vote against controversial gender recognition reforms. As its first ever MSP, Regan has vowed to “take up the mantle of leadership” for the Alba party and reinvigorate “the cause of independence”. She said: “I am committed to working tirelessly to create a Scotland that leads, not follows – a Scotland that leads the way in living standards, economic resilience, and innovation.” Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey, previously SNP MPs for East Lothian and Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath respectively, are among those who have also defected to Alba.