MacAskill: Alba has faced a ‘long, hard year’ since death of Salmond

Kenny MacAskill has told the Alba Party’s conference there should be “no pylons destroying our countryside”, while referring to the party’s recent troubles.

His speech to the conference in Dundee acknowledged it has been a “long, hard year for our party” since the death of Alex Salmond in October 2024.

Alba’s sole MSP, Ash Regan, quit the party this month after an acrimonious leadership election earlier in the year.

On Friday, it emerged that police are looking into a report of “irregularities” in the party’s finances.

Alba’s former general secretary, Chris McEleny, has also accused it of making “smears” against him.

Mr MacAskill, a former MP and minister, was elected to lead the party following Mr Salmond’s death.

He told party members in Dundee: “Friends, it’s been a long, hard year for our party.

“The loss of our founder and friend compounded by efforts by some to undermine our party.

“But Alex will never be forgotten, and we remain pledged to deliver his dream.”

The Alba Party leader also said there should be no more electricity pylons built in Scotland due to a lack of zonal pricing to bring down energy bills.

He said: “We have more than we need, but this is to supply urban centres in England.

“They’ll run from the north down the east coast and through the central borders.

“Why pylons? Because they’re cheaper than either subsea or buried cables on land.

“So, our environment is to be trashed to provide England’s energy with neither economic benefit nor revenue for Scotland or her communities.

“If there is to be no zonal pricing for Scotland, then there should be no pylons destroying our countryside.

“Our message to the UK Government is that we are not your resource to be exploited.

“Our message to the Scottish Government is stand up for your countryside and your country.”