Love or loathe him Alex Salmond – there is no doubt that under the leadership of the keen golfer and horse racing fan, the SNP rose to power and became a powerhouse party north of the border.

And some would say that if it were not for the political talent of Mr Salmond, there would have been no Scottish independence referendum at all in 2014. There can be little doubt that Salmond’s professional and personal lives were characterised by ups and downs. Yet the fact remains that he led the SNP to many victories, and saw them challenge the status quo and the British state in a manner unthinkable when he first became an SNP MP.

Those present during the last few days of the 2014 referendum will remember the distinct feeling that maybe, just maybe, the SNP could pull off a win, and an independent Scotland – a dream he shared with millions of others – could be a possibility.

Salmond reshaped the SNP, he reshaped the political landscape of Scotland, and his legacy cannot be overstated. It was often said he would never cease promoting the cause of Scottish independence while he still had breath in his body. Alex Salmond took the SNP from electoral irrelevance to the governance of Scotland. He was the most astute, gifted, and energetic politician of his generation. It may be a cliché to say that we’ll never see his like again

Our Branch and many others throughout Scotland are shocked and still trying to come to terms with Alex demise we can only hope that his dream will never die and we will never forget debt we owe him.

 

Alex Salmond

1954 – 2024