In his New Year video message to ALBA Party members former Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond, has said that “with every New Year comes a new hope”

 

In an address which highly praises those in the front line of the Covid pandemic – health workers, emergency services and community activists – for service “above and beyond the call of any duty” Salmond is sharply critical of the political leadership saying

 

“While science gave us the weapons to fight the virus they have not been fully utilised. We have hardly made a start on vaccinating the planet and didn’t even boost enough of our own population before the inevitable variants arrived”.

 

Turning to domestic politics, Salmond predicts that the new ALBA Party will find its role and impact as the “political force who sees the immediate priority of taking our county forward to independence”

 

In order that we can mobilise the expertise , the resources the people of Scotland to heal and rebuild our country and make our own distinctive contribution to the world”.

 

FULL TEXT OF ALEX SALMOND’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE

 

“Today is my birthday – Hogmanay

 

But this is not an appeal for last minute presents more a reflection that few of us have had much to celebrate over these last two years – bits of light here and there but not too much.

 

There are very few people alive who have felt the impact of a global pandemic and no politicians at all who have experienced anything on this scale. It shows.

 

If New Year gun is a time for reflection then leaders cross the world and much closer to home might reflect that while science gave us the weapons to fight the virus then they have not been fully utilised. We have hardly made a start on vaccinating the planet and didn’t even boost enough of our own population before the inevitable variants arrived.

 

But there are reasons for hope which lie in the resolve of communities and the courage of those in our essential services. Many many people have gone above and beyond the call of any duty to keep society as safe as possible and limit human suffering. To all of them all of us owe a debt of gratitude.

 

But as New Year is a time for reflection it’s also a time for resolution. In his last year we have founded a band new party – ALBA which stands for Scotland. That seldom gets done. Indeed it has never been done under these conditions.

 

However as the dark clouds of Covid pass and sunlight breaks through ALBA will find its role and make its impact as a political force who sees the immediate priority of taking our country forward to independence.

 

In order that we can mobilise the expertise , the resources the people of Scotland to heal and rebuild our country and make our own distinctive contribution to the world.

 

For all of us it is a lifetime ambition for some a life’s work. It hasn’t always seemed close in recent times but with every New Year comes a new hope.

And so to you and yours let me wish you and your families a truly guid New Year.”