WATCH: Alex Salmond says the SNP has failed to make the north a ‘priority’ as he hits the campaign trail with Alba’s Highland Manifesto
Alba has made a bold claim on Highland voters by issuing a manifesto designed to tackle the needs of those in the north at an event at Kincraig Castle Hotel in Easter Ross earlier today.
Alex Salmond was in full election mode as hit out at the SNP for as he put “not making the Highlands a priority” as well as staking his party’s claim to be the real voice of the independence movement.
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Mr Salmond was realistic about the party’s chances in the general election, saying: “We see this as a preparation for Alba making a breakthrough at the Scottish elections in two years’ time.
“That is a proportional system and if Alba were get 15 per cent of the list vote, the regional vote then we would be in the Scottish Parliament with something like 24 seats and have a decisive role in the next government of Scotland.
“And, of course, the Highlands will have a decisive role.”
The 18 page manifesto set out an ambitious but targeted plan that Mr Salmond said would – should Alba enjoy success at the 2026 election – become part of his party’s programme for government.
The “key commitment” is for independence won through the ballot box with each and every election seeking a 50 per cent plus one majority in favour to then hold a referendum.
According to the Highland Manifesto that would mean “a vote for Alba is a vote for Independence and Home Rule for the Highlands”, which is one of the four main areas of the manifesto. Earlier speaking to supporters he said if given the chance again then he would “make Westminster dance.”
The “Home Rule for the Highlands – local government, land reform and culture” seeks to create “a reformed local government structure that transfers power from central government to local communities.”
The main change here is the creation of smaller regional authorities along the lines of the current councils but smaller that work closely with new community assemblies with “more powers and devolved budgets” that would replace community councils.
“The people’s agenda – housing, health and education” aims to build 1500 affordable homes a year across the Highlands and Islands up to 2050 so that young Highlanders stood a chance at remaining close to home.
On health Caithness maternity care would be reinstated while establishing “a partnership with another NHS trust for rotational positions to bring experienced consultants to Caithness.”
The “Economic Powerhouse” section focuses on creating a “robust industrial strategy” through investment in infrastructure and connectivity, skills development for rural entrepreneurs and incentivising inward investment.
Finally, “Building Up the Highlands – transport, infrastructure and energy” looks at issuing Scottish Government bonds to fund the completion of the A9 while electrifying the and dualling the Highland mainline railway. That aims to double passenger and freight capacity by 2040.
And what is perhaps the most crucial commitment for Scotland’s economy of all – “every single newly licensed onshore and offshore wind farm will have a community share attached” in a bid to replicate Norway’s success with oil and gas.
