Former SNP MP Angus Brendan MacNeil joins Alba party

Announcing his move to Alba, MacNeil criticised the SNP for failing to develop a strategy to achieve Scottish independence.

“It is six years since the SNP hierarchy proclaimed it didn’t need a Plan B and then when the Plan A ran out they hadn’t a clue what to do,” he said.

MacNeil is considering running at the Holyrood elections in 2026.

“I might put myself forward if there were indications that people wanted me to do that. If it helps to kick start independence I would do,” he said.

Alba was founded by former First Minister Alex Salmond in February 2021. He led the party until his death in October.

Following his expulsion from the SNP, MacNeil sat as an independent MP in the “Scotland United2 group, with then Alba MPs Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey.

Alba general secretary Chris McEleny said MacNeil had been in talks with Salmond to join the party before his death.

“Angus Brendan MacNeil will not be the last high-profile new member of Alba Party in the coming weeks and months,” he said.

“Angus is one of the most experienced parliamentarians in Scotland. His experience as the former chair of the Energy Select Committee will be warmly welcomed in Alba Party as we continue to promote policies that highlight the absurdity of fuel poor Scots living in an energy rich Scotland.”