The SNP, almost exhaustively lampooned as a pariah in British politics, representing more of a parliamentary thorn rather than a serious Scottish front, has been baking in the spotlight recently. The party is routinely subject to fiery news coverage with scandals acting as landmines for the party's reputation.
Alex Salmond’s sudden death has effectively turned the tables on existing media tropes of the SNP. First minister for seven years until narrowly losing the 2014 independence referendum, his death has brought up his years of Scottish advocacy and public debate. He died of a heart attack after delivering a speech at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Forum in Ohri'd, North Macedonia. According to the independent, Salmond collapsed as he opened a bottle of ketchup during a lunch immediately after he delivered his speech.
Salmond was a towering figure in Scottish politics for over three decades, serving as the leader of the SNP in two separate periods, and casting a long shadow even after stepping down as leader now more than a decade ago. Under his leadership, the SNP transitioned from a political fringe movement to the ruling party of Scotland.
His most defining moment came in 2014 when he spearheaded the Scottish independence referendum, which, although unsuccessful, brought the issue of independence to the forefront of Scottish and UK politics. The referendum saw 45% of Scots vote in favour of leaving the United Kingdom, a remarkable achievement that continues to define Scotland’s political landscape.
Following his passing, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer communicated his condolences, describing Salmond as a "monumental figure in Scottish and UK politics" who shaped much of the national debate during his career. Scotland’s current First Minister John Swinney, and former SNP leader in the commons Ian Blackford also expressed their condolences.
Nicola Sturgeon, Salmond’s former deputy and successor as SNP leader, described him as her "mentor" reflecting on the significant role he played in shaping her own political career. Despite the open controversy and political difficulties that arose between them in later years, Sturgeon paid warm tribute to the man who had defined a generation of Scottish politics.
Salmond’s political career was marked not only by his success in leading the SNP to power, but also by his strategic initiative and strong determination. Unlike most career politicians, he had the rare ability to connect with voters from all walks of life, blending populism with a deep sense of national pride.
This skill allowed him to position the SNP as a credible alternative to the dominant 2 party status quo present at the time, allowing him to inflict a crushing defeat on both the Conservative and Labour parties in Scotland, with the party winning a majority in the Scottish Parliament under his leadership in 2011.
Salmond was, to put it mildly, not one to rest on his laurels. In 2021 he formed the Alba Party after a well-publicised rift with Sturgeon and the SNP leadership. Alba, though smaller in scale, was another vehicle for his lifelong goal of Scottish independence, which he had planned to kickstart in 2026. Deputy Alba leader Kenny MacAskill expressed deep sorrow over Salmond’s passing, stating that the party "grieves the loss of their founder and leader."
Despite his achievements in public office, Salmond was also known for his personal warmth, generosity, and commitment to his family. His loved ones described him as "a formidable politician" with "incredible kindness." Salmond was admired by many for his ability to listen, his resilience, and his optimism, which inspired both his colleagues and his constituents.
Internationally, Salmond came to be respected as an unlikely statesman. His sudden death sent shockwaves through the political world, with figures such as former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Scottish actor Brian Cox acknowledging his vast contributions to public life. Salmond’s legacy as a champion of Scottish independence is unmatched, and his influence will continue to be felt in the years to come.
Image: Wikimedia Commons/XIIIfromTOKYO
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