@Jkp
I suppose a "big name" like Salmond could win either a constituency seat or a list (as per Margo MacDonald). Otherwise AP can't make much of an impact. There is also a danger that AP could dilute the pro-independance vote.
It will be interesting to see what happens to the SNP vote in this election. What will be the effect of the Salmond affair?
@fitheach Tory black op?
@wim_v12e
I shouldn't think so. Salmond has always been a thorn in the side of the British establishment. I don't see that changing now.
@fitheach I wasn't serious but I can't see many positives in having this new party.
@wim_v12e
It depends. The SNP win a lot of constituency seats, so, also winning list seats becomes very difficult. Another pro-independence party could then win those list seats, *if* they can get a big enough share of the vote. This close to an election it will be difficult for a new party to get recognition. That's why "big names" in a new party have a better chance.
@fitheach There is another pro-independence party already, the greens. So I think this will simply make votes shift, not generate extra votes for independence.
And I think this is really a Salmond vs Sturgeon split, which would make for an uncomfortable coalition.
@wim_v12e
Yeah, I was thinking of the SNP consequences, but the Alba party could have an even bigger impact on the Green list vote. A lot of votes for the Greens at the last election were SNP supporters lending their votes. John Finnie, for example, probably benefited from this effect.
@jk
The Greens may well be the losers in this election, because of the Alba Party. I know lots of SNP supporters who "lent" their list vote to the Greens, at the previous election. An additional alternative indie party may see the Green vote decrease.
As the AP is unlikely to gain constituency seats it will increase their likelihood of getting list seats from the Unionist parties.
@jk
Aye, agreed.
The Tories might be vulnerable to a few loses because they have a few constituency seats. Here's hoping.
In Highlands & Islands the Greens not only have to worry about AP, but also Andy Wightman, who is standing as an independent.
@fitheach
My immediate thoughts were that this is not a good thing and will dilute the drive for independence but, having read some of the opinions since the announcement, I'm not so sure that is the case.
I was pretty sure of how I would vote in May until this muddied the water a little.
I'm still sure that I will be voting for our Independence though and, since I can't see Alba taking a majority anywhere anytime soon, then I suspect it has to be SNP for me again.
Those are my thoughts :)