Fife election candidates stood down after Alex Salmond's Alba party launch

A political party which planned to field candidates in Fife at the forthcoming Scottish parliamentary election has stood them all down.
Scottish Parliament buildingScottish Parliament building
Scottish Parliament building

Action For Independence (AFI) had five prospective candidates pencilled in to bid for the list seat of Mid-Scotland and Fife.

But they were all stood down after the launch of former First Minister Alex Salmond’s ‘list only’ Alba party.

AFI was set up last July by former SNP MSP Dave Thomson.

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The decision came just hours after unveiling its candidates for the seat which covers the Kingdom. The five were Martin Keatings, Alison Brown, Craig Dempsey, Eleanor Bennet and Craig Duncan.

In a statement endorsing Mr Salmond’s new party, AFI said it was “gratified that its concept of Max the Yes and the building of a supermajority of independence supporting MSPs has been taken up by such a highly credible party with such influential leadership.

“The Alba Party is to all intents and purposes “AFI 2” and we note that the ideas, slogans and Max the Yes concept it employs were all spawned by AFI.

AFI’s members were right in pursuing the Max the Yes concept and they should all be proud of the part they have played in paving the way for an independence supermajority.

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AFI’s aim has always been to unite the Yes family on the regional lists and we are confident that the Alba Party, with the help of AFI’s members, will succeed in doing that.”

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