What Alex Salmond’s downfall means for Scottish nationalism
Resignation of former first minister could harm the SNP and even scupper a second independence referendum
Alex Salmond’s resignation from the SNP over claims of sexual misconduct looks to have brought the curtain down on one of the UK's most glittering political careers, but the looming scandal could have far bigger implications for the future of the party, Scottish nationalism and, by extension, the union.
Salmond was “for three decades a permanent star in the political firmament, loved and loathed in equal measure”, says The Independent’s Sean O’Grady, but his political legacy both north and south of the border cannot be questioned.
He was, more than any other figure, responsible for the recent resurgence of Scottish nationalism and the dominance of the SNP that has emerged since devolution in 1998, coming to within a hair’s breadth of achieving his dream of Scottish independence in 2014.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Yet a week after the former first minister launched an unprecedented judicial review of the Scottish government’s handling of two sexual misconduct complaints made against him, “it is hard to avoid talk of a major split within the party as well as potentially seismic repercussions for the pro-independence movement itself”, says The Guardian’s Scotland correspondent, Libby Brooks.
News that Salmond’s crowdfunding appeal to pay his legal costs had surpassed its £50,000 target in a matter of hours has only added to “an atmosphere of despair, a demeanour of despondency, around Team Sturgeon as they view the impact upon the party - it's a political problem for the SNP - and the cause of independence, which Mr Salmond believes he is partly ameliorating by stepping down while his court case is heard”, says BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor.
The Scottish Conservatives, who oppose a second independence referendum, said Salmond's crowdfunding appeal was “astonishing” as it meant Scotland “now faces the incredible and unprecedented situation of its most famous former first minister appealing to SNP supporters for cash to take legal action against the government he used to run”.
Writing in The Times, the head of the FDA civil service union, Dave Penman, described the events unfolding around Salmond as “unprecedented not only by the scale of the political fallout” but also, following his criticism of permanent secretary, Leslie Evans, because his actions had “undermined the integrity and impartiality of the civil service, thereby damaging the Scottish government itself”.
None of this bodes well for Sturgeon as she prepares to update Holyrood on her position regarding a second independence referendum this autumn.
The failure to win over the female vote to the pro-independence message was seen as one of the driving factors behind the Yes campaign’s loss four years ago.
Allegations of sexual misconduct, and even suggestions of an SNP cover-up or at the very least failure to properly investigate, would do little to convert women to the cause – and could scupper plans for a second vote entirely.
Were a second referendum to be called, the SNP would most likely be without its most effective and high-profile advocate – something that could make all the difference in a close-fought contest.
It was true Salmond’s star had waned since he stepped down as SNP leader following the referendum, but “observers of every stripe acknowledge Salmond’s continuing capacity to direct the news agenda with his usual hyperbolic flourish”, Brooks writes.
“If independence does eventually come to Scotland, there will be many claiming parenthood, but there will only be one man who has a just claim to be father of it”, says O’Grady. “Whether he will be in a sufficiently happy personal situation to be able to make much of it remains to be seen”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A flooded island, a ballistic missile, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Who actually needs life insurance?
The Explainer If you have kids or are worried about passing on debt, the added security may be worth it
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Sexual wellness trends to know, from products and therapies to retreats and hotels
The Week Recommends Talking about pleasure and sexual health is becoming less taboo
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Madagascar to allow surgical castration of paedophiles
The Explainer Activists say new law is a necessary deterrent against the country's 'rape culture'
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published