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What does Alex Salmond’s Alba Party mean for Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP?

Anoosh Chakelian and Ailbhe Rea discuss the latest in UK politics on the New Statesman podcast.

Alex Salmond has returned to Scottish politics by launching the pro-independence Alba party – a move that, according to the New Statesman, makes the Scottish independence movement look like an “utter, unsupportable shambles”.

On this episode of the New Statesman Podcast, Anoosh Chakelian and Ailbhe Rea discuss the implications for Scottish voters, and whether Salmond’s return to the political arena is appropriate.

Then, in You Ask Us, they look at a weekend of briefings about a potential reshuffle of Keir Starmer’s top team.

Further reading

Ailbhe has been following the developments in Scotland and argues that Salmond’s return to politics raises grave questions about what we accept in public life. She also asks what is the point of Alex Salmond’s new Alba party?

She also reports on the latest developments in the Labour Party, and asks whether Keir Starmer will sack Anneliese Dodds.

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Elswhere, Anoosh has been exploring the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the NHS backlog. Read her extended data piece here.

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Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
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