Ash Regan Leaves SNP to Join Alba Party as First MSP

Regan, former SNP leadership contender, defects to Alba critiquing SNP's waning focus on Scottish independence, set to assume leadership role in Holyrood.

• Ash Regan, former Scottish National Party (SNP) leadership candidate, has left the party to join the Alba Party, making her the Alba Party's first Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP).
• Regan, who received just over 11% of votes in a race to succeed former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, said her decision to leave the SNP was due to its 'lost focus on independence'.
• Her decision follows MP Lisa Cameron's recent act of quitting SNP to join the Conservatives, raising questions about the state of the party.
• The announcement of her joining Alba was made during a party conference in Glasgow, where party founder Alex Salmond expressed delight at Regan's commitment to Scottish independence.
• Regan, who formerly served as the community safety minister but resigned her post to vote against gender recognition reforms, promises a clear focus on reinvigorating the cause of Scottish independence and is set to assume a leadership role for Alba at Holyrood.

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