What is the Alba Party as MPs are thrown out of House of Commons for heckling Boris Johnson

Amid weeks of chaos in the world of UK politics, with over 50 ministers resigning and Prime Minister Boris Johnson stepping down, two MPs have been removed from the House of Commons.

On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle struggled to get ministers in the House under control, following the loud heckling of the Prime Minister.

Eventually reaching the end of his tether, the Speaker named Alba Party members Neil Hanvey MP and Kenny MacAskill MP and requested for them to be removed.

He said: “I will not tolerate such behaviour,” before naming the Scottish nationalist politicians who are part of Alex Salmond’s party.

Many are now wondering what the Alba Party is and what the name means. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is the Alba Party and when was it founded by Alex Salmond?

The Alba Party is a political party that was launched with an aim to focus on independence for Scotland. It was founded by former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond on February 8, 2021.

On its website, the party states its aims, which are: “National Independence for Scotland as an immediate necessity, and overwhelming priority, achieved by democratic means through a vote of people resident in Scotland.

“The promotion of all Scottish interests, and the building of an economically successful and socially-just independent country, through the pursuit of a social-democratic programme.

“The acceptance by the Scottish people of a written constitution for the newly independent country; defending the rights, liberties and equality of all citizens before the law.”

The website outlines this further, stating that the party believes the Scottish Government should commence independence negotiations with Westminister as a priority. Failing this, the party calls for a cross-party campaign of parliamentary action.

It also suggests that the Scottish Government calls an Independence Convention with all elected Scottish representatives to “give legitimacy and democratic authority” to the independence bid.

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Upon its launch, Salmond said it expected a minimum of four candidates in each regional list with hopes of electing Alba Members of the Scottish Parliament from every area of Scotland.

What does Alba mean and why was the name chosen?

Alba is simply the Scottish-Gaelic name for Scotland, which may explain why Alex Salmond chose the name for his party.

Derived from the Ancient Greek and Latin word ‘Albion’, it was altered to become ‘Alba’ by Gaelic speakers.

You may also recognise the name from BBC Alba, the broadcasting service’s Scottish-Gaelic channel.