I’ve created a list sorting the ALBA candidates by first preference votes as a percentage, to see where was strongest to begin the analysis of where things went well.
| Rank | Council | Ward | First Pref Vote |
| 1 | Glasgow City Council | Ward 8 Southside Central | 8.07% |
| 2 | Comhairle nan Eilean Siar | Ward 2 Uibhist a Deas Èirisgeigh agus Beinn na Faoghla | 7.04% |
| 3 | North Lanarkshire Council | Ward 10 – Coatbridge West | 6.52% |
| 4 | Aberdeenshire Council | Ward 3 – Fraserburgh and District | 5.83% |
| 5 | North Lanarkshire Council | Ward 16 – Mossend and Holytown | 5.22% |
| 6 | Dundee City Council | Ward 5 – Maryfield | 5.08% |
| 7 | North Lanarkshire Council | Ward 18 – Motherwell North | 5.04% |
| 8 | Falkirk Council | Ward 6 – Falkirk North | 4.55% |
| 9 | Fife Council | Ward 5 – Rosyth | 3.96% |
| 10 | Aberdeen City Council | Kincorth/Nigg/Cove Ward | 3.84% |
| 11 | Inverclyde Council | Ward 3 – Inverclyde Central | 3.82% |
| 12 | The Highland Council | Eilean a’ Cheò | 3.68% |
| 13 | Dundee City Council | Ward 7 – East End | 3.67% |
| 14 | Glasgow City Council | Ward 6 Pollokshields | 3.54% |
| 15 | The Highland Council | Culloden and Ardersier | 3.34% |
| 16 | Dundee City Council | Ward 2 – Lochee | 3.15% |
| 17 | Argyll & Bute Council | Ward 5 – Oban North and Lorn | 2.86% |
| 18 | Dundee City Council | Ward 6 – North East | 2.69% |
| 19 | Inverclyde Council | Ward 5 – Inverclyde West | 2.64% |
| 20 | East Ayrshire Council | Ward 2 – Kilmarnock North | 2.55% |
| 21 | Aberdeen City Council | Tillydrone/Seaton/Old Aberdeen Ward | 2.52% |
| 22 | Dundee City Council | Ward 4 – Coldside | 2.52% |
| 23 | North Lanarkshire Council | Ward 9 – Airdrie Central | 2.50% |
| 24 | North Lanarkshire Council | Ward 7 – Coatbridge North | 2.48% |
| 25 | Aberdeen City Council | Northfield/Mastrick North Ward | 2.48% |
| 26 | Aberdeen City Council | Torry/Ferryhill Ward | 2.46% |
| 27 | Aberdeenshire Council | Ward 4 – Central Buchan | 2.38% |
| 28 | Argyll & Bute Council | Ward 8 – Isle of Bute | 2.36% |
| 29 | Aberdeenshire Council | Ward 5 – Peterhead North and Rattray | 2.36% |
| 30 | Angus Council | Ward 5 – Carnoustie and District | 2.28% |
| 31 | North Lanarkshire Council | Ward 15 – Bellshill | 2.25% |
| 32 | Glasgow City Council | Ward 4 Cardonald | 2.20% |
| 33 | Fife Council | Ward 15 – Glenrothes Central & Thornton | 2.17% |
| 34 | Perth & Kinross Council | Ward 11 – Perth City North | 2.17% |
| 35 | Clackmannanshire Council | Ward 2 Clackmannanshire North | 2.09% |
| 36 | Glasgow City Council | Ward 5 Govan | 2.04% |
| 37 | Glasgow City Council | Ward 9 Calton | 1.98% |
| 38 | The City of Edinburgh Council | Ward 7 – Sighthill/Gorgie | 1.96% |
| 39 | Fife Council | Ward 10 – Kirkcaldy North | 1.95% |
| 40 | Glasgow City Council | Ward 2 Newlands/Auldburn | 1.94% |
| 41 | East Ayrshire Council | Ward 5 – Kilmarnock South | 1.88% |
| 42 | The Highland Council | Inverness South | 1.88% |
| 43 | South Lanarkshire Council | Ward 14 – Cambuslang East | 1.84% |
| 44 | Aberdeenshire Council | Ward 1 – Banff and District | 1.84% |
| 45 | The City of Edinburgh Council | Ward 16 – Liberton/Gilmerton | 1.79% |
| 46 | Dundee City Council | Ward 1 – Strathmartine | 1.76% |
| 47 | Aberdeenshire Council | Ward 19 – Mearns | 1.71% |
| 48 | Aberdeenshire Council | Ward 10 – West Garioch | 1.68% |
| 49 | Glasgow City Council | Ward 16 Canal | 1.66% |
| 50 | Glasgow City Council | Ward 17 Springburn/Robroyston | 1.65% |
| 51 | Glasgow City Council | Ward 12 Victoria Park | 1.64% |
| 52 | South Ayrshire Council | Ward 3 – Ayr North | 1.61% |
| 53 | Fife Council | Ward 17 – Tay Bridgehead | 1.59% |
| 54 | The City of Edinburgh Council | Ward 13 – Leith | 1.53% |
| 55 | Scottish Borders Council | Ward 9 – Jedburgh & District | 1.51% |
| 56 | East Dunbartonshire Council | Ward 4 – Bishopbriggs North & Campsie | 1.50% |
| 57 | The Highland Council | Nairn and Cawdor | 1.49% |
| 58 | South Ayrshire Council | Ward 6 – Kyle | 1.47% |
| 59 | Glasgow City Council | Ward 18 East Centre | 1.45% |
| 60 | East Dunbartonshire Council | Ward 5 – Bishopbriggs South | 1.43% |
| 61 | Fife Council | Ward 1 – West Fife & Coastal Villages | 1.39% |
| 62 | Inverclyde Council | Ward 4 – Inverclyde North | 1.39% |
| 63 | West Lothian Council | Ward 2 – Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh | 1.39% |
| 64 | West Lothian Council | Ward 6 – Fauldhouse and the Breich Valley | 1.38% |
| 65 | Angus Council | Ward 6 – Arbroath West, Letham and Friockheim | 1.32% |
| 66 | Fife Council | Ward 4 – Dunfermline South | 1.32% |
| 67 | Midlothian Council | Ward 3 – Dalkeith | 1.30% |
| 68 | Falkirk Council | Ward 8 – Lower Braes | 1.30% |
| 69 | Fife Council | Ward 22 – Buckhaven Methil & Wemyss Villages | 1.29% |
| 70 | Fife Council | Ward 9 – Burntisland Kinghorn & Western Kirkcaldy | 1.29% |
| 71 | Fife Council | Ward 7 – Cowdenbeath | 1.28% |
| 72 | East Renfrewshire Council | Ward 3 – Giffnock and Thornliebank | 1.27% |
| 73 | The City of Edinburgh Council | Ward 17 – Portobello/Craigmillar | 1.27% |
| 74 | South Lanarkshire Council | Ward 7 – East Kilbride Central South | 1.27% |
| 75 | Glasgow City Council | Ward 1 Linn | 1.27% |
| 76 | East Renfrewshire Council | Ward 5 – Newton Mearns South and Eaglesham | 1.25% |
| 77 | The City of Edinburgh Council | Ward 12 – Leith Walk | 1.23% |
| 78 | East Ayrshire Council | Ward 3 – Kilmarnock West and Crosshouse | 1.21% |
| 79 | Midlothian Council | Ward 4 – Midlothian West | 1.20% |
| 80 | The City of Edinburgh Council | Ward 11 – City Centre | 1.19% |
| 81 | Dumfries & Galloway Council | Ward 11 – Annandale North | 1.18% |
| 82 | Fife Council | Ward 3 – Dunfermline Central | 1.18% |
| 83 | Inverclyde Council | Ward 2 – Inverclyde East Central | 1.18% |
| 84 | South Ayrshire Council | Ward 2 – Prestwick | 1.17% |
| 85 | South Ayrshire Council | Ward 8 – Girvan and South Carrick | 1.16% |
| 86 | Clackmannanshire Council | Ward 4 Clackmannanshire South | 1.16% |
| 87 | Falkirk Council | Ward 9 – Upper Braes | 1.15% |
| 88 | East Lothian Council | Ward 1 – Musselburgh | 1.14% |
| 89 | Dundee City Council | Ward 3 – West End | 1.12% |
| 90 | Renfrewshire Council | Ward 4 – Paisley Northwest | 1.11% |
| 91 | Glasgow City Council | Ward 7 Langside | 1.10% |
| 92 | East Renfrewshire Council | Ward 1 – Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor | 1.10% |
| 93 | South Lanarkshire Council | Ward 5 – Avondale and Stonehouse | 1.09% |
| 94 | East Lothian Council | Ward 5 – Haddington and Lammermuir | 1.09% |
| 95 | South Lanarkshire Council | Ward 6 – East Kilbride South | 1.08% |
| 96 | Glasgow City Council | Ward 3 Greater Pollok | 1.04% |
| 97 | East Lothian Council | Ward 2 – Preston, Seton and Gosford | 1.03% |
| 98 | Dundee City Council | Ward 8 – The Ferry | 1.02% |
| 99 | North Ayrshire Council | Ward 01 – North Coast | 1.02% |
| 100 | The City of Edinburgh Council | Ward 10 – Morningside | 0.97% |
| 101 | Fife Council | Ward 16 – Howe Of Fife & Tay Coast | 0.96% |
| 102 | Angus Council | Ward 4 – Monifieth and Sidlaw | 0.93% |
| 103 | Perth & Kinross Council | Ward 12 – Perth City Centre | 0.91% |
| 104 | East Renfrewshire Council | Ward 2 – Newton Mearns North and Neilston | 0.91% |
| 105 | West Lothian Council | Ward 8 – Bathgate | 0.90% |
| 106 | Midlothian Council | Ward 1 – Penicuik | 0.89% |
| 107 | Midlothian Council | Ward 6 – Midlothian South | 0.89% |
| 108 | Stirling Council | Ward 3 – Dunblane and Bridge of Allan | 0.86% |
| 109 | East Lothian Council | Ward 3 – Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry | 0.85% |
| 110 | Aberdeenshire Council | Ward 13 – Westhill and District | 0.84% |
| 111 | Glasgow City Council | Ward 23 Partick East/Kelvindale | 0.79% |
*Linn By-Election (17th November 2022) – 1.8% (45th position)
Whether you like it or not, you simply cannot ignore the Salmond factor. The reason Alba party came into existence could be the major issue in its continuing failure. The complete hatchet job that snp/Scot Gov has pulled off has completely tainted his reputation and the public’s minds are now closed to him. He was and is a divisive figure only more so now, with factions in the yes movement, including the party of government, a government he once headed, now firmly entrenched in either for or against positions.
If he decides to take a back seat, whether voluntarily or he’s “telt” to, it would be interesting to see how the electorate viewed Alba party if he wasn’t front and centre. Can Alba party flourish post Alex? or, at least in the short term, is any association with the former SNP leader and first minister tainted?
The council election results were deeply disappointing and from that there should be a review of leadership and tactics employed during the campaign. I was of the opinion that it was a fight that Alba didn’t have to make, as the results, good or bad brought us no closer to independence and council elections should be about providing local services.
One thing should be crystal clear though, carry on regardless is not an option.
Don’t be daft Cameron. ALBA wouldn’t last two minutes without Salmond.
We know this from fate of ISP – half a dozen candidates average 0.5 of the vote – compared to ALBA 111 candidates average 2 per cent.
Your strategy of ducking elections would hardly work – OK for a think tank not for a political party.
ALBA’’s progress should not be underrated – 7000 members, 2 real Conferences and Wee ALBA Book. With a bit more organisational know how to add to the enthusiasm they would have had a victory in Sturgeon’s back yard last week.
Of these the Wee Book is most important. I was at the Ayr meeting a couple of weeks back – big audience Salmond on fire.
Electoral progress will be slow but if we arrive at next Scottish elections with no move to INDY then ALBA’s time will come. They should plan on that four year timescale.
That’s the thing though, I believe Salmond expected a breakthrough at SP elections last May,we all did, it didn’t happen, even in Salmond’s own patch it didn’t happen, where were his grassroots voters when it mattered?
It now looks like he’s playing some kind of waiting game, if the SNP defaults on independence /referendum again, the electorate who have rejected Alba are going to flock there now? Really?
My concern is that with growing corruption and incompetence shown by snp Scot/Gov coming to light on such a regular basis the public’s trust of a supposed independence party will errode, and these voters will return to unionist parties.
We all hoped for a breakthrough last year. In retrospect a party formed days before an election fought in pandemic conditions with a message (super majority) which was valid, but hardly easy for any member of the public without a politics degree, wasn’t the best of timing.
However we are where we are. The SNP have promised a referendum in 23. If they deliver well and good , let’s unite behind the Nicola banner. But if they don’t then planning now to breakthrough with a committed Independence Party in 2026 is not a pipe dream – indeed it is essential if we are to see independence in our natural spans.
Your point about the mediocre record of the Sturgeon SNP makes the point. Take away the independence vote and the SNP would be flat as a pancake. All the more reason to have an indy alternative unencumbered by SNP/Green failings in Government.
None of this is easy but it is 10 times more likely with Salmond than without him. If you are really committed to this cause then I would suggest jotting down an email to the ALBA leader asking him to embark on that journey with the rest of us and not to ride into the sunset.
My commitment to the cause is not the issue, the electorate’s rejection of Salmond is.
It doesn’t say a lot for party policy if as you say, it wouldn’t last two minutes without him.
There was a face saver for Alex in the role of President, as the author of this essay has said. Those that insisted that he be nominated as leader and front man did him no favours at all, it prolongs his public humiliation all the more.
There is an alternative of MacAskill as leader, Hanvey as depute, both elected politicians with Salmond free to concentrate on tactics. Some of those hoping for glory by clinging to Salmond’s coat tails may then have the opportunity to show their own worth.
I agree, it’s not easy, no magic wand but as Alba party settles into the long game they must ensure that their two elected MPs are not lost as I fear this would be the end.
Your commitment to the cause is the issue since quite clearly it’s genuine nature it is in question.
Not one of the SNP minnows , including Sturgeon, would have amounted to anything without Salmond, who is the only politician the British state has truly feared since Parnell.
Luckily for us he has decided to stick around to guide the country to Indy.
Bit puzzled by your opening salvo!
The nature of political debate in any free society is to be able to question, something that the party of government in Scotland seems all too ready to stifle and I’d hoped that this was a trait that would have been completely alien with the Alba party.
It seems like a mirror image of what’s happened with snp, absolutely no questioning of Sturgeon will be tolerated. Surely Alba would want to be seen as a party where differing opinions could be aired?
Aye, the British State feared him, only pity is the public won’t vote for him.