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Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond is a Scottish politician who served as the First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014. He was the leader of the Scottish National Party for over twenty years, having served for two terms, firstly from 1990 to 2000 and subsequently from 2004 to 2014. He was the Member of Parliament for Banff and Buchan between 1987 and 2010, when he stood down to focus on his other roles, and then for Gordon from 2015 to 2017, when he lost his seat to Scottish Conservative candidate Colin Clark. During the 2015–2017 parliament, he was the SNP International Affairs and Europe spokesperson in the House of Commons.

From 1987 to 2010, Salmond served as MP for Banff and Buchan. Following the establishment of the devolved Scottish Parliament in 1999, Salmond also served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Banff and Buchan from 1999 to 2001, while continuing to serve as that constituency's MP. Salmond served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Gordon from 2007 to 2011, and for Aberdeenshire East from 2011 to 2016.

Salmond resigned as SNP leader in 2000 and did not seek re-election to the Scottish Parliament. He did however retain his Westminster seat in the 2001 general election. Salmond was once again elected SNP leader in 2004 and the following year held his Banff and Buchan seat in the 2005 general election. In 2006 he announced his intention to contest Gordon in the 2007 Scottish Parliament election. Salmond defeated the incumbent MSP and the SNP emerged as the largest single party. After the SNP secured confidence and supply support from the Scottish Green Party, Salmond was voted First Minister by the Scottish Parliament on 16 May 2007. During his first term, he headed a minority Scottish Government. At the 2011 Scottish Parliament election the SNP won with an overall majority, a feat previously thought almost impossible under the additional member system used in elections for the Scottish Parliament.

Politically, Salmond is one of the foremost proponents of Scottish independence, repeatedly calling for a referendum on the issue. Salmond has campaigned on global warming and in government has committed Scotland to legislation on emission reduction and the generation of renewable energy. The day after the 2014 independence referendum, at which a majority of Scottish voters chose to remain part of the United Kingdom, Salmond announced his intention not to stand for re-election as leader of the SNP at the SNP National Conference in November, and to resign as First Minister thereafter. He was succeeded as SNP leader by his deputy, Nicola Sturgeon, as she was the only candidate to stand for the leadership election. He submitted his resignation as First Minister on 18 November, and was succeeded by Sturgeon the following day.In August 2018, Salmond resigned from the party after allegations of sexual misconduct. In January 2019, he was arrested and charged with 14 offences, including counts of attempted rape and sexual assault. Wikipedia  

✵ 31. December 1954
Alex Salmond photo
Alex Salmond: 183   quotes 2   likes

Alex Salmond Quotes

“I would welcome a Westminster election next month - just as long as it is not organised by the!”

Alex Salmond

Principles and Priorities : Programme for Government (September 5, 2007)

“We now have the opportunity to hold Westminster’s feet to the fire on the “vow” that they have made to devolve further meaningful power to Scotland. This places Scotland in a very strong position.”

Alex Salmond
Strong

“No Member State, even the most passionately pro-European, is always fully in agreement with all the policies of the EU. And all make their voice heard on the issues that affect them most. This is how Europe should work. It is how an independent Scotland would act.”

Alex Salmond

Vision for Scotland in the European Union (December 12, 2007)

Passion

“When our society is tested - we depend on the strength of the institutions which sustain that society - our churches, trade unions, charities, our universities and colleges, our legal system. And, of course, our political institutions, which should be a source of hope, a source of purpose.”

Alex Salmond

Scotland in the World Forum (February 4, 2008), Church of Scotland (May 25, 2009)

Hope , Universe , Dependency

“We must tackle the causes of personal debt, and not just the consequences.”

Alex Salmond

Citizens Advice Bureaux (August 15, 2007)

Personality

“A visible police presence on the streets is the best means we have of reassuring communities throughout Scotland. We know too that high visibility policing deters criminals.”

Alex Salmond

Principles and Priorities : Programme for Government (September 5, 2007)

Communication

“No matter the lie, even if I was on my own, I'd have to play it. I can hear my dad saying: 'Play the ball as it lies.' Because of the way I was taught, I would feel awful about it. I don't know if that makes me dead honest or dead stupid.”

Alex Salmond

Alex Salmond: The new king of Scotland http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/alex-salmond-the-new-king-of-scotland-889764.html, ' (9 August 2008)

Lie , Stupidity , Way , Feeling

“In the European Union of today, the obligation to provide international leadership rests on all nations - large and small.”

Alex Salmond

Scottish Government's relationship with Europe (July 11, 2007)

“It is unacceptable that eight of the ten areas in the UK with the lowest life expectancy are in remains higher than in some areas of the largest city in Scotland.”

Alex Salmond

Principles and Priorities : Programme for Government (September 5, 2007)

Life

“Whatever else we can say about this referendum campaign, we have touched sections of the community who've never before been touched by politics. These sections of the community have touched us and touched the political process. I don't think that will ever be allowed to go back to business as usual in politics again. So friends, sometimes it's best to reflect where we are on a journey. 45 per cent, 1.6 million of our fellow citizens voting for independence, I don't think that any of us whenever we entered politics would have thought such a thing to be either credible or possible. Today of all days as we bring Scotland together let us not dwell on the distance we have fallen short. Let us dwell on the distance we have travelled and have confidence that the movement is so broad in Scotland that it will take this nation forward and we shall go forward as one nation. Thank you very much.”

Alex Salmond

Speech http://news.scotland.gov.uk/Speeches-Briefings/First-Minister-on-referendum-outcome-106a.aspx at Dynamic Earth (19 September 2014).

Travel , Confidence , Communication , Business

“It is easier for us to talk of sacrifice and of change than it is to achieve them. Both can be difficult, sometimes painful. But we have guidance on this new path. We have ourselves, we have each other.”

Alex Salmond

Scotland in the World Forum (February 4, 2008), Church of Scotland (May 25, 2009)

Pain , Change

“I believe in the restoration of an independent Scotland. Others in this chamber take a different view. I welcome that debate and the national conversation to follow. The challenge for all of us is to have that conversation with dignity, with respect and with substance.”

Alex Salmond

Third Session of Parliament (June 30, 2007)

“Chilcot will not be a verdict, that much is clear. However, it could still supply the damning evidence for the jury to bring a conviction in. In a triumph of hope over experience my political sense tells me to expect fireworks.”

Alex Salmond
Hope , Sense

“No-one should have any trouble finding a party.”

Alex Salmond

St Andrew's Day (November 30, 2007)

“Whatever our constitutional arrangements and no matter how well off we are, there will always be a need for Scotland's citizens to talk about their problems. Therefore, we will always need independent, reliable and accurate advice to help guide them at certain points in their lives.”

Alex Salmond

Citizens Advice Bureaux (August 15, 2007)

Problem , Help

“A skilled people, an economy with a competitive edge. These are the ways to transform economic performance.”

Alex Salmond

Principles and Priorities : Programme for Government (September 5, 2007)

People , Way

“While we might always have enjoyed self-expression, we have perhaps at times lacked a little bit of self-belief.”

Alex Salmond

Broadcasting Speech (August 8, 2007)

Time

“Come on, this is big stuff. These are all tackling underlying issues – it's not just a question of striking and populist announcements.”

Alex Salmond
Question

“We have the assets, skills, knowledge and ideas to match and overtake our closest neighbours. By that I don't just mean the rest of the UK, but also the small, independent countries, Iceland, Norway, Ireland and Denmark, that form an arc of prosperity around our shores. … There is every reason to feel confident about our economic future. Every part of Scotland has the potential to take us towards our goal.”

Alex Salmond

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Lecture (December 19, 2007)

Feeling , Confidence , Idea , Knowledge

“I don't stand before you as the First Minister of an independent Scotland - that must wait for another day perhaps.”

Alex Salmond

Scotland and Northern Ireland (June 18, 2007)

Waiting

“Such are the joys of national leadership!”

Alex Salmond

Principles and Priorities : Programme for Government (September 5, 2007)

Joy

“We see barriers to business as barriers to national progress.”

Alex Salmond

Strategic objectives of new Government (May 23, 2007)

Business

“Scotland has a global identity. We have always been internationalists, looking beyond our shores for ideas, influences and ways that we can enrich others. Scotland has deep ties of kinship and history with the Commonwealth. And the Scots Diaspora has a prominent place in the history of the United States, Canada and many nations.”

Alex Salmond

Vision for Scotland in the European Union (December 12, 2007)

Way , History , Idea

“The scars remain and the wounds are still deep.”

Alex Salmond

Scottish Government's relationship with Europe (July 11, 2007)

“I wouldn't dream of intruding into a reserved matter.”

Alex Salmond

Principles and Priorities : Programme for Government (September 5, 2007)

Dreams

“It is not the purpose of Government to legislate - rather it is for Government and Parliament to legislate with a purpose.”

Alex Salmond

Principles and Priorities : Programme for Government (September 5, 2007)

“I don't think it's a good idea for politicians to design television programmes, but what we can do is design policies - and by implementing those policies we help to create an environment in which talented people can do great things, and significant and dynamic creative companies can be built for this generation and the next generation. That means having the infrastructure, the skills, and the education. We need a clear vision. We need to identify the opportunities and provide the resources.”

Alex Salmond

Broadcasting Speech (August 8, 2007)

People , Education , Idea , Thinking

“It is essential that we stress the importance of St Andrews Day to our children - to ensure that they grow up with a full appreciation of their rich heritage and what it means to be Scottish - confident and secure in their national identity and their place in the world.”

Alex Salmond

Source: St Andrew's Day (November 30, 2007)

Children , World , Confidence

“You are able to have disagreements as long as you’re straight talking – you say honestly what can and can’t be done.”

Alex Salmond

“There is a need to renew our economic institutions and the principles which guide them. Parts of the financial sector, we now know, were run on a false prospectus. With the rewards to some individuals completely divorced from basic ideas of fairness, or service. And, as it transpires, sadly those rewards were also divorced from any reasonable notion of lasting value. That could not be sustained. And it was not sustained.”

Alex Salmond

Scotland in the World Forum (February 4, 2008), Church of Scotland (May 25, 2009)

Idea , Parting , Falseness

“It is unfinished business.”

Alex Salmond

Alex Salmond: The coup against Corbyn was planned to stop him calling for Blair’s head after Chilcot http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/14594947.The_coup_against_Corbyn_was_planned_to_stop_him_calling_for_Blair___s_head_after_Chilcot/ (4 July 2016)

Business

“As you sowed, so Scotland reaped.”

Alex Salmond

Scotland in the World Forum (February 4, 2008), Church of Scotland (May 25, 2009)

“I believe that we must look outwards, not inwards, to test our true economic potential - measuring ourselves against our international competitors.”

Alex Salmond

Scotland in the World Forum (February 4, 2008)

“Our national story has its full share of grief and pain as well as triumph and expectation. But through it all, hope remains and dreams do not die.”

Alex Salmond

Third Session of Parliament (June 30, 2007)

Pain , Dreams , Hope

“The campaign was disgusting. It split on religious lines. It was one of those moments when you thought that ‘if politics is going to be like this, I’d like to go and do something else’.”

Alex Salmond

“This Prime Minister must be drummed from office and we will use each and every opportunity to make that a reality…But this Prime Minister deserves to be impeached - and we, with others, will present the case that he should be required to answer…I believe that this Prime Minister now operates outside the currency of debate, beyond the pale of decency…I don't just challenge the policies of Tony Blair, I challenge his morality…This is not a question of this Prime Minister - any prime minister - making a judgement call and just being wrong. It is not a matter, as Blair would have us believe, of someone acting in good faith and making an honest mistake. This is a man who buried the intelligence that was inconvenient, manipulated the information to suit his purpose, and entered into a secret pact with the American President to go to war come what may.”

Alex Salmond

Speech at the SNP annual conference (24 September 2004), quoted in The Independent, ' Salmond back with threat to impeach PM http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/salmond-back-with-threat-to-impeach-pm-6160873.html' (25 September 2004).

War , Secret , Faith , Intelligence

“Our churches are here to provide comfort and to offer hope as they always do in moments of extremity.”

Alex Salmond

Scotland in the World Forum (February 4, 2008), Church of Scotland (May 25, 2009)

Hope

“She is the living memorial as to why Scots want their own parliament.”

Alex Salmond

Remarks made after Margaret Thatcher opposed Scottish devolution (9 September 1997), The Times (10 September 1997), p. 8.

Memory

“While individuals must take responsibility for their spending, they are entitled to protections from outrageous credit charges.”

Alex Salmond

Citizens Advice Bureaux (August 15, 2007)

“Politicians often like to believe that we exist to make law - and that only through constantly changing the law we achieve our policy objectives. That view of political leadership is mistaken.”

Alex Salmond

Principles and Priorities : Programme for Government (September 5, 2007)

Law , Change

“Like any internationalist, I embrace Scotland's interdependence and the advantages that such interdependence confers. But in international relations - perhaps even more than the economic sphere - there are major advantages to pursuing an independent policy that promotes Scotland's global interests. Indeed it precisely because we live in an interdependent world - one where markets are integrating and information flow is unstoppable - a world where the reality of climate change acts as a daily reminder of our reliance on each other - that independence matters. Interdependence is a welcome fact of modern global politics. What matters in the Scottish national interest - above all else - are the terms on which Scotland engages. The equality of esteem, of authority between nations matters more now than it has ever done.”

Alex Salmond

Scotland in the World Forum (February 4, 2008)

World , Reality , Change

“As Scots our Celtic heritage ties us closely together. It binds us with our cousins in Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic and Wales. And with other Europeans lucky to blessed with good weather. We have Celtic cousins in Brittany, Galicia and Cornwall. Our is a heritage shared in a love of music and song, of poetry - and a special affinity with the sea and with nature.”

Alex Salmond

Vision for Scotland in the European Union (December 12, 2007)

Love , Music , Nature , Weather

“That sense of an inclusive Scottishness - one which does not simply tolerate diversity but rather celebrates it - is at the heart of what I want St Andrews Day to become.”

Alex Salmond

St Andrew's Day (November 30, 2007)

Sense , Heart

“Scotland will not be a foreign country after independence, any more than Ireland, Northern Ireland, England or Wales could ever be “foreign countries” to Scotland.”

Alex Salmond

Speech in Carlisle. http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/04/alex-salmonds-st-georges-day-speech-full-text (23 April 2014)

Country

“Our Gaelic language and culture has prevailed.”

Alex Salmond

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Lecture (December 19, 2007)

“I believe it is through independence that we can do most to help our nation to flourish, to improve our quality of life.”

Alex Salmond

Citizens Advice Bureaux (August 15, 2007)

Life , Help

“Many American presidents believe they are Irish by descent. Some believe themselves to be Scottish by descent. Actually, most of them are Scots-Irish by descent - certainly the good ones!”

Alex Salmond

Scotland and Northern Ireland (June 18, 2007)

“The Declaration of Arbroath of 1320 … was a challenge not just to the ambitions of our neighbour but too many of the accepted views of that time. As a statement of the 'community of the realm', the Declaration of Arbroath may be Europe's first statement of a contractual relationship between government and citizens.”

Alex Salmond

Scotland in the World Forum (February 4, 2008), Church of Scotland (May 25, 2009)

Communication , Time

“I have a particularly happy memory of a 's ability to score a penalty. I believe I am correct in saying that while papal infallibility is assured, the doctrine of the Church says much less about the infallibility of Cardinals. And even less about the infallibility of Paul McStay!”

Alex Salmond

Cardinal Winning Lecture (February 2, 2008)

Penalty , Memory , Happiness

“I want to see Scotland at the heart of Europe's energy policy and future.”

Alex Salmond

Vision for Scotland in the European Union (December 12, 2007)

Future , Heart