Alex Salmond: Quotes about people

Alex Salmond is Scottish National Party politician and former First Minister of Scotland. Explore interesting quotes on people.

Alex Salmond: 366 quotes2 likes

“I’m naturally suspicious of people who wear religion heavily on their sleeves”

Alex Salmond

Context: I do have a strong faith and always have had, I’m not a regular churchgoer now but I’m in church a lot – to do readings, to attend events and so on. I had a strong church upbringing which I think has been invaluable to me in terms of a moral compass – of some idea of what’s acceptable and what is not acceptable. I have a Presbyterian nature in that I like its ideas of individual responsibility and democracy. I’m naturally suspicious of people who wear religion heavily on their sleeves – that’s just not me and my style.

“The Scots were thus truly a chosen people, highly favoured of the Lord!”

Alex Salmond

St Andrew's Day (November 30, 2007)

“One of my central missions in politics is to encourage the people of Scotland to share a restored belief in themselves. A sense of the possible. A sense of ambition. A restless eye for national advancement.”

Alex Salmond

St Andrew's Day (November 30, 2007)

“The unionist parties are giving ground. The status quo is indefensible, confidence in the nation is rising, the case for consulting the people is unanswerable. That debate on our future is more than conceptual, or philosophical. It must also be about practical steps.”

Alex Salmond

St Andrew's Day (November 30, 2007)

“Through religious education, our young people also learn respect for and an understanding of other beliefs and how to make a positive difference to themselves and the world by putting their beliefs and values into action.”

Alex Salmond

Cardinal Winning Lecture (February 2, 2008)

“Scotland is not confused, nor are we a people ill at ease.”

Alex Salmond

Third Session of Parliament (June 30, 2007)

“The real guardians of progress are not the politicians at Westminster, or even at Holyrood, but the energised activism of tens of thousands of people who I predict will refuse meekly to go back into the political shadows.”

Alex Salmond

“We have the political engine behind us. We have a public that is willing to listen to the arguments we are putting forward, and we will gain converts to those arguments. We believe people will come to the right conclusion. We trust them.”

Alex Salmond

“It is an act of dubious legality, but above all one of unpardonable folly. [The bombing] may make matters even worse for the very people it is meant to be helping…if we are to sanction intervention in Serbia then the policy must be capable of achieving two things. It must be capable of weakening Milosevic and helping Kosovo. A bombing campaign will do neither, indeed the chances are it will make both worse.”

Alex Salmond

Televised address (29 March 1999), quoted in BBC News, ' UK Politics Nato bombing 'unpardonable folly' http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/307225.stm' (29 March 1999).

“It's not to pretend you can do everything, but if people like you – in the sense of admiring or having respect for what you are trying to do – then they will understand the odd blemish. If people don't like you, and lack confidence in what you are trying to do, they won't forgive you anything.”

Alex Salmond

“When this assembly reconvened, the world's media descended - doubtless seeking signs of strife and discord. What struck me then and indeed strikes me today was the ability of members to understand and respect their differences - however fundamental - whilst committing to providing better government for the people of Northern Ireland.”

Alex Salmond

Scotland and Northern Ireland (June 18, 2007)

“Let no-one mistake. This Church, and other faith groups, have the ability to be agents for change and change for the better. … You have worked to promote understanding among faiths. To tackle sectarianism. To promote development worldwide. … And let me say that for our Parliament, that is something that may not yet be formally our responsibility. But it is, in reality, our obligation. … In ancient times it was said that Sparta had no city walls. It did not need them, the people were the walls of Sparta. This church and our other institutions - spiritual and secular are the walls of Scotland - the rocks on which reform and renewal will be built. … We will continue to draw on this Church as a source of wisdom. A source of strength. A source of hope.”

Alex Salmond

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

“To win and retain the trust of the people requires an administration willing to focus on showing competence and direction in the day to day business of government.”

Alex Salmond

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

“I have always had a special regard for the General Assembly and its members. This is the place - and you are the people - that do so much to give expression to the heart of Scotland.”