Alex Salmond, who previously served as Scotland's First Minister and was a prominent figure in the Scottish National Party (SNP), has been laid to rest following a funeral held in Strichen, Aberdeenshire, where he had made his home. Known for his larger-than-life political presence, Salmond passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack while trying to open a ketchup bottle during lunch in North Macedonia, where he was attending a conference. At 69 years old, he did not have the chance to choose the circumstances of his departure, which many would consider quite unceremonious.
The funeral, while described as a private service for close friends and family, saw attendance from figures like John Bercow, the former Speaker of the House of Commons, suggesting that the guest list was perhaps broader than initially intended. This has led to speculation that the notion of a "private funeral" may have been a tactic by the Scottish government to address the absence of prominent SNP leaders such as Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, who were notably missing from the event. This absence reflects the strained relationship between Salmond and his former allies, as many within the party turned against him in recent years.
Salmond's death raises difficult questions about the future of Scottish independence, a cause he championed but which now seems to have little momentum. His leadership and vision stood in stark contrast to the current SNP leadership, which has struggled with governance and has failed to rally public support for independence. The party's repeated administrative failures have overshadowed the independence agenda, leading to a growing skepticism among the Scottish electorate regarding the viability of an independent Scotland.
Two significant errors marked Salmond's later political career. Firstly, he believed that the SNP's gradual approach to independence would showcase the party's ability to govern effectively—a belief that proved misplaced as mismanagement became evident. Secondly, he regretted resigning as First Minister following the loss in the 2014 independence referendum. This decision handed leadership to Sturgeon, resulting in a chain of successors who have not inspired confidence and have led the party into a phase of decline.
With Salmond’s passing, many commentators express doubt about the SNP's ability to rejuvenate its independence aspirations or recover its political strength anytime soon. The party finds itself embroiled in internal conflicts, allegations of corruption, and legal challenges, leading to a sense of despondency regarding the future of both the SNP and the independence movement. For many, Salmond represented the last viable hope for achieving independence; with his departure, that hope appears to have dwindled significantly.
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