Alba Party members in the Highlands and Islands gathered for an emergency meeting on 25 February 2026, pledging to continue campaigning despite internal turmoil and uncertainty over the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.
The meeting was organised after what local office bearers described as a communication blackout by national party leadership, with branch access to official email and internal systems reportedly withdrawn.
Despite those restrictions, organisers say the turnout was one of their strongest in recent times.
The backdrop is growing speculation that the party may not contest the May 2026 Holyrood election.
Members present backed three key positions by majority vote.
They called for a ballot of all members to decide the future direction of the party.
They urged the current leadership to step aside if unwilling to lead into the 2026 contest.
They voted in favour of fighting the election rather than standing down.
Laura Hansler, Convenor of the Highlands and Islands branch and a regional candidate, said:
“After what has been one of the worst weeks I have experienced, it was heartening to see so many of our wonderful members making the effort to come to the meeting despite the communication challenges we have been facing.
“As Convenor and also a candidate, I wanted to reassure our members that Branch Executive and Candidates have been working tirelessly to look at all options available to ensure ALBA representation in Mays election.
“We are not giving up, and will fight with everything we have.”
Lead Highlands and Islands candidate and former MP Angus Brendan MacNeil also addressed the meeting.
“It has been a significant challenge to hold a member meeting under these conditions.
“While a formal invite may not have reached the full membership due to the current restrictions on our systems, I was heartened by the overwhelming response the office bearers managed to secure.
“Last night’s meeting amplified my conviction that this decision belongs to the members.
“The candidates are ready, the will is there, and the cause of Scotland’s independence is far too important to abandon.
“Surely it is better for a cause of this magnitude to stand fighting than to die on its knees.”
Branch Organiser and candidate Allan Duffy said:
“The past week has been challenging to say the least.
“However, I am very grateful to the members who attended despite the fact we had our ability to communicate with our members revoked, we actually managed to have our LACU meeting and even with HQ refusing to send out emails to our members we still managed to have our largest meeting since last year.
“It is my firm belief, that as a member led party, the leadership answer to the members and not other way round.
“The leadership were elected by the members with a mandate to field Regional Candidates in May; not to make arbitrary authoritarian decisions with no prior consultation with members.
“Like Laura and Angus, I am not prepared to give up without a fight.
“Our primary goal is, and always will be, Independence for Scotland.”
The internal debate now turns to whether national leadership will respond to the call for a ballot and whether Alba will formally contest seats in May 2026.
For now, Highlands and Islands members are signalling that they intend to keep fighting.
