Ash Regan, Alba Party's only MSP in Scottish Parliament, quits party to sit as an independent

Ash Regan, the Alba Party’s only MSP in the Scottish Parliament, has quit the party.

Regan will now sit as an independent MSP representing the Edinburgh Eastern constituency in Holyrood until next May’s elections.

The decision will come as a major blow to the late Alex Salmond’s party, with the former SNP minister being Alba’s most prominent member.

In a statement issued on Friday, Regan said: “To confirm, today I have formally resigned from the Alba Party.

“My priorities and principles remain exactly as they were when I entered politics – to advance independence, protect women and children, and deliver competent government for Scotland.

“With my Unbuyable Bill entering a crucial stage, it’s clear that I can best focus on those goals as an independent MSP. I am grateful to the many Alba members and campaigners who have supported me, particularly the women who have stood with me for years.

“Public office is a privilege, not a possession. My full focus now is on building cross-party support to pass Unbuyable into law before the end of this parliamentary session.”

The party previously had two MPs at Westminster after Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey defected from the SNP, but they lost their seats at last year’s General Election.

The Alba Party was established by Salmond, the former leader of the SNP and First Minister of Scotland, in 2021.

Salmond died unexpectedly last October in North Macedonia.

In 2025, Regan ran to become the next Alba leader but was beaten by MacAskill.

Earlier this year, she put forward her Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill, which would criminalise the buying of sex in Scotland while decriminalising those selling sexual services.

Regan previously worked as a junior minister under Nicola Sturgeon’s government, but quit over the Gender Recognition Reform Bill in 2022.

Following Sturgeon’s resignation, she ran for leadership against Kate Forbes and Humza Yousaf, with the latter winning the race.

She joined the Alba Party in 2023, seven months after her failed bid to become SNP leader.