Alex Salmond, a former Scottish First Minister who helped steer Scottish politics in a different direction and brought Scotland closer to independence from the United Kingdom, passed away on Saturday. He was 69 years old.
Salmond is attributed with helping to increase support for Scottish independence during a 2014 referendum in which Scots voted 55%-45% in favour of remaining in the United Kingdom. Salmond led the devolved Scottish government for seven years starting in 2007.
According to the BBC, Salmond passed out following a speech in North Macedonia. Salmond, a fierce debater who led the Scottish National Party (SNP) from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014, was honoured by leaders from all political stripes.
After constitutional changes re-established a Scottish Parliament in 1999, Salmond oversaw the transformation of the SNP from a tiny number of lawmakers in London’s parliament to the dominant political force in Scotland. The independence movement that he led sent shock waves through Britain’s political elite and energized Scottish politics.
Also Read:
India Becomes the fourth Nation to Surpass $700 Billion in Foreign Exchange Reserves
