Envisioning a New Scottish Era: Chris McEleny's Vision for 'Independence' Town

In a bold announcement, Chris McEleny, a candidate for the Alba Party’s deputy leadership, revealed a visionary joint project with the late Alex Salmond to create a new Scottish town named ‘Independence.’ This town aims to support workers in the booming energy sector and to harness Scotland’s renewable energy potential, which McEleny believes is being underutilized as the UK government exports it south without benefiting Scotland. McEleny, who has been suspended from his role as Alba’s general secretary due to allegations of gross misconduct, emphasized his strong connection to Salmond in his campaign. He stated that a new town could attract industries and create skilled jobs by offering cheaper energy compared to the rest of Europe, promoting mutual benefits for industries, labor, and infrastructure.

Historically, Scotland has not designated a new town since the mid-20th century, a time when several towns were developed to alleviate urban overcrowding, yet many faced criticism for poor planning and unattractive architecture. McEleny is advocating for a revival of this initiative, believing it is the right moment to consider establishing ‘Independence’ as a viable town to usher in a new era for Scotland while honoring Salmond’s legacy.