'Max the YES' in Hamilton
Kenny MacAskill urges independence supporters to 'max the Yes vote' at Hamilton by-election
Kenny MacAskill compared this week's Hamilton by-election with the historic vote in 1967 that saw Winnie Ewing triumph.
Alba has called for independence supporters to "max the Yes vote" at a crunch by-election this week.
Kenny MacAskill, the party leader, stopped short of endorsing the SNP candidate in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency - but insisted the "cause of independence transcends everything".
Alba have not entered the race in South Lanarkshire as they have decided not to stand in constituencies and only contest the regional list at next year’s Scottish Parliament election.
The veteran Nationalist compared this week's by-election in Hamilton with the historic victory of Winnie Ewing in 1967.
Commenting, Kenny MacAskill said:
"Winnie Ewing transformed Scottish politics and galvanised the independence movement with her stunning victory in Hamilton, 57 years ago.
"She did so by relentlessly pushing the cause of Scottish independence - and highlighting the perversity of a country on the point of unparalleled wealth through the discovery of North Sea oil having so many of its people in poverty.
"'Stop the World Scotland wants to get on' was her famous quip. It stands true today, but the oil wealth has been squandered, our refinery shut and the independence cause sidelined by the SNP.
"Yet support for independence stands at levels never imagined in her time, and when Scotland stands on the verge of another energy bounty with renewables, but finds so many of its people facing fuel poverty.
"Hamilton is again a political battleground. People are understandably angry with failing services, lack of housing and a falling standard of living. Sadly, some of the issues of concern rest not with London but a Parliament in Edinburgh - which Winnie was pivotal in securing.
"Her vision, which appealed to so many then, was on a Scotland looking after the needs of its people in health, housing, jobs, crime and the quality of life.
"The answer now, as then, is independence and the power to use our nation’s wealth for our people.
"Our advice now, as it will be next year, is to max the Yes vote - but if voting for the SNP is unacceptable to many, given actions and incompetence, then at least do not to vote for a Unionist party.
"The cause of independence transcends everything. But the SNP have been warned that their failure to pursue our cause vigorously and their failings in office are damaging our cause."
