ALEX Salmond has vowed his new Alba Party will pile pressure on the Scottish Government to "get a move on" over independence. 

In a swipe at the SNP, the former first minister said Alba is offering "more courage and less caution". 

The former first minister made the comments as he unveiled the party's manifesto ahead of the Holyrood election on May 6. 

It pledges to be "the independence movement's voice in parliament to make sure that no more cans are kicked down the road". 

It adds: "We will work with all political parties showing the urgency that is necessary but we will exert intense pressure on any which do not."

In an online speech, Mr Salmond said Alba MSPs will lay a motion before the Scottish Parliament to "instruct" the Government to "immediately commence independence negotiations with Whitehall".

He said: "That is the sense of urgency we intend to inject into the independence debate. 

"And we'll do that every day we're in parliament, pressuring a pro-independence Scottish Government to get a move on, and holding it to account if it doesn't."

However, he said this does not mean Alba is a single-issue party. 

He added: "Over 5,000 people have now joined Alba because they want to see something new in Holyrood - more courage, and less caution.

"Alba offers a strategy for independence, an economic recovery programme which meets the scale of the post-Covid economic tsunami which we're about to face, and a re-presentation of the case for independence to meet the modern world."

He added: "Alba aren't standing to become a government. 

"We're standing to be in a position to push the government further than they would otherwise go."

Mr Salmond said Alba has a "proper plan" for Scotland to leave the union.

He said: "Without doubt, it's the one manifesto which is taking Scottish independence seriously, with urgency, with a proper plan on how to deliver independence for Scotland through a referendum or another agreed democratic test.

"But also how to be properly prepared to build Scotland and the Scottish people the case they deserve to hear to reach the determination and a successful independence process."

Alba has 32 candidates standing across Scotland on the regional list ballot, and hopes to create a pro-independence "supermajority".

It says a new Scottish currency should be introduced at an early date following independence, with sterling used as a "dual currency" over a period of time.

The party rejects seeking immediate EU membership and argues Scotland should join the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and through this the European Economic Area, while maintaining the common travel area and potentially a customs union with the rest of the UK.

It says this would serve as either an interim position from which to negotiate EU membership or a long-term proposal, depending on the view of the Scottish people.

It proposes a written constitution for an independent Scotland.

Alba also advocates setting up a new independence commission to build "a robust and fully-formed plan for how an independent Scotland will be built". 

This would report to a special committee of the Scottish Parliament and a convention of all Scottish parliamentarians, it said.

The party also argues for reform of Holyrood, including creating a second "Citizens’ Chamber", which it says could sit in the old Royal High School building on Calton Hill in Edinburgh. 

Elsewhere, it pledges to mobilise capital through the Scottish National Investment Bank to finance socially rented housing and other key infrastructure projects.

It also advocates the introduction of a development land value tax to disincentivise the hoarding of land resources.

Other policies include the creation of a Scottish National Renewables Corporation to finance the transition from a carbon-based economy.

Alba also backs free school breakfasts and lunches for nursery, primary and secondary pupils.

Speaking to the media later, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: "I don’t believe Alex Salmond’s motive in this election campaign is about a referendum. 

"I don’t think his motives are around focusing on the next parliament on recovery.

"His motive is revenge. I think we need to take that into context in terms of the election campaign of Alba."

A spokesman for the SNP said: "In a fortnight's time, the people of Scotland will have a choice whether to put Scotland's future into the hands of Boris Johnson or putting Scotland's future in Scotland's hands by re-electing Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister with both votes SNP."