Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.
Alex Salmond was born in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Answer: False
Explanation: Alex Salmond was born in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland.
Alex Salmond's educational background included studying Economics and Medieval History at the University of Glasgow.
Answer: False
Explanation: Alex Salmond studied Economics and Medieval History at the University of St Andrews, graduating with an MA.
Before entering politics full-time, Alex Salmond worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland for seven years.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alex Salmond was employed by the Royal Bank of Scotland for seven years, serving as an assistant economist and later as an oil economist before dedicating himself to full-time politics.
Alex Salmond joined the Scottish National Party (SNP) in 1973 after being influenced by a conversation with an English student.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alex Salmond joined the SNP in 1973, reportedly influenced by a conversation with an English student who was also a member of the Federation of Student Nationalists.
The '79 Group, a socialist republican organization, was founded by Alex Salmond to reform the SNP.
Answer: True
Explanation: The '79 Group was a socialist republican organization within the SNP, and Alex Salmond was a leading member, advocating for reforms within the party.
The "Royal Bank/BBC oil index" was created by Alex Salmond in 1983 while he was an oil economist.
Answer: True
Explanation: While working as an oil economist for the Royal Bank of Scotland in 1983, Alex Salmond collaborated with the BBC to create an oil index, which is reportedly still in use.
Where was Alex Salmond born?
Answer: Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland
Explanation: Alex Salmond was born in Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland.
What subjects did Alex Salmond study at the University of St Andrews?
Answer: Economics and Medieval History
Explanation: Alex Salmond pursued studies in Economics and Medieval History at the University of St Andrews.
Which institution did Alex Salmond work for as an assistant economist and later an oil economist before entering full-time politics?
Answer: The Royal Bank of Scotland
Explanation: Before entering full-time politics, Alex Salmond worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland, progressing from assistant economist to oil economist.
What was the '79 Group, in which Alex Salmond was a leading member?
Answer: A socialist republican organization within the SNP.
Explanation: The '79 Group was a socialist republican organization operating within the SNP, and Alex Salmond was a prominent figure within it.
How did Alex Salmond's background as an economist potentially influence his political career?
Answer: It provided insights that informed his focus on economic issues like fiscal policy and energy.
Explanation: Salmond's background as an economist likely informed his political career by providing a foundation for understanding and prioritizing economic matters, including fiscal policy and energy.
Alex Salmond held leadership positions within the Scottish National Party (SNP) on three separate occasions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Alex Salmond served as Leader of the SNP on two distinct occasions: from 1990 to 2000, and again from 2004 to 2014.
Alex Salmond first became Leader of the SNP in 1990, defeating Margaret Ewing by a significant margin.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alex Salmond was first elected Leader of the SNP in 1990, defeating Margaret Ewing by a substantial margin in the leadership contest.
Under Alex Salmond's leadership, the SNP shifted towards a gradualist approach that supported devolution.
Answer: True
Explanation: During his leadership, Alex Salmond guided the SNP towards supporting devolution as a step towards eventual independence, a strategic shift from earlier positions.
Alex Salmond supported the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia, calling it a necessary intervention.
Answer: False
Explanation: Alex Salmond opposed the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia, arguing it lacked UN Security Council authorization and describing Prime Minister Tony Blair's decision as an 'unpardonable folly'.
John Swinney succeeded Alex Salmond as SNP leader in 2000 after Salmond's first resignation.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following Alex Salmond's resignation as SNP leader in 2000, John Swinney was elected to succeed him.
Alex Salmond returned to the SNP leadership in 2004 after John Swinney faced pressure to resign following poor election results.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following a poor performance by the SNP in the June 2004 European Parliament elections, John Swinney resigned, and Alex Salmond successfully ran for and won the leadership.
Alex Salmond served as an MP for Banff and Buchan before becoming First Minister.
Answer: True
Explanation: Prior to his tenure as First Minister, Alex Salmond served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Banff and Buchan constituency.
Alex Salmond was awarded Parliamentarian of the Year by The Spectator in 2007 for his leadership.
Answer: True
Explanation: In November 2007, Alex Salmond received The Spectator award for Parliamentarian of the Year, acknowledging his leadership and the SNP's electoral success.
Alex Salmond strongly supported the UK's participation in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Answer: False
Explanation: Alex Salmond was a vocal opponent of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, arguing that Prime Minister Tony Blair intended to deceive the public regarding weapons of mass destruction.
Alex Salmond's political career in the UK Parliament concluded when he lost his seat in the 2010 general election.
Answer: False
Explanation: Alex Salmond lost his UK Parliament seat for Gordon in the 2017 general election. He had previously held seats from 1987 to 2010, took a break, and then returned in 2015.
Who did Alex Salmond defeat to become Leader of the SNP for the first time in 1990?
Answer: Margaret Ewing
Explanation: Alex Salmond first became Leader of the SNP in 1990, winning the leadership contest against Margaret Ewing.
How did Alex Salmond's leadership influence the SNP's stance on devolution in the 1990s?
Answer: He shifted the party towards a gradualist approach supporting devolution.
Explanation: Under Alex Salmond's leadership, the SNP adopted a strategy that supported devolution as a pragmatic step towards eventual independence.
What was Alex Salmond's position on the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia?
Answer: He opposed it, citing a lack of UN Security Council authorization.
Explanation: Alex Salmond opposed the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia, arguing that it lacked proper authorization from the United Nations Security Council.
Who succeeded Alex Salmond as SNP leader when he first resigned in 2000?
Answer: John Swinney
Explanation: John Swinney was elected as the leader of the SNP in 2000, succeeding Alex Salmond after his first resignation from the leadership.
What event prompted Alex Salmond's return to the SNP leadership in 2004?
Answer: A poor performance by the SNP in the June 2004 European Parliament elections.
Explanation: Following a disappointing result for the SNP in the June 2004 European Parliament elections, the then-leader John Swinney resigned, paving the way for Alex Salmond's return to the leadership.
Alex Salmond previously served as a UK Member of Parliament (MP) for which constituency before returning in 2015?
Answer: Banff and Buchan
Explanation: Before returning to the UK Parliament in 2015, Alex Salmond had previously served as the MP for Banff and Buchan.
Alex Salmond strongly opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, going so far as to claim that Prime Minister Tony Blair:
Answer: Intended to deceive the public regarding weapons of mass destruction.
Explanation: Alex Salmond was a staunch opponent of the 2003 Iraq invasion, asserting that Prime Minister Tony Blair had intended to mislead the public about the presence of weapons of mass destruction.
Alex Salmond served as First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alex Salmond served as First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014, a period marked by significant political developments.
Alex Salmond became First Minister of Scotland in 2007 after leading the SNP to become the largest party and forming a minority government with support from the Scottish Greens.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 2007, Alex Salmond became First Minister after the SNP secured the most seats. They formed a minority government, initially seeking a coalition with the Liberal Democrats, but ultimately relying on a 'confidence and supply' agreement with the Scottish Greens.
Key legislative achievements during Salmond's first term as First Minister included the abolition of university tuition fees and prescription charges.
Answer: True
Explanation: During his first term as First Minister, Alex Salmond's government implemented significant policies such as abolishing university tuition fees and scrapping prescription charges.
Alex Salmond's government was unable to hold an independence referendum during his first term as First Minister due to insufficient parliamentary support.
Answer: True
Explanation: Although seeking to hold an independence referendum, Alex Salmond's government could not secure the necessary support from other parties in the Scottish Parliament during his initial term as First Minister.
The SNP secured an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament in the 2011 election under Alex Salmond's leadership.
Answer: True
Explanation: The SNP achieved an historic overall majority in the 2011 Scottish Parliament election under Alex Salmond's leadership, a significant accomplishment under the additional member system.
Alex Salmond's government prioritized freezing council tax and abolishing bridge tolls.
Answer: True
Explanation: Key policy priorities during Alex Salmond's premiership included freezing council tax and abolishing bridge tolls, alongside other measures like abolishing tuition fees and prescription charges.
Nicola Sturgeon served as Alex Salmond's Deputy First Minister throughout his second term as First Minister.
Answer: True
Explanation: During Alex Salmond's second tenure as First Minister (2007-2014), Nicola Sturgeon served as his Deputy First Minister and was also the SNP's leader in the Scottish Parliament.
How did Alex Salmond become First Minister in 2007?
Answer: Leading the SNP to become the largest party and forming a minority government with Green support.
Explanation: In 2007, Alex Salmond led the SNP to become the largest party in the Scottish Parliament, subsequently forming a minority government with support from the Scottish Greens.
Which of the following was NOT a key legislative achievement of Alex Salmond's first term as First Minister?
Answer: Introduction of a Scottish currency
Explanation: Key achievements included the abolition of university tuition fees and prescription charges, and a focus on renewable energy. The introduction of a separate Scottish currency was not a legislative achievement of that term.
What prevented Alex Salmond's government from holding an independence referendum during his first term as First Minister?
Answer: Insufficient support from other parties in the Scottish Parliament.
Explanation: During his first term as First Minister, Alex Salmond's government could not hold an independence referendum due to a lack of support from other parties within the Scottish Parliament.
The SNP's achievement of an overall majority in the 2011 Scottish Parliament election under Alex Salmond's leadership was significant because:
Answer: It was the first time any party had secured a majority under the additional member system.
Explanation: The SNP's 2011 majority was historically significant as it marked the first time any political party had achieved an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament under the additional member system.
Which policy, implemented by Alex Salmond's government, involved removing charges for routine medical prescriptions?
Answer: Scrapping of prescription charges
Explanation: One of the key legislative achievements of Alex Salmond's government was the scrapping of charges for routine medical prescriptions.
What was Alex Salmond's role during his second tenure as SNP leader and First Minister (2007-2014)?
Answer: First Minister and SNP Leader
Explanation: During his second period of leadership, Alex Salmond served concurrently as the Leader of the SNP and as the First Minister of Scotland.
Which of the following was a key policy pledge of Alex Salmond's government?
Answer: Abolition of bridge tolls.
Explanation: Abolishing bridge tolls was among the key policy pledges implemented by Alex Salmond's government, alongside measures like abolishing tuition fees and prescription charges.
The 2014 Scottish independence referendum resulted in a majority vote against independence.
Answer: True
Explanation: The referendum on Scottish independence held in 2014 concluded with a majority voting against independence.
Nicola Sturgeon succeeded Alex Salmond as First Minister after his resignation following the 2014 referendum.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the outcome of the 2014 independence referendum and his subsequent resignation as First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon took over the role.
Alex Salmond led the 'Yes Scotland' campaign and negotiated the Edinburgh Agreement for the 2014 referendum.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alex Salmond was a central figure in the 'Yes Scotland' campaign for independence and played a key role in negotiating the Edinburgh Agreement, which set the terms for the 2014 referendum.
What was the result of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum?
Answer: A majority voted against independence.
Explanation: The 2014 Scottish independence referendum concluded with a majority of voters choosing to remain part of the United Kingdom.
Following the 2014 referendum, Alex Salmond announced his resignation as First Minister. Who succeeded him?
Answer: Nicola Sturgeon.
Explanation: Nicola Sturgeon succeeded Alex Salmond as First Minister of Scotland following his resignation in the aftermath of the 2014 independence referendum.
Alex Salmond's government published a white paper titled 'Scotland's Future' in preparation for which event?
Answer: The 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum
Explanation: The white paper 'Scotland's Future' was published by Alex Salmond's government as part of the preparations and campaign for the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum.
Alex Salmond lost his seat in the UK Parliament in the 2017 general election.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alex Salmond lost his seat as the Member of Parliament for Gordon in the 2017 general election.
In 2018, Alex Salmond resigned from the SNP to contest allegations of sexual misconduct.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alex Salmond resigned from the SNP in August 2018 to address allegations of sexual misconduct that had been made against him.
Alex Salmond was convicted of sexual assault charges following a trial in 2020.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following a trial in March 2020, Alex Salmond was acquitted of all sexual assault charges.
The Scottish Government paid Alex Salmond over £500,000 after conceding its procedures in handling harassment allegations were flawed.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Scottish Government conceded the judicial review concerning the harassment allegations against Alex Salmond, admitting its procedures were flawed, and subsequently paid him over £500,000.
Alex Salmond became the leader of the Alba Party in March 2021.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alex Salmond announced his leadership of the newly formed Alba Party on March 26, 2021.
The Alba Party, under Alex Salmond's leadership, failed to win any seats in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Alba Party, led by Alex Salmond, contested the 2021 Scottish Parliament election but did not secure any seats, polling 1.7% of the regional vote.
Alex Salmond's relationship with Nicola Sturgeon remained strong and supportive throughout their political careers.
Answer: False
Explanation: The relationship between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon deteriorated significantly in later years, largely due to the political scandal surrounding the harassment allegations against Salmond and Sturgeon's handling of the matter.
In the 2017 general election, Alex Salmond lost his seat as MP for Gordon to which political party's candidate?
Answer: Scottish Conservative Party
Explanation: Alex Salmond lost his seat as the MP for Gordon in the 2017 general election to Colin Clark, the candidate for the Scottish Conservative Party.
What were the primary allegations that led Alex Salmond to resign from the SNP in 2018?
Answer: Sexual misconduct concerning events in 2013.
Explanation: In 2018, Alex Salmond resigned from the SNP to contest allegations of sexual misconduct that reportedly occurred in 2013.
What was the outcome of the criminal trial regarding the sexual misconduct allegations against Alex Salmond?
Answer: He was acquitted of all charges.
Explanation: Following a criminal trial, Alex Salmond was acquitted of all charges related to the sexual misconduct allegations.
Why did the Scottish Government concede the judicial review concerning the harassment allegations against Salmond?
Answer: The government admitted its procedures in handling the allegations were flawed.
Explanation: The Scottish Government conceded the judicial review by admitting that its procedures for handling the harassment allegations against Alex Salmond were flawed.
When did Alex Salmond announce he was leading the newly formed Alba Party?
Answer: March 2021
Explanation: Alex Salmond announced his leadership of the Alba Party on March 26, 2021.
What was the electoral result for the Alba Party under Alex Salmond's leadership in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election?
Answer: They failed to win any seats, polling 1.7% of the vote.
Explanation: The Alba Party, led by Alex Salmond, contested the 2021 Scottish Parliament election but did not win any seats, securing 1.7% of the regional vote.
What was the primary reason cited for the deterioration of Alex Salmond's relationship with Nicola Sturgeon?
Answer: The political scandal surrounding harassment allegations against Salmond and Sturgeon's handling of it.
Explanation: The relationship between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon significantly deteriorated, primarily attributed to the political fallout from the harassment allegations against Salmond and Sturgeon's management of the situation.
The 'Alex Salmond scandal' primarily refers to the political fallout from:
Answer: The Scottish Government's procedures in handling sexual misconduct allegations against him.
Explanation: The term 'Alex Salmond scandal' predominantly refers to the political repercussions stemming from the Scottish Government's procedures in handling sexual misconduct allegations made against him.
Alex Salmond's final political affiliation before his death was as leader of which party?
Answer: Alba Party
Explanation: Prior to his passing, Alex Salmond's final political affiliation was as the leader of the Alba Party.
Alex Salmond's personal interests included horse racing, golf, and watching the television show Star Trek.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alex Salmond's personal interests included golf, horse racing, and watching television programs such as Star Trek.
Alex Salmond passed away from a heart attack.
Answer: True
Explanation: The confirmed cause of Alex Salmond's death was a heart attack.
Following Alex Salmond's death, flags at the Scottish Parliament were lowered to half-mast.
Answer: True
Explanation: In response to the news of Alex Salmond's death, flags at the Scottish Parliament and other official buildings were lowered to half-mast.
The repatriation of Alex Salmond's body from North Macedonia was financed by Scottish businessman Sir Tom Hunter.
Answer: True
Explanation: The cost of repatriating Alex Salmond's body from North Macedonia was covered by Scottish businessman Sir Tom Hunter.
Alex Salmond's private funeral service was held in Strichen Parish Church, Aberdeenshire.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alex Salmond's private funeral service took place at Strichen Parish Church in Aberdeenshire.
Tributes at Alex Salmond's memorial service in Edinburgh were paid by figures including the current First Minister and leaders of Scottish Labour and Conservative parties.
Answer: True
Explanation: At Alex Salmond's memorial service in Edinburgh, tributes were delivered by prominent political figures, including the First Minister, the leader of Scottish Labour, and the leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
Alex Salmond was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow in 2015.
Answer: True
Explanation: In recognition of his career, Alex Salmond received an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow in 2015, in addition to one from the University of St Andrews in 2007.
Which of the following was NOT listed as a personal interest of Alex Salmond?
Answer: Playing chess
Explanation: While Alex Salmond's interests included golf, horse racing, and watching Star Trek, playing chess was not mentioned as one of his noted personal interests.
What was the confirmed cause of Alex Salmond's death?
Answer: A sudden heart attack
Explanation: The confirmed cause of Alex Salmond's death was a heart attack.
How did official buildings in Scotland react to the news of Alex Salmond's death?
Answer: Flags were lowered to half-mast.
Explanation: Following the announcement of Alex Salmond's death, flags at the Scottish Parliament and other official buildings were lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect.
Who financed the repatriation of Alex Salmond's body from North Macedonia?
Answer: Scottish businessman Sir Tom Hunter
Explanation: The repatriation of Alex Salmond's body from North Macedonia was financed by Scottish businessman Sir Tom Hunter.
Where was Alex Salmond's private funeral service held?
Answer: Strichen Parish Church, Aberdeenshire
Explanation: Alex Salmond's private funeral service was conducted at Strichen Parish Church in Aberdeenshire.
Which of the following individuals was NOT mentioned as paying tribute at Alex Salmond's memorial service in Edinburgh?
Answer: Nicola Sturgeon (Former First Minister)
Explanation: While Gordon Brown, John Swinney, and Anas Sarwar were mentioned as paying tribute at Alex Salmond's memorial service, Nicola Sturgeon was not listed among those who delivered tributes.
Alex Salmond was awarded an honorary degree from which university in 2007?
Answer: University of St Andrews
Explanation: In 2007, Alex Salmond received an honorary degree from the University of St Andrews.
What was the nature of Alex Salmond's final public appearance before his death?
Answer: Speaking at a school event in North Macedonia.
Explanation: Alex Salmond's final public appearance occurred in Ohrid, North Macedonia, where he spoke at the Gjorge Ivanov School for Young Leaders.