The three SNP hopefuls battling it out to take over from Nicola Sturgeon

By James Tapsfield, Political Editor at Mailonline
15:52 20 Feb 2023, updated 16:23 20 Feb 2023
- Race is to be succeeded by Nicola Sturgeon as head of the SNP and first minister
- Kate Forbes, who has long been talked about as a potential successor, announced today
SNP leadership hopefuls today plotted Nicola Sturgeon’s legacy as the battle to find her successor intensified.
Kate Forbes has cut her maternity leave to become the third confirmed candidate and suggested she would give up revising Ms Sturgeon’s gender identity.
The Scottish Finance Minister – seen by many as a front runner despite concerns about her links to a church opposed to abortion and gay marriage – lamented that the SNP needed a “broader” appeal and someone with a “fresh face”.
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf made it clear that he has serious doubts about Ms Sturgeon’s plan to turn the next general election into a “de facto” referendum on independence.
The other declared contender, Ash Regan, had previously resigned from the Scottish Government to vote against its failed bid to relax trans rules.
Constitutional Secretary Angus Robertson said this morning that he would not run for the party’s top post.
Kate Forbes (pictured in Glasgow today) has cut her maternity leave to become the third confirmed candidate in a ‘de facto’ referendum on independence Ash Regan (pictured), who previously resigned from the Scottish Government so she could vote against her failed attempt to relax gender identity rules Ms Sturgeon (pictured on a visit to Midlothian today) dropped the bombshell that she is Scottish Finance Minister Kate Forbes announced last week after a hot spell in which the SNP descended into chaos over her failed attempt to relax gender identity rules and dwindling support for independence, denounced the need to “broaden” the SNP’s appeal when she confirmed she is a candidate
Ms Sturgeon dropped the bombshell she was dropping last week after a heated spell that saw the SNP thrown into chaos over its failed attempt to relax gender identity rules and dwindling support for independence.
Visiting the Roslin Institute in Midlothian today, minutes before Ms Forbes’ statement, she expressed “tremendous confidence that the SNP will select someone with ability”.
“It’s clear that there’s a spectrum of talent on display there.”
Speaking to the BBC this afternoon, Ms Forbes made a mark on the gender issue. “I understand the principle here that the UK Government should not repeal Scottish legislation,” she said.
“It’s an important principle that I stand by.
“But I am considering it, seeking legal advice and acknowledging that this is not a priority for the people of Scotland right now who are focused on other things.”
In a video previously posted to social media – with footage of the stunning Scottish countryside – a tartan-clad woman gave Forbes a nod to the apparently stalled Separatist campaign north of the border.
She warned that nationalists risked “being frustrated on the road to self-determination” and said she had the “vision, experience and competence to inspire voters across Scotland”.
Who is the contender for the SNP leadership, Kate Forbes?
Kate Forbes is a senior member of Ms Sturgeon’s administration, who is being tipped as the favorite to replace her.
The fluent Gaelic speaker became Finance Minister in the Scottish Government in February 2020, the first woman to hold the post.
Kate Forbes married Alasdair MacLennan – a widowed chimney sweep ten years her senior – in July 2021.
Their wedding was streamed online because Covid restrictions limited the number of people who could attend.
Her husband, known as Ali, had three daughters – Rachael, Rebekah and Zara – with his Indian first wife Priya. She died in 2014 at the age of just 38.
Ms Forbes, 32, went on maternity leave last July – the first ever acting Scottish Cabinet Secretary – and gave birth to their daughter Naomi in August.
It was previously believed that Ms Forbes harbored no leadership ambitions, although she has been touted as a future SNP leader since entering the Scottish Parliament as MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch in 2016.
The daughter of missionaries, Mrs. Forbes spent much of her childhood in India.
She is a member of the Free Church of Scotland, sometimes known as the ‘Wee Frees’, which opposes gay marriage and believes there are few circumstances in which an abortion is justified.
Ms Forbes has previously said she was “guilty” of “tiptoeing around” her Christian faith in interviews.
Ms Sturgeon’s government has been accused of rushing through its controversial gender identity reforms ahead of Christmas while Ms Forbes stayed on maternity leave to prevent a possible revolt by the 32-year-old.
“We urgently need to unleash the full talent of the SNP, the broader yes movement and the country as a whole,” she said.
Ms Forbes was hot-tipped despite concerns her ties to an anti-gay marriage and anti-abortion evangelical church could be harmful.
Appearing in the video against a backdrop of the Scottish countryside and with a tartan scarf around her neck, Ms Forbes said: “Friends in the SNP, our nation and our movement are at an important crossroads. The decisions we make over the next few weeks will have a profound impact on our future and the future of our children.
“I cannot sit back and watch as our nation is thwarted on the road to self-determination. Our small independent neighbors are enjoying more prosperous, fairer and greener societies, and so should we.
“We urgently need to unleash the full talent of the SNP, the broader yes movement and the country as a whole.
“We must elect strong, competent leadership to ensure independence, the leadership that I can offer.
“I think we need someone who can unite our party and our movement. I am a unifier, I will reach out and listen to make each member feel valued and empowered to contribute.
“This is also important if we want to convince others of the merits of independence. But now we also need someone who has our economy and our finances under control.
“In the midst of a cost of living crisis and the need to plan for independence, my years of managing the household and economy of Scotland have given me the experience we need to do just that.
“More than anything, we need a leader who is bold, courageous and energetic, with fresh faces and ready for new challenges.
“Someone who will inspire your confidence as an SNP member and inspire the people of Scotland to vote for a better future
“I am that leader and I want to lead our party to better days with integrity and commitment for the sake of your children and mine.”
Mr Yousaf and former community security minister Ms Regan clashed over three major policy issues – independence, gender reform and road building – yesterday as they confirmed their decision to enter the competition.
The health spokesman officially launched his campaign at Clydebank today.
Following the Supreme Court ruling that Holyrood could not legislate on a referendum without Westminster’s consent, Ms Sturgeon announced her intention to campaign for an independence majority in next year’s UK general election.
But Mr Yousaf insisted the policy will not necessarily remain in place.
“I have some concerns. I don’t agree with the idea of using general elections as a de facto referendum,” he said.
“But I would say that we need to stop talking about process and start talking about politics because if independence becomes the will of the Scottish people then those political obstacles will go away.”
Ms Sturgeon’s resignation came ahead of a shock poll that suggested the SNP and Labor were almost neck and neck in support of a Westminster election (percentages).
Mr Yousaf said he could not pretend that the gender identity bill pushed by Ms Sturgeon had not “caused some division” within the SNP.
But he vowed to stick to the legislation and challenge the UK government’s decision to block it with a Section 35 order.
He said: “There is the principle of the injunction of Section 35 that I think we the Scottish Parliament must defend against.
Who is Humza Yousaf?
Humza Yousaf, 37, is the Scottish Government’s Health Minister who became Scotland’s first Muslim Cabinet Minister in 2018 when he was appointed Minister for Justice.
He has been MSP for Glasgow Pollok since 2016, having been elected to the Scottish Parliament as an Additional Member for the Glasgow region in 2011 aged just 26.
Although he has been proposed as a possible replacement for Ms Sturgeon as First Minister, Mr Yousaf’s chances could be hampered by the current health crisis in Scotland.
The long wait times for ambulances and emergency care have come under particular pressure.
Mr. Yousaf has a daughter and a stepchild with his second wife Nadia El-Nakla.
“But I think on this broader issue I would like to work with those who have real concerns. Let’s get in touch with them. Let’s try to bring them to the table. Let’s not let this issue define us as a movement.’
Mr Yousaf appears to be gaining support from many of Ms Sturgeon’s key allies amid an information campaign against Ms Forbes.
There are claims the Scottish Greens could pull out of their current power-sharing arrangement in Holyrood if Ms Forbes takes over.
The 32-year-old is a member of the Free Church of Scotland, sometimes known as the ‘Wee Frees’, which opposes gay marriage and believes there are few circumstances in which an abortion is justified.
SNP Deputy Leader Keith Brown, Environment Secretary Mairi McAllan and Culture Secretary Neil Gray all confirmed yesterday that they will not stand.
Ms Forbes has long been considered a potential successor to the First Minister.
She was thrust into the spotlight when she had to step in at the eleventh hour and deliver the Scottish household in 2020 after her predecessor Derek Mackay fell out of favor.
Candidates have until Friday to secure 100 nominations from at least 20 local branches to secure their spot on the ballot, with the new SNP leader being announced on March 27.