Kate Forbes joins bitter battle to succeed Nicola Sturgeon

Kate Forbes cuts short maternity leave and joins bitter battle to succeed Nicola Sturgeon swiping that she can ‘widen’ SNP’s appeal – despite backlash over ‘ties to church that opposes gay marriage and abortion’

• Race is on to take over from Nicola Sturgeon as leader of SNP and First Minister
• Kate Forbes, long tipped as a potential successor, making announcement today  

The battle to succeed Nicola Sturgeon is intensifying today with Kate Forbes cutting short her maternity leave to throw her hat into the ring.

The Scottish finance secretary swiped at the need to ‘widen’ the SNP’s appeal as she confirmed she is a candidate.

‘I am today launching my bid to become Scotland’s next first minister, with the vision, experience and competence to inspire voters across Scotland,’ she said in a slick video. ‘We urgently need to unleash the full talent of the SNP, the wider Yes movement and the country at large.’ 

Ms Forbes has been hotly tipped to take over as SNP leader despite warnings that her ties to an evangelical church opposed to gay marriage and abortion could be damaging. 

Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson confirmed this morning that he will not stand for the party’s top job. 

Scottish finance secretary Kate Forbes swiped at the need to ‘widen’ the SNP’s appeal as she confirmed she is a candidate in a slick video

Kate Forbes (left) is expected to make an announcement on her intentions following the dramatic departure of Nicola Sturgeon (right) last week

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and former community safety minister Ash Regan clashed on three major policy issues yesterday – independence, gender reform and road-building – as they confirmed their decision to enter the contest.

Mr Yousaf also appeared to be winning support from many of Ms Sturgeon’s key allies, while a briefing campaign was launched against Ms Forbes.

There are claims the Scottish Greens could pull out of their current power-sharing agreement at 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 is opposed to gay marriage and believes there are few circumstances in which abortion is justified.

SNP deputy leader Keith Brown, Environment Minister Mairi McAllan and Culture Minister Neil Gray all yesterday confirmed that they would not stand.

As the quarrelling escalated, former health secretary Jeane Freeman urged those briefing against each other to stop fighting or risk losing support.

Business Minister Ivan McKee said an announcement from the ‘hugely talented’ Ms Forbes could be expected later.

He told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme: ‘Kate has some big decisions to make, of course this happened while she was on maternity leave, she was not planning to come back until the beginning of April and as we all know the announcements of last week were a surprise to everyone.

‘So Kate has had to assess her position, understand what can be done, but my understanding is that she has considered that and will be making an announcement later today and we shall see what she’s got to say.’

Mr McKee said he would be backing Ms Forbes if she decides to run.

He said: ‘I think Kate is a hugely talented individual, I’ve had the pleasure of working with her over the past seven years and seen first-hand what she is able to deliver, her focus on the things that are important to Scotland and her ability to engage with people on a very real and authentic level and persuade them of her case.

Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf is running for the SNP’s top job

‘And I think those talents, to be able to deliver excellent public services, a strong economy, a green economy for Scotland and to be able to persuade people of the case for the SNP and for independence, are exactly the assets we need in a leader.’

Ms Forbes has long been seen as a potential successor to the First Minister.

She was thrust into the limelight by having to step in and deliver the Scottish budget at the 11th hour in 2020 after her predecessor Derek Mackay resigned in disgrace.

Candidates have until Friday to secure 100 nominations from at least 20 local branches to secure their place on the ballot, with the new SNP leader being announced on March 27.

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