Poll of SNP supporters finds Kate Forbes is STILL favourite

2023-02-24

Poll of SNP supporters finds Kate Forbes is STILL favourite to take over from Nicola Sturgeon as Scottish First Minister despite row over devout Christian views – as nominations in the contest close TODAY

Kate Forbes still looks on track to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader despite the backlash at her devout Christian views.

With nominations in the contest closing at noon, a poll of party supporters found 28 per cent backed the Scottish Finance Secretary.

Just 20 per cent favoured Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and 7 per cent wanted Ash Regan.

Although the survey was conducted between Monday and Wednesday and might not reflect the full impact of the bitter row over Ms Forbes’ stance on gay marriage and gender identity rules, it suggests she remains the candidate to beat.

The SNP has been tearing itself apart over the social issues, with some condemning Ms Forbes and others criticising efforts to close down differing opinions.

The Opinion Matters poll of 1,001 people who voted SNP in the 2021 Holyrood election was carried out for the Big Partnership communications agency

A poll of party supporters found 28 per cent backed Kate Forbes (right) for leader. Just 20 per cent favoured Health Secretary Humza Yousaf (left)

The early front runner appeared to have crashed her campaign within 24 hours after she confirmed she would have voted against same-sex marriage if she had been an MSP during the 2014 vote.

A series of her backers dropped their support in the wake of the comments.

Ms Forbes said yesterday she felt ‘greatly burdened and heartsore’ that her remarks had hurt people, and pledged to protect the rights of minorities and promote ‘tolerance’ if she becomes First Minister.

But Culture Minister Neil Gray, who backs Mr Yousaf, said people need a First Minister ‘who minorities in our society know will protect and promote their rights at all times’.

The Opinion Matters poll of 1,001 people who voted SNP in the 2021 Holyrood election was carried out for the Big Partnership communications agency.

It found 31 per cent did not know who they would vote for.

Ms Forbes was on 28 per cent, followed by Mr Yousaf on 20 per cent and ex-community safety minister Ash Regan on 7 per cent.

Just 5 per cent of SNP voters said they thought the new leader’s faith or personal beliefs were important – with having a plan to tackle the cost of living crisis seen as critical by 58 per cent.

Paul Robertson, head of public affairs at The Big Partnership, said: ‘Our poll indicates that SNP voters want to judge the candidates on their plans for the bread-and-butter issues of government… whilst questions of faith and personal belief, which have dominated the headlines, are relatively unimportant for those choosing the new leader.’

Nicola Sturgeon said that ‘holding Christian views doesn’t bar you from holding high office’, but swiped that those seeking to replace her as First Minister have to ‘expect scrutiny of their views’

Ash Regan is also running to become the next SNP leader after Ms Sturgeon quit

Scottish Tory chairman Craig Hoy said SNP party discipline ‘has fallen apart and their MSPs are now scrapping like ferrets in a sack’.

Nominations close at noon, with candidates required to get at least 100 nominations from at least 20 local party branches to advance.

Members will then be asked to vote using the single transferable vote (STV) system, with a winner announced on March 27.

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