Forbes enters leadership race

Kate Forbes, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has launched her bid to succeed Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, describing herself as a "bold", "fresh-faced" "unifier".

 

In a social media video setting out her stall today, Ms Forbes said: "I want to lead our party into better days with integrity and commitment, for the sake of our children and my children."

 

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The 32-year-old Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy, first elected to her seat in 2016, has been on maternity leave since last summer, meaning she has not participated in debates within the SNP about gender reform and independence strategy.

 

The former accountant, and graduate of Cambridge and Edinburgh Universities, is the third candidate to declare, alongside health secretary Humza Yousaf and the former community safety minister, Ash Regan, who quit over the Scottish gender reforms.

 

Ms Forbes, a fluent Gaelic speaker from Dingwall and member of the Free Church of Scotland, which follows a strict interpretation of the Bible,  told BBC Scotland she has “significant concerns” about self-identification, and would not have voted for the Scottish government’s bill in its current form.

 

In her video, Ms Forbes pitched: "Our nation and our movement are at a crossroads. The choices that we make in the next few weeks will have a profound impact on our future and our children's future.

 

"I cannot sit back and watch our nation thwarted on the road to self determination. Our small independence neighbours enjoy wealthier, fairer and greener societies, and so should we.

 

"We urgently need to unleash the full talent of the SNP, the wider Yes movement and the country at large. We need to choose strong, competent leadership to deliver independence.

 

"We need someone who can unite our party and our movement. I am a unifier. I will reach out and listen so that members feel valued and able to contribute. That is also important if we are to persuade others of the merits of independence.

 

"Right now we also need someone with a grip on our economy and our finances. In the throes of a cost of living crisis, and the need to plan for independence, my years managing Scotland's budget and economy have given me the experience to do just that.

 

"More than anything we need a leader who is bold, brave, and energised, fresh-faced and ready for new challenges. Somebody who inspires confidence with the people of Scotland to vote for a better future."

 

Last week Ms Forbes joined fellow Highland and Island politicians in tributes to Ms Sturgeon, who announced she is resigning.

 

"Nicola Sturgeon has led our country with distinction, resilience, and compassion," she said.

 

"Her work ethic, her care for people and her desire to serve are second to none. As other political leaders have come and gone, her length of tenure is testament to her abilities.

 

"There is no doubt that leadership over such a prolonged period has a huge personal cost, particularly throughout the unprecedented Covid years."

 

You can read what your local MSPs and MPs said at www.obantimes.co.uk