LONDON — Kate Forbes has joined a three-horse race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party.
Forbes, currently Scotland’s finance secretary, tweeted his intention to run with a video promoting her credentials as a “bringer” and “bold, courageous, energetic and fresh-faced leader”.
His statement comes as SNP veteran Angus Robertson, the bookmakers’ early favourite, announced Monday that he couldn’t bear. Forbes will join Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and rebel backbench lawmaker Ash Regan in the race, sparked after Sturgeon, Scotland’s longtime First Minister announced her resignation last week.
Forbes, 32, has been considered one of the SNP’s brightest lights since his sudden elevation to Sturgeon’s cabinet in 2020.
Currently on maternity leave, she is a member of the socially conservative Free Church of Scotland, and campaigning for the top job could see her face a host of questions about the so-called ‘culture wars’.
Forbes has previously raised concerns about Sturgeon’s controversial gender reforms, which have divided elements of the SNP. It was also reported that she told an audience at a prayer breakfast in 2018 that politicians should recognize that the treatment of the “unborn” was a measure of societal progress.
Yousaf, a key Sturgeon ally, declared his candidacy Sunday saying he had the necessary experience for the job. Yousaf has long been seen as a future leader, although some polls suggest he is less popular with the public than other candidates.
Regan also declared her candidacy on Sunday with a promise to drop Sturgeon’s gender reforms if elected. She resigned from Sturgeon’s cabinet last year over her opposition to the legislation.
Politico
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