Politics Recap: Kate Forbes confirms she will not run for SNP leadership as John Swinney announces bid
Recap another manic day in Scottish politics.
RECAP: John Swinney confirms he is standing for SNP leader and First Minister
Key Events
- John Swinney says his policies will come from the centre-left and he will continue the fight for Scottish independence
- He says his potential leadership rival Kate Forbes will be given a "significant role" in cabinet if he wins
- Kate Forbes will not stand for election, potentially leaving John Swinney uncontested
John Swinney is back in Holyrood this afternoon and I managed to grab a quick chat with him in the parliament’s garden lobby.
He said: “I’m good, I’m pleased about this morning.
“I wanted to say clearly my proposition to the SNP that I think I can unite the party, I can bring the party together and make sure that we focus all of it as a unique, cohesive team that supports independence.”
I then asked him if he believes the SNP has not been cohesive under Humza Yousaf, to which he said: “I acknowledged that this morning that we are not as cohesive as we should be.
“I entered this contest when I didn’t have to, there are plenty others who could have stood, because I think I’ve got the strengths, experience, the trust and confidence.”
Stephen Flynn says Kate Forbes is “one of the best in the business”.
The SNP’s Westminster leader had himself been touted to potentially stand for SNP leader himself, despite not being an MSP.
However he ruled himself out by publicly backing John Swinney days before he even officially announced he was going to run.
Now he said: “[Kate Forbes is] one of the best in the business and this statement stands as testament to that.
“The unity we now have can enable us to redouble our focus on the people’s priorities.
“Scotland’s voice is always strongest when the SNP win - let’s get to it.”
Polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice says a new SNP leader is a “re-set moment” for the party.
He says the shrinking gap between the SNP and Labour at both Westminster and Holyrood is not irreversible.
Professor Curtice said: “This is the re-set moment.
“What is now crucial is do the SNP get somebody in place who can unite the party, get an accommodation with the Greens and project the party and the cause of independence much more effectively than was the case for the last 12 months?
“I have some question marks about Swinney on the second criteria, but he certainly should be able to do it on the first.
However he suggests both Mr Swinney and Kate Forbes would be better leaders than Humza Yousaf has been, saying avoiding a “divisive” contest can avoid crowning a “weak leader”.
Professor Curtice added: “That’s what happened 12 months ago - to be frank, I think both Swinney and Forbes could do a better job than Yousaf.
“They’ve got their respective advantages and disadvantages.”
An interesting observation.
If John Swinney does get elected as the next SNP leader, the party will only have had four different leaders since 1990 - John Swinney, Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.