Kate Forbes is actively considering a bid to succeed Humza Yousaf as leader of the SNP, The Telegraph understands.
Mr Yousaf announced at lunchtime that he was stepping down as First Minister of Scotland after his decision to scrap the SNP’s coalition deal with the Scottish Greens prompted his leadership to unravel.
The 34-year-old former Finance Secretary is currently weighing up a second leadership bid, after she came close to defeating Mr Yousaf last year, in the face of overwhelming opposition from the party establishment.
“Nobody doubts John [Swinney]’s longstanding commitment to the SNP,” an ally of Ms Forbes said. “But maybe the question to ask is to what extent is he the future?
“Kate said last time continuity won’t cut it, and it didn’t. What is John if not continuity? Kate is still very popular with members and has been vindicated on almost everything she said in the last campaign. She is giving it serious consideration.”
It came as John Swinney, a former deputy first minister who has widely been tipped as Mr Yousaf’s potential replacement, declared he was giving “very careful consideration” to a leadership run of his own.
“I have been somewhat overwhelmed by the requests that have been made of me to do that, with many, many messages from many colleagues across the party,” he told broadcasters. “It is likely I will have more to say about that in the days to come.”
In a surprise press conference at Bute House on Monday lunchtime, Mr Yousaf insisted he had made “the right decision” in dumping his coalition partners in the Scottish Greens, while arguing his tenure as First Minister was proof that multiculturalism worked.
“Unfortunately, in ending the Bute House Agreement in the manner that I did, I clearly underestimated the level of hurt and upset that caused Green colleagues,” he told reporters.
“For a minority government to be able to govern effectively and efficiently, trust when working with the opposition is clearly fundamental. And while a route through this week’s motion of no confidence was absolutely possible, I am not willing to trade my values or principles or to deal with whomever simply for retaining power.
“After spending the weekend on what is best for my party, for the government and for the country I lead, I have concluded that repairing our relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm.”
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William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
