Following Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation last week, finance secretary Kate Forbes has declared her candidature for the SNP presidency.
Ms. Forbes will cut short her maternity leave to run against Ms. Sturgeon for the position of the first minister.
Secretary of Health Humza Yousaf and former minister Ash Regan have already declared their candidature.
The constitution secretary, Angus Robertson, has ruled himself out of the candidature for party leadership.
He tweeted that his family is not ready for such a big commitment because he has two small children.
Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch MSP Ms. Forbes campaigned on “competent leadership to attain independence.”
She stated that it was time to “unleash the complete talent of the SNP, the broader Yes movement, and the entire country” as she pledged to run on a platform of competent leadership to achieve independence.
“Forbes stated, “The nation and the Yes movement are at a major crossroads. Our choices in the coming weeks will shape our future and that of our children.”
“I cannot stand by and observe as our nation’s path to independence is obstructed. Our small, independent neighbors experience more prosperous, equitable, and environmentally friendly societies, and so can we.”
She went on: “We require someone in whom electors can have faith, who possesses integrity and dedication. I am this leader, and I intend to guide the party into better times.”
In the coming days, the 32-year-old, who was on maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter Naomi in August, is anticipated to reveal her plans for a leadership bid.
The SNP will soon undergo a generational transition. There were attempts to convince veteran nationalists such as John Swinney and Angus Robertson to run for office.
Both have disqualified themselves. Three candidates are from an age when the SNP controlled Holyrood and independence was a major issue in Scotland.
That does not imply that they lack experience. Humza Yousaf has been a minister for years, and Kate Forbes holds an important position in the Scottish cabinet.
However, as one senior SNP figure explained to me: “It’s a change within the SNP. It continues with a new personnel list.”
Minister of Enterprise Ivan McKee stated that he would support the “extremely talented” Ms. Forbes.
He stated: “I believe Kate is a tremendously gifted individual; I’ve had the pleasure of working with her for the past seven years and have witnessed firsthand what she is capable of delivering her focus on the issues that matter most to Scotland, and her ability to connect with people on a very real and authentic level and persuade them of her position.
And I believe that the ability to provide outstanding public services, a strong economy, and a green economy for Scotland, as well as the ability to persuade people of the case for the SNP and independence, are precisely the qualities we seek in a leader.
Ms. Forbes is viewed as a potential successor to Nicola Sturgeon, as she was propelled into the spotlight when she was tasked with delivering the 2020 Scottish budget after Derek Mackay resigned in disgrace.
On the other hand, some critics have asserted that the Free Church of Scotland members may be at variance with the rest of the party on certain social issues, such as the gender reforms blocked by the British government.
Ms. Regan, a presidential candidate, was “utterly shocked” by the religious attacks on her “great friend.”
To secure a spot on the ballot, candidates have until Friday to collect 100 nominations from at least 20 local branches. The winner will be declared on March 27.
