Kate Forbes

The highly-rated finance minister Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan in the race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon.

[contentious gender reforms](https://www.politico.eu/article/how-culture-wars-could-dominate-the-race-to-replace-nicola-sturgeon/), which have split elements of the SNP. Forbes will join the Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and the rebellious backbench lawmaker Ash Regan in the race, triggered after Sturgeon, the long-serving Scottish first minister [announced her resignation](https://www.politico.eu/article/scotlands-nicola-sturgeon-to-resign/) last week. Yousaf has long been considered a future leader, although some

The cabinet secretary for finance and the economy is widely seen as a frontrunner in the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon.

The race to replace Sturgeon will last less than six weeks. “I can’t sit back and watch our nation thwarted on the road to self-determination. “Friends in the SNP, our nation and our movement are at a major crossroads. I’m a unifier, I’ll reach out and listen so that every member feels valued and able to contribute.” [Nicola Sturgeon](https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/nicola-sturgeon/) as SNP leader and Scotland’s first minister has intensified after another contender officially threw their hat in the ring. “We urgently need to unleash the full talent of the SNP, the wider Yes movement and the country at large.

Scottish finance minister Kate Forbes said on Monday she would run in the leadership contest to replace Nicola Sturgeon as Scottish National Party (SNP) ...

Somebody who inspires your confidence as an SNP member, and who inspires the confidence of the people of Scotland to vote for a better future. Before becoming a Member of Scottish Parliament, she worked as an accountant in the banking industry. I can't sit back and watch our nation thwarted on the road to self-determination," 32-year-old Forbes said in a video posted on Twitter.

32-year-old cuts short maternity leave to take part in contest to suceed Nicola Sturgeon.

“Clearly, there’s a spectrum of talent on display there.” Ms Forbes has long been seen as a potential successor to Ms Sturgeon. “I’m not wedded to the idea of using a general election as a de facto referendum. But Ms Yousaf expressed his doubts over using the 2024 general election as a de facto referendum on Scottish independence. But she also said there does need to be some reform of gender recognition law. Mr Robertson, previously SNP Westminster leader, had been widely tipped as one of those who would run.

The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch announced her bid via Twitter on Monday morning.

But right now we also need somebody with a grip on our economy and our finances. “I can’t sit back and watch our nation thwarted on the road to self-determination. Forbes said in her video: “Friends in the SNP, our nation and our movement are at a major crossroads. I’m a unifier, I’ll reach out and listen so that every member feels valued and able to contribute. “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 that we need to do just that. Forbes said that the country needs "somebody with a grip on our economy and our finances" adding that her "years managing Scotland’s budget and economy have given me the experience that we need to do just that."

The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch announced her leadership bid on Monday and joins health secretary Humza Yousaf and MSP Ash Regan in the fight for ...

"More than anything we need a leader who is bold, brave and energised, fresh-faced and ready for new challenges. Thank you." Somebody who inspires your confidence as an SNP member and who inspires the confidence of the people of Scotland to vote for a better future. "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 that we need to do just that. "The choices that we make in the next few weeks will have a profound impact on our future and on our children's future. Announcing her leadership bid in a video on Monday morning, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch said: "Friends in the SNP, our nation and our movement are at a major crossroads.

The SNP finance secretary will return from maternity leave early in the contest to be the next first minister of Scotland.

She added: “I cannot sit back and watch our nation thwarted on the road to self-determination. In 2019, she was one of three government ministers to sign a letter raising concerns about the potential implications for women of allowing people to self-identify their sex, one of the most controversial issues in the SNP at the moment. In a pitch focused at the SNP membership, she said she can “unite” the party and independence movement. Ms Forbes has spoken in the past about the importance of her faith, and has campaigned against religious bullying. Announcing her campaign launch earlier, she said “the nation and the Yes movement are at a major crossroads”. The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP broke her silence on the controversy hours after announcing she will return from maternity leave early to stand in the contest.

The Finance Secretary, currently on maternity leave, is considered a leading contender to replace Nicola Sturgeon.

Ms Forbes became the first cabinet secretary in the Scottish Government to take maternity leave. Her religious faith has been a significant talking point. When it came to the vote in December 2022, her loyalty to party or conscience could not be tested as Ms Forbes was away on maternity leave and could not vote. In 2020, Ms Forbes became the first woman to deliver a budget in either Holyrood and Westminster. Kate Forbes was first tipped as a potential candidate to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister after the way she calmly delivered the budget just hours after she took over from the finance secretary in 2020. Born in Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands, Ms Forbes spent much of her early years going between a Gaelic school in Scotland and studying in India, after relocating with her family.

The Scottish Finance Secretary declared her candidacy on Monday, following on from announcements by Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan.

“Somebody who inspires your confidence as an SNP member and who inspires the confidence of the people of Scotland to vote for a better future Saying someone is needed who can “unite” the SNP – which has been split recently by the controversy over reforms to the gender recognition process – she pledged to “reach out and listen”. [Forbes](/topic/forbes), who had been widely tipped to stand, announced her decision on Monday, insisting she has the “vision, experience and competence to inspire voters across Scotland”.

The Scottish Finance Secretary declared her candidacy on Monday, following on from announcements by Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan.

But the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who is a Free Church of Scotland member, is at odds with others in the party – and current policy – on some social issues, including the hotly-debated gender reforms blocked by the UK Government. Meanwhile, Ms Regan indicated that she would take a different tack to the current SNP leadership on the issue of North Sea oil. Ms Forbes, meanwhile, has been seen as a potential successor to the First Minister since she was thrust into the limelight when she had to deliver the Scottish budget at short notice in 2020 after her predecessor, Derek Mackay, resigned in disgrace. He said he was confident he could win the leadership contest, adding that his extensive experience in government meant he was best placed to succeed Ms Sturgeon. Later, in an interview with the PA news agency, Ms Forbes said independence would be at the “front and centre” of the next election – but stressed uniting the party on a method was key. Speaking as he officially launched his campaign for the top job in Clydebank on Monday, Mr Yousaf said uniting the party and securing Scottish independence would be his main priorities.

The Finance Secretary made the pledge as she announced her bid to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister.

She told PA: “It is quite an illiberal discourse. “I think we should ensure there is not fear and harassment, but also to make sure that the Bill is targeted well, and balanced.” And she said that women should not “be subjected to fear and harassment” when attending clinics across the country.

Kate Forbes has said she would not have voted for the Scottish Government's Gender Recognition Reform Bill.

"I have never been averse to reform of the gender recognition act. And that would have been a decision that I'd have had to take in discussion with colleagues, obviously, I wasn't there." "I'm the person that took the Hate Crime Bill through the Parliament, which extended more rights to the LGBT community. "So I would be loath to challenge it. "So look, my track record will speak for itself. And I would hope that others might defend my right to do that." I'm going be fasting for Ramadan in a number of months. So whatever I say just now is caveated by the fact that we need legal advice. "I've been out of government for seven months. Asked by the BBC if she thought a man can marry another man, the MSP said: "I do, under the legal provisions in this country. Asked if she would have voted for the Bill, Ms Forbes said: "I have been on record saying that I had significant concerns about self ID and I would have had those significant concerns about self ID and therefore, the Bill in its current form, I would have struggled to vote for." "Ultimately in a pluralistic and a tolerant society my approach is to defend your right to live and to love, and to do so without fear or harassment and I would hope that you might afford me the same right, to practice my faith in accordance with mainstream teaching," she said.

The Finance Secretary said she wouldn't have backed the legislation had she been voting at the time.

“But what I don’t do is, I don’t use my faith as a basis of legislation. She told PA: “It is quite an illiberal discourse. I’m somebody who’s proud of my faith. I’m a Muslim. She cited the example of Angela Merkel as a leader who voted on the matter “with her conscience”, adding: “I think for me, Angela Merkel is the example I would follow, I would have voted, as a matter of conscience, along the lines of mainstream teaching in most major religions that marriage is between a man and a woman. [Nicola Sturgeon](/topic/nicola-sturgeon) as SNP leader and [First Minister](/topic/first-minister) of Scotland, said in an interview that she would not have backed the legislation, but would have “respected and defended the democratic choice that was made”.

Kate Forbes declared her candidacy for the leadership position and will compete with health secretary Humza Yousaf and MSP Ash Regan.

"I am that leader and I want to lead our party into better days, with integrity and commitment, for the sake of your children and my children. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). Several prominent members of the party have already declined to participate in the race, including Sturgeon's unexpected announcement of resignation last week, the hunt for a new leader for the SNP has commenced. I believe we need someone who can unite our party and our movement. This came after Nicola [Sturgeon](/topic/sturgeon)announced that she would step down as SNP leader and Scotland's first minister. I can't sit back and watch our nation thwarted on the road to self-determination.” "We need to choose strong, competent leadership to deliver independence - the leadership that I can offer. "Our small, independent neighbours enjoy wealthier, fairer, and greener societies - and so should we. She will cut short her maternity leave following the birth of her first child to enter the race, where she will compete against health secretary Humza Yousaf and [MSP](/topic/msp)Ash Regan. We urgently need to unleash the full talent of the SNP, the wider Yes movement and the country at large," Forbes said. The choices that we make in the next few weeks will have a profound impact on our future and on our children's future.

The Finance Secretary said she wouldn't have backed the legislation had she been voting at the time.

“But what I don’t do is, I don’t use my faith as a basis of legislation. She told PA: “It is quite an illiberal discourse. I’m a Muslim. I’m somebody who’s proud of my faith. The finance secretary, one of the two frontrunners to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland, said in an interview that she would not have backed the legislation, but would have “respected and defended the democratic choice that was made”. She cited the example of Angela Merkel as a leader who voted on the matter “with her conscience”, adding: “I think for me, Angela Merkel is the example I would follow, I would have voted, as a matter of conscience, along the lines of mainstream teaching in most major religions that marriage is between a man and a woman.

The Finance Secretary made the pledge as she announced her bid to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister.

She told PA: “It is quite an illiberal discourse. “I think we should ensure there is not fear and harassment, but also to make sure that the Bill is targeted well, and balanced.” And she said that women should not “be subjected to fear and harassment” when attending clinics across the country.

The finance secretary cited the example of German leader Angela Merkel who voted against similar legislation.

"But what I don't do is, I don't use my faith as a basis of legislation. Speaking on LBC Radio, he said: "I'm a supporter of equal marriage. What I do as a representative, as a leader, as a Member of the Scottish Parliament is my job is to bring forward policy and pursue it in the best interest of the country." I'm somebody who's proud of my faith. "This is not a retrospective issue. We still have more to do to make Scotland fairer, safer and more equal, including ending conversion therapy.

We'll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Scottish National Party news every morning. Shortly after she shot to prominence as Scotland's ...

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The Finance Secretary told The Scotsman that she would not have supported equal marriage as a "matter of conscience" if she had been a member of parliament ...

"As a servant of democracy in a country where this is law, I would defend to the hilt, your right and anybody else's right to live and to love without harassment or fear." Asked about her position on the morality of the issue, she added: "In terms of the morality of the issue, I am a practising Christian. [would not have voted for the Scottish Government's gender reforms in its current form](https://www.thenational.scot/news/23334541.kate-forbes-wouldnt-voted-scotlands-gender-reforms/) and said she does not support self-ID. Speaking on BBC radio, earlier Forbes said that it was "right" she was under greater scrutiny after deciding to run in the contest to replace "I think it is a question of how we govern, right now, at a time of difficult choices in a way that most aligns with the people who sent us here to govern.” "I am a servant of democracy in this country, equal marriage is a legal right and therefore I would defend that legal commitment. "I practice the teachings of most mainstream religions, whether that's Islam, Judaism, Christianity, that marriage is between a man and a woman. "It is a legal right now and I am a servant of democracy, I am not a dictator.” "I think for me, Angela Merkel is the example I would follow, I would have voted, as a matter of conscience, along the lines of mainstream teaching in most major religions that marriage is between a man and a woman. [told The Scotsman](https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/kate-forbes-i-would-have-voted-against-gay-marriage-says-snp-leadership-contender-4034704) that she would not have supported equal marriage as a "matter of conscience" if she had been a member of parliament at the time. Forbes said while she wouldn't have backed the legislation, she would have "respected and defended the democratic choice that was made". "But I would have respected and defended the democratic choice that was made.

Record View says comments by Forbes saying she would have voted against gay marriage pose serious questions about her fitness to lead her party.

If Forbes is to stand any chance of winning over the people, she will have to make a similar declaration. In fact, religious faith can often be the backbone of a commitment to social justice and equality. But he this does not stand in the way of his commitment to same-sex marriage. Scotland – under Labour/LibDem and SNP administrations – has made great strides to becoming a more confident, socially liberal place to live. There’s no doubt that she has a lot of ability and a great deal to contribute at Holyrood, where brains, talent and political wisdom are in short supply. Among those is a cast-iron commitment to protect the rights of all, regardless of their race, religion or sexual orientation.

Frontrunner said to have 'f*****' her campaign to succeed Nicola Sturgeon with controversial stance.

I think I would have struggled to support that self-ID element of the Gender Recognition Act,” she said. Ms Forbes later said she regrets the “hurt” her comments on equal marriage had caused. But she was one of 15 SNP politicians who publicly called on her party to delay the proposals which make it easier for “But what I don’t do is, I don’t use my faith as a basis of legislation. “But I would have respected and defended the democratic choice that was made. He also said he would not legislate on the basis of his faith.

SNP politicians have pulled their support for finance secretary Kate Forbes' bid to become the next first minister of Scotland after she revealed…

“I need to sleep and reflect on the assurances she has given me. But I have red lines. I wish her well- she’s extremely talented. I have always respected that. “She could have perhaps reflected that even though she couldn’t have voted in favour of equal marriage she might understand how hurtful and disappointing that might be to many of us and that she recognises that.” In a series of Twitter posts, she said: “I believe firmly in respectful discourse and debate and I have to say I have a level of respect for her being so open and direct about her views and why she holds them but I disagree with her.

Ms Forbes, Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan are running to become SNP leader and First Minister.

On Tuesday morning, she tweeted: “We must be full throated in our support of equal marriage. “I wish her well- she’s extremely talented. But I have red lines. I won’t be supporting Kate’s campaign on that basis. Ms Forbes later said she regrets the pain caused by her comments. “I understand people have very strong views on these matters.

The SNP leader and first minister hopeful has admitted she would have voted against gay marriage in Scotland at the time it was made legal almost a decade ...

But I will not roll back on any rights that already exist in That doesn't necessarily allow for much nuance. "My position on these matters is that I will defend to the hilt everybody's rights in a pluralistic and tolerant society, to live and to love free of harassment and fear." "Under Angela Merkel's leadership, she held a vote on same-sex marriage, she implemented the results of that vote to introduce the legal right to equal marriage, but she voted in line with her conscience." The finance secretary earlier admitted she would have voted against gay marriage in Scotland at the time it was made legal almost a decade ago. The SNP leader and first minister hopeful has admitted she would have voted against gay marriage in Scotland at the time it was made legal almost a decade ago.

The finance secretary said the public was "longing for a politician to answer straight questions with straight answers".

"I think for me, Angela Merkel is the example I would follow, I would have voted, as a matter of conscience, along the lines of mainstream teaching in most major religions that marriage is between a man and a woman. "But I would have respected and defended the democratic choice that was made." "On equal marriage, it is a legal right - and as a servant of democracy I absolutely respect and defend that democratic right". "In the same way, I hope that others can be afforded the right, as people of faith, to practice fairly mainstream teaching - and that is the nuance that needs catching. She told BBC Radio Scotland: "My position on these matters is that I will defend to the hilt everybody's rights in a pluralistic and tolerant society, to live free from harassment and fear. "I understand the public has very strong views - but I think the public are longing for a politician to answer straight questions with straight answers, and that's certainly what I have tried to do."

Kate Forbes' campaign for the SNP leadership has been dealt a significant blow after a number of Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs) withdrew their ...

And that is the nuance that we need to capture on equal marriage. "But equal marriage is a legal right today. That doesn't necessarily allow for much nuance," she told BBC Radio 4 this morning. Claire Haughey, minister for children and young people, tweeted: “I absolutely and completely support equal marriage. I am unequivocal on this issue. Lochhead, the SNP MSP for Moray.

The Scottish finance secretary said she voted against gay marriage as a “matter of conscience”

being a diverse and tolerant country” but that it is “fundamentally a decision for political parties to decide who leads them.” prime minister Rishi Sunak said Tuesday he remains “hugely proud of the U.K. [in the race](https://www.politico.eu/article/nicola-sturgeon-kate-forbes-angus-robertson-runners-and-riders-to-replace-scotlands-leader/) for the top Scottish job. [said](https://twitter.com/RichardLochhead/status/1627800350739554307) that the SNP “can’t have a party leader who’d vote against same-sex marriage.” [told journalists](https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/i-would-have-voted-against-gay-marriage-says-snp-leadership-contender-4034704) in the hours following her candidacy launch Monday that she would have voted against legalizing gay marriage “as a matter of conscience.” The bill legalizing same-sex marriage was passed by the Scottish parliament in 2014, two years before Forbes became a lawmaker. [replace Nicola Sturgeon](https://www.politico.eu/article/scotlands-nicola-sturgeon-to-resign/) at the top of the pro-independence Scottish National Party is fighting to stay in the race after stating her opposition to gay marriage.

Gender recognition reform bill has significantly affected internal culture of the SNP, exposing party divisions in public.

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Ms Forbes, Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan are running to become SNP leader and First Minister.

On Tuesday morning, she tweeted: “We must be full throated in our support of equal marriage. “I wish her well- she’s extremely talented. But I have red lines. I won’t be supporting Kate’s campaign on that basis. Ms Forbes later said she regrets the pain caused by her comments. “I understand people have very strong views on these matters.

MSPs who previously backed Forbes withdrew support after she said she would not have voted for equal marriage legislation.

Cheung, who says she joined the party in 2019 “because of its pro-LGBTQ values”, added: “We all understand an individual’s right to practise their faith, but this should not be done at expense of our right to love. She repeated the position reported by many outlets on Monday night, including the Guardian: “I will defend to the hilt everybody’s right in a pluralistic and tolerant society to live and to love free of harassment and fear. [Scotland](https://www.theguardian.com/uk/scotland) are barred either to people of faith or … Clare Haughey, the minister of children and young people, who had earlier nominated Forbes for her “skills, knowledge, experience”, responded: “I absolutely and completely support equal marriage. The third candidate to put herself forward, Ash Regan, a former minster who resigned over Holyrood’s gender recognition bill, has yet to speak at length to the media. It looks like she wasn’t prepared to take it.”

The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch also said transgender double rapist Isla Bryson "is a man" as she campaigns to become the next SNP leader and ...

When asked what's the wildest thing she's ever done, Ms Forbes said: "Riding a motorbike. She added: "For me, it would be wrong according to my faith, but for you I have no idea what your faith is. She stated: "On day one of becoming first minister, I will be setting out my plans and policies to deliver economic growth and to ensure that the NHS is on a sustainable footing." [controversial case of transgender double rapist Isla Bryson](https://news.sky.com/story/women-not-at-risk-of-harm-when-transgender-rapist-isla-bryson-housed-in-female-only-jail-says-prison-service-review-12806993), Ms Forbes stated: "A rapist cannot be a woman and therefore my straight answer would be that Isla Bryson is a man." "In terms of my faith, my faith would say that sex is for marriage and that's the approach that I would practice." The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch also said transgender double rapist Isla Bryson "is a man" as she campaigns to become the next SNP leader and Scotland's first minister.

Ms Forbes, Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan are running to become SNP leader and First Minister.

On Tuesday morning, she tweeted: “We must be full throated in our support of equal marriage. “I wish her well- she’s extremely talented. But I have red lines. I won’t be supporting Kate’s campaign on that basis. Ms Forbes later said she regrets the pain caused by her comments. “I understand people have very strong views on these matters.

SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes has said her campaign to replace Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister is “absolutely not over” despite a backlash over her ...

On Tuesday morning, she tweeted: “We must be full throated in our support of equal marriage. “I wish her well- she’s extremely talented. But I have red lines. I won’t be supporting Kate’s campaign on that basis. Ms Forbes later said she regrets the pain caused by her comments. “I understand people have very strong views on these matters.

The current Scottish Finance Secretary is one of three candidates currently standing to replace Nicola Sturgeon as both First Minister and SNP leader. But Ms ...

She told BBC Radio Scotland: “I understand people have very strong views on these matters. Ms Regan is also opposed to the legislation – which has been blocked by Westminster – and stepped down from her role as community safety minister last year so she could vote against the Bill. Ms Regan took to Twitter to indicate her support for same-sex marriage, saying simply “love is love”, while Mr Yousaf stated he would “always fight for the equal rights of others”. The Finance Secretary said: “My position on these matters is that I will defend to the hilt everybody’s rights in a pluralistic and tolerant society, to live and to love free of harassment and fear.” Ms Forbes was on maternity leave following the birth of her first child last year when she launched her campaign to succeed Ms Sturgeon on Monday. But Ms Forbes, a member of the Free Church of Scotland, lost some of her high profile supporters in the leadership contest after she said she would not have voted for gay marriage.

Ms Forbes, who wants to become Scotland's next first minister, has lost the support of several MSPs after admitting she would have voted against gay ...

Ms Forbes later said she regrets the pain caused by her comments. “I understand people have very strong views on these matters. That doesn’t necessarily allow for much nuance. But I have red lines. I won’t be supporting Kate’s campaign on that basis. I wish her well- she’s extremely talented.