KATE Forbes today revealed she will NOT run to be SNP leader and will instead back would-be rival John Swinney.
The sensational development paves the way for a “coronation” of ex Deputy First Minister Mr Swinney as SNP boss, replacing Humza Yousaf.
GettyKate Forbes revealed she will not run to be SNP leader[/caption]
The sensational development paves the way for a “coronation” of Mr Swinney as SNP boss
GettyMr Yousaf broke down in tears as he sensationally quit as Scotland’s First Minister[/caption]
And it means Mr Swinney could be First Minister as early as next Tuesday.
Ms Forbes today backed him – after he promised to try to unify the splintered party and give her a top job in government.
It comes after the former deputy first minister and right-hand man of Nicola Sturgeon confirmed his intention to run this morning.
In a written statement, Ms Forbes said: “Ultimately, I have concluded that the best way to deliver the urgent change Scotland needs is to join with John Swinney and advocate for that reform agenda within the Scottish Government.”
Ms Forbes said she had listened “very carefully” to Mr Swinney, considered what to do with “great care” and made the decision following “frank and constructive” discussions with the ex-finance secretary earlier this week – as revealed by The Scottish Sun.
The defeated leadership candidate said the secret talks saw the two agree on a “powerful common purpose for the country”.
Ms Forbes added: “That includes a passion to revitalise our party, reach out to those who feel disempowered and reinvigorate the independence movement.
“It also includes an understanding that economic growth and tackling poverty must again be key priorities, and that a just transition to ‘net zero’ must work with, and not against, our communities and businesses.”
The ex-finance secretary said: “John is clear that he is determined to return the SNP to governing from the mainstream. Competent, candid government earning the trust of the people.
“If we want to rewin the trust of the people, tone and language matter in the way we conduct ourselves.”
And Ms Forbes added: “It is now clear from this morning’s statement that in John Swinney we have someone who not only understands that need for reform, but has now committed to delivering it.
“I look forward to playing my role in making that happen.”
It comes after Mr Swinney used his speech to call for unity and pitched himself as the only man who can bring the “many talented people” within the SNP together.
And in a bid to avoid a repeat of last year’s bitter and vicious leadership contest, Mr Swinney praised Ms Forbes as “intelligent, creative and thoughtful person.”
He said: “I want Kate Forbes to play significant part in that team. She is an intelligent, creative and thoughtful person, who has much to contribute to our national life. And if I am elected, I will make sure that Kate is able to make that contribution.”
KATE FORBES’ STATEMENT IN FULL
“I welcomed, and embrace, his commitment to ensure internal respect for robust and divergent debate in the party, which is the lifeblood of any democratic institution like the SNP.
“I was also greatly heartened by his drive to restore a sense of courtesy and dignity to the way we conduct ourselves as a party and as a Parliament. If we want to rewin the trust of the people, tone and language matter in the way we conduct ourselves.
“I have also had the opportunity to speak directly with him to discuss the future of our party and our country.
“Those discussions on the future of the SNP and our vision for Scotland were both frank and constructive.
“What emerged was that we share a powerful common purpose for the country.
“That includes a passion to revitalise our party, reach out to those who feel disempowered and reinvigorate the independence movement.
“It also includes an understanding that economic growth and tackling poverty must again be key priorities, and that a just transition to ‘net zero’ must work with, and not against, our communities and businesses.
But more than that, John is clear that he is determined to return the SNP to governing from the mainstream. Competent, candid government earning the trust of the people.
“That was the vision I offered in the last leadership contest, and is evidently demanded by the Scottish public.
“I have therefore weighed the decision whether or not to seek the leadership of the party with great care.
“Ultimately, I have concluded that the best way to deliver the urgent change Scotland needs is to join with John Swinney and advocate for that reform agenda within the Scottish Government.
“I can therefore today announce that I will not be seeking nomination as the next SNP leader.
“John will therefore have my support and endorsement in any campaign to follow.
“I sincerely thank every party member, and each of my parliamentary colleagues in Holyrood and Westminster, who have been in touch to urge me to stand.
“I recognise many people might be disappointed that I will not be contesting the position of leader at this time. To those people I say this – you can be certain that delivering on the priorities for which we have, together, advocated in recent years has been at the heart of today’s decision.
“It is now clear from this morning’s statement that in John Swinney we have someone who not only understands that need for reform, but has now committed to delivering it.
“I look forward to playing my role in making that happen.”
All but committing to giving Ms Forbes a senior role in his cabinet, Mr Swinney added: “I want Kate Forbes to be part of team SNP in a very involved, senior participant in team SNP.
“What I want to make sure is that we take forward the SNP in a constructive and effective fashion on the basis that I’ve set out in my policy prospectus today.”
It comes after The Scottish Sun revealed secret talks between the two potential contenders took place on Tuesday.
And after senior sources said the party needed to avoid a “bloodbath”.
It is now expected that Ms Forbes will be given a senior role in Mr Swinney’s cabinet – potentially deputy first minister, finance or economy secretary.
She was narrowly defeated by Humza Yousaf last year after savaging the departing first minister’s record in government.
In a TV debate the ex-finance secretary said: “You were a transport minister and the trains were never on time, when you were justice secretary the police were stretched to breaking point, and now as health minister, we’ve got record high waiting times.
“What makes you think you can do a better job as first minister?”
Members of her campaign team this year said her final decision would depend on Mr Swinney’s overall pitch and an agreement the SNP needs to change its approach.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said: “The people of Scotland are crying out for change – but all the SNP is offering them is yesterday’s man in John Swinney.
“John Swinney was the Finance Minister who broke the public finances, the worst Education Secretary in the history of the Scottish Parliament, the Deputy First Minister who deleted evidence meant for the Covid Inquiry and the man who has been at the heart of this incompetent SNP Government for the past seventeen years.
“Scotland’s public services are in crisis with almost one in six Scots on NHS waiting lists, the economy stagnating and homelessness on the rise.
“But rather than facing up to the challenges that we face, the SNP has put the interests of their party before the country yet again.
“It’s time for change.
“While the SNP stands in the way of democracy, Scottish Labour is looking to the future and is focused on delivering the change that Scotland needs.”
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “Kate Forbes has caved into SNP demands for a stitch-up to install John Swinney as leader and spare the party the bloodbath of another leadership contest.
“But this shady backroom deal won’t cover-up the bitter splits that exist within the SNP – it just applies a sticking plaster to a gaping wound.”
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