John Swinney and Kate Forbes, both potential successors to outgoing First Minister Humza Yousaf, held informal talks on Tuesday as they consider bids for the leadership of the Scottish National Party. While neither candidate has confirmed they are running to lead the SNP, nominations for the role close on Monday, and a contest will be held if more than one candidate gets enough support. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Swinney said he would not be rushed into making decisions that affect his family. Ms. Forbes, however, said she was “listening just now and not ruling anything out.”
Senior figures in the party have backed both candidates. Mr. Swinney has been supported by cabinet ministers Shirley-Anne Somerville and Neil Gray, Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, and deputy leader Keith Brown, while Ms. Forbes has been publicly supported by backbench MP Joanna Cherry, as well as ex-ministers Fergus Ewing and Ivan McKee. Allies of Ms. Forbes told BBC Scotland News that she had been making progress in her potential leadership bid, including on policy positions and resources.
Mr. Yousaf, who announced his resignation earlier this week, has said he will step down as first minister once a new leader is chosen. If parliament fails to nominate a new first minister in 28 days, a snap election would be called. Speaking to BBC News, Mr. Yousaf said he had “paid the price” for the way he ended the SNP’s power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens, although he stood by his decision and said it was the “right decision”.
A motion of no confidence in Mr. Yousaf’s government was defeated by 70 votes to 58 in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, with the Greens withdrawing their support following the first minister’s resignation. If the motion had passed, the entire government would have been compelled to resign, with parliament given 28 days to nominate a new first minister.
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