John Swinney offers Kate Forbes a top government job in bid to become First Minister
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John Swinney has offered Kate Forbes a “significant” role in the government as he pitched himself as the “unity candidate” in his bid to lead the SNP and become Scotland’s next First Minister.
The Perthshire North MSP revealed at a press conference a few minutes ago that: "I intend to stand for election as leader of the Scottish National Party” with the aim of uniting the SNP and Scotland “for independence."
Kate Forbes is set to make her own announcement later today as a new Ipsos poll puts her way ahead with members of the public while he has more support from SNP members – provoking another problem for the crisis-hit party.
But laying out his stall, Mr Swinney seemed to strike out for an answer to that by closely involving the highly regarded former finance secretary in what he called a “significant” role in government.
With Ms Forbes set to make her intentions clear this afternoon, Mr Swinney said: “We have many talented people leading the work of the Scottish Government and I want Kate Forbes to play a significant part in that team.
"She is an intelligent, creative, thoughtful person who has much to contribute to our national life. And, if elected, I will make sure that Kate is able to meet that contribution.
“And that will be part of a united team that draws together our whole party, which given my deep, deep devotion to the SNP, I think I am best-placed to put together."
Should she accept the offer it would mean that two MSPs representing largely rural constituencies would be at the top table.
Mr Swinney has been touted as the most likely candidate to succeed Humza Yousaf and a safe pair of hands, having held a number of top cabinet posts like the cabinet secretary for finance, Covid recovery and education.
He said that his political platform comes “straight out of centre-left” tradition that he feels would "create a modern, diverse, dynamic Scotland that will ensure opportunity for all of her citizens."
But that could be seen by many as a disadvantage because of the many years he spent as Nicola Sturgeon’s Deputy First Minister coming at a time when many are seeking change in both Westminster and Holyrood.
That was reflected in an Ipsos poll based on 2021 SNP voters which indicated that they are most likely to favour Mr Swinney as a potential successor to Humza Yousaf as First Minister.
But when the public are asked who would make the best First Minister out of a list of possible SNP candidates, Ms Forbes has a six-point lead over Mr Swinney – but 2021 SNP voters are again more likely to prefer Swinney.
A picture is growing that was reflected in last year’s SNP leadership campaign where the public favoured candidate (Ms Forbes) lost to Humza Yousaf who the party membership narrowly preferred.
That shows the party is not reflective of the public at large as three in five SNP voters say Ms Yousaf’s decision to end the Bute House Agreement with the Greens was the wrong decision.
A total of 60 per cent of SNP voters felt it was the wrong decision whereas among the Scottish public overall 45 per cent thought it was wrong.
Also 39 per cent of the public believe a Labour-led Scottish Government would do a better job than one led by the SNP while 27 per cent say it would do a worse job.
