New favourite to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as frontrunner rules himself out
Scotland's Finance Secretary is now favourite to replace Nicola Sturgeon after launching a leadership bid this morning - less than an hour after the frontrunner ruled himself out of the top job.
Kate Forbes said she is returning early from maternity leave following Ms Sturgeon's surprise resignation as First Minister last week.
Describing herself as a "unifier", Ms Forbes said: "I can't sit back and watch our nation thwarted on the road to self-determination."
She added: "I believe we need someone who can unite our party and our movement. I'm a unifier."
Her bid was handed a boost when Angus Robertson - who was an early favourite among bookies - said he won't be putting himself forward.
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The Edinburgh Central MSP tweeted: "Since Nicola Sturgeon announced she is stepping down I have been encouraged by many to consider running for the SNP leadership and to become first minister.
"It is a real privilege and honour for people to wish me to stand and I am very thankful for their trust.
"However, as the father of two very young children the time is not right for me and my family to take on such a huge commitment."
He was the latest in a string of top SNP politicians to decide not to stand - following depute leader Keith Brown, Deputy First Minister John Swinney, Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, Ukraine minister Neil Gray and environment minister Mairi McAllan.
The SNP will elect its next leader by March 27.
Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has already announced he will run for the post, as has former community safety minister Ash Regan.
Earlier today bookmakers were offering odds of 11/8 for Mr Robertson, who spent nearly 16 years in Westminster as an SNP MP.
Ms Forbes was at 2/1, while Mr Yousaf was rated at 5/1.
Ms Regan resigned from her ministerial position in protest at the Scottish Government's gender reform plans, which set it on a collision course with Westminster.
Angus Robertson has ruled himself out of the race for Scottish First Minister (Getty Images)Mr Yousaf, announcing his leadership bid in the Sunday Mail, said he had been through a "rollercoaster of emotions" since Ms Sturgeon announced her resignation.
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He said: "You've got to put yourself forward if you think you're the best person for the job. And I do. This is the top job in the country, and it needs somebody who has experience."
And in the Sunday Mail, Ms Regan said: "We need to bring back unity, draw a line under certain things and move past them. I believe I am the person to do that.
Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has put himself forward to be First Minister"The electorate expect the Scottish Government to focus on things that are important to them.
"That means the NHS which is still struggling to get back on its feet after the pandemic. People expect a First Minister to concentrate on boosting the economy, creating jobs and helping them deal with the cost-of-living crisis."
Business minister Ivan McKee had earlier said an announcement from the "hugely talented" Ms Forbes could be expected today.
He told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Kate has some big decisions to make, of course, this happened while she was on maternity leave, she was not planning to come back until the beginning of April and as we all know the announcements of last week were a surprise to everyone.
"So Kate has had to assess her position, understand what can be done, but my understanding is that she has considered that and will be making an announcement later today and we shall see what she's got to say."
Mr McKee said he would be backing Ms Forbes if she decides to run.
He said: "I think Kate is a hugely talented individual, I've had the pleasure of working with her over the past seven years and seen first-hand what she is able to deliver, her focus on the things that are important to Scotland and her ability to engage with people on a very real and authentic level and persuade them of her case.
"And I think those talents, to be able to deliver excellent public services, a strong economy, a green economy for Scotland and to be able to persuade people of the case for the SNP and for independence, are exactly the assets we need in a leader."
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