Forbes tops SNP poll despite some former supporters’ U-turn
A poll of SNP supporters revealed that Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch SNP MSP Kate Forbes is the most popular candidate for Scottish First Minister, despite a backlash to her religious beliefs.
Scots who voted for Ms Sturgeon’s party in 2021 were questioned on who they think should replace her, while another survey for the Sunday Times suggested that Ms Forbes was ahead by eight per cent.
The Big Partnership poll also revealed that 31 per cent of those questioned didn’t know who to back yet, while 28 per cent said they supported the current Scottish finance secretary.
This put Ms Forbes ahead of Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan, who polled at 20 per cent and seven per cent respectively.
It come after some SNP MSPs withdrew their support for the Free Church of Scotland member last week, when she faced a backlash after revealing that she would not have voted for same-sex marriage if she had been an MSP when the legislation was passed.
Paul Robertson, head of public affairs at the Big Partnership, said: “Our poll indicates SNP voters want to judge the candidates on their plans for the bread-and-butter issues of government – tackling the cost-of-living crisis, growing the economy and improving public services.”
Ms Forbes has apologised after the backlash to her faith-informed views on equal marriage, transgender rights and sex outside marriage.
Last Thursday, she wrote on Twitter that she felt “greatly burdened and heartsore that some of my responses to direct questions in the media have caused hurt to friends, colleagues and fellow citizens”.
Ms Forbes has since attempted to steer the debate back to her thoughts on effective governance, economic growth and policy development.
“Every leader’s identity is multifaceted – I am a woman, I am a Highlander, I have a faith,”, she said. “Of all these characteristics, the questions over the last few days have focused on my religious faith. I feel greatly burdened that some of my responses to questions in the media have caused hurt, which was never my intention as I sought to answer questions clearly.
“I will defend to the hilt the rights of everybody in Scotland, particularly minorities, to live and to love without fear or harassment in a pluralistic and tolerant society. I will uphold the laws that have been hard won, as a servant of democracy, and seek to enhance the rights of everybody to live in a way which enables them to flourish. I firmly believe in the inherent dignity of each human being; that underpins all ethical and political decisions I make.”
She added: “In the full knowledge of my faith, voters in Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch elected me with one of the biggest majorities in Scotland in 2021. That demonstrates that voters were comfortable knowing that I would serve them faithfully and without prejudice.
“Since 2018, I have served in government, making financial decisions for the benefit of all of Scotland’s people. It is possible to be a person of faith, and to defend others’ rights to have no faith or a different faith.”