New cabinet role in offing for Skye and Lochaber MSP
As the country awaits to hear who incoming First Minister John Swinney appoints to his new government, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Kate Forbes, has wished her new boss all the best in his new role.
Mr Swinney was elected unopposed as leader of the Scottish National Party on Monday and officially became First Minister the following day.
Speaking to the Lochaber Times on Tuesday, Ms Forbes said: “My heartfelt congratulations to John Swinney as he becomes SNP leader and I was pleased to vote for him to be Scotland’s First Minister.
“It will now be for John as First Minister to establish a cabinet and to appoint the right people to those roles. That will be his decision and I look forward to playing my role serving the country.”
In his speech last week, John Swinney said he wanted to have Kate back in the government, but in what capacity/role was yet to be revealed.
It is expected that Mr Swinney will speak to Ms
Forbes at some point this week.
Following the resignation of Humza Yousaf last week Ms Forbes announced that she would not be seeking nomination for the post and would back Mr Swinney instead.
The former finance secretary narrowly lost out to Humza Yousaf in last year’s leadership contest but announced that
she would not be standing for the First Ministers role herself this time just hours after Mr Swinney launched his leadership bid last week.
Explaining her position, she said: “I have listened very carefully to the vision John Swinney set out for Scotland.
“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 therefore weighed the decision whether or not to seek the leadership of the party with great care.
“Ultimately, I 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.
“John will have my support and endorsement in any campaign to follow.”