Let members switch their vote for SNP’s new leader, pleads MP
A NATIONALIST MP last night made a plea to his party to extend the chaotic race to become First Minister – and allow members to change their votes at the last minute.
Angus MacNeil said it was paramount voters are not left with a ‘feeling of regret’ when the winner is announced tomorrow, and expressed fears many are still keen to switch their allegiance.
His comments come as insiders at Ash Regan’s campaign claim they have received around 500 emails from concerned members wanting to change their votes in recent days.
Meanwhile, two Scottish Government ministers who publicly backed the establishment candidate Humza Yousaf have secretly confided in people close to Kate Forbes that they now want her to become First Minister. Last night, Mr MacNeil said: ‘If two out of 27 ministers in the Scottish Government have changed their mind, that is around 7 per cent of them.
‘If that figure of 7 per cent is reflected in the membership wanting to change their vote then there’s a real possibility that people will be left with a feeling of regret when the winner is announced.
‘You avoid those feelings of regret by reopening the ballot.’
Mi-Voice sources last night confirmed the tech company – which is overseeing the vote on behalf of the SNP – had the capacity to allow changes in votes with little risk of hacking, but said SNP HQ had insisted Mi-Voice did not offer this tool to their members.
Western Isles MP Mr MacNeil is the latest to raise concerns about the number of people wanting to change their vote.
Ms Regan’s team asked acting chief executive Michael Russell to consider allowing people to switch their allegiances in the wake of revelations about HQ lying over membership figures. Her requests, however, were refused.
Insiders in Ms Regan’s campaign claim members are still contacting the team to say they are anxious to change their vote.
Meanwhile, a source close to Ms Forbes last night said: ‘Two ministers who publicly backed Humza have come to Kate to say they now support her.’
The vote – which has been mired in controversy – will close at noon tomorrow before the new leader is announced in the afternoon.
Nicola Sturgeon will then officially tender her resignation as First Minister of Scotland to the King via a letter – rather than meeting him face to face.
On Tuesday, the new leader will attend the Scottish parliament and a vote will be taken by MSPs over who should be installed as First Minister.
At this point, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross is scheduled to take to the floor in an unlikely bid to usurp the SNP and secure the top job himself.
Then either Ms Forbes, Mr Yousaf or Ms Regan – whoever is appointed SNP leader – will also make their arguments as to why MSPs should elect them First Minister.
On Wednesday morning, the new First Minister will be sworn in by the Court of Session, and from there Cabinet members, special advisers and key staff will be appointed, ready for the new leader’s first statement to the Scottish parliament in their new role on Thursday.
‘A possibility people will be left feeling regret’