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Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Kate Forbes quitting means Stephen Flynn leading SNP ‘more likely'
Polling expert Sir John Curtice has had his say on the latest developments within the SNP Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KATE Forbes' departure from Holyrood sets the stage for Stephen Flynn to become the next leader of the SNP, the UK's top elections guru has said. And her decision to quit could see the Nats avoid another 'heavily divisive' leadership contest, Sir John Curtice said. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 2 Kate Forbes 2 Stephen Flynn Asked what the impact of the deputy first minister leaving Holyrood was for the SNP, he told The Scottish Sun: 'It increases the probability that Stephen Flynn is the next leader of the SNP. 'What could have been another quite heavily divisive party contest - and the one between Yousaf and Forbes certainly didn't do the SNP any good with the wider public - that prospect has now disappeared. 'There could actually be a relatively smooth succession. I'm not quite sure that's what's going to happen but that is one possible way of playing this out.' Nats Westminster chief Mr Flynn is set to give up his seat as an MP to run for Holyrood in 2026, with Nats insiders expecting a leadership challenge within the next five years. Find out what's really going on Register now for our free weekly politics newsletter for an insightful and irreverent look at the (sometimes excruciating) world of Scottish Politics. Every Thursday our hotshot politics team goes behind the headlines to bring you a rundown of key events - plus insights and gossip from the corridors of power, including a 'Plonker' and 'Star' of the Week. Sign up now and make sure you don't miss a beat. The politicians would hate that. SIGN UP FOR FREE NOW John Swinney has insisted he plans on staying on as SNP leader and First Minister until beyond 2031 - despite rumours he was set to stand down next May before becoming party chief. Mr Flynn's most likely opponent in any contest is rumoured to be housing secretary Mairi McAllan, an arch-Sturgeonite and career politician backed by Mr Swinney and the party establishment. But some question whether she is ready for a tilt at the leadership. Sir John added: 'She is very much a work in progress.' Kate Forbes picks her biggest scandal of the SNP's time in power The speculation about a future contest comes after Ms Forbes shocked the Scottish political world on Monday by announcing she would step down as an MSP at May's Holyrood election. She was tipped to replace Mr Swinney as SNP chief after narrowly losing out to Humza Yousaf in the 2023 leadership race and doing a backroom deal agreeing to support Mr Swinney last year. Ms Forbes hinted this week she could make a return to frontline politics in 20 years after citing missing time with her young daughter as her main reason for standing aside. But Sir John said her departure was a sign the SNP is struggling to attract and keep talented politicians - and said the current crop were not close to the quality brought into Holyrood by Alex Salmond almost 20 years ago. He said: 'In 2007 there had been gathered into the fold of the SNP an unusually talented group of politicians. Salmond, Sturgeon, MacAskill, Mike Russell, etc. They were all very good. 'The SNP have clearly found it difficult to bring into the party a similarly talented group of individuals. Forbes was clearly standing out, Flynn clearly stands out. 'Beyond Swinney himself and arguably Forbes, there's nobody else there as yet who's really made a name for themselves. 'And Forbes going to that extent, at least, underlines the fact that the SNP doesn't have the luxury of as many highly talented individuals as it did have 20 years ago.'
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Anas Sarwar at the Fringe: toothbrushes, socks and Barbie?
Who would you rather be stuck on a desert island with — Nicola Sturgeon or John Swinney? "John Swinney. Listen, Nicola Sturgeon and I have done local politics together for almost 20 years. I think we've spent enough time in the south side of Glasgow together. Let's not do that again." Manual or electric toothbrush? "Manual. Never used an electric toothbrush." Who's the better dancer — you or Alex Cole-Hamilton? "Definitely me." He thinks he's good, doesn't he? "He thinks he's brilliant at everything." (Image: Gordon Terris/NQ) Biggest celebrity crush? "Oh, this got me into trouble actually. How do you answer that without sounding like a creep? That's the challenge. My goodness. Um... I'll say Margot Robbie was my biggest celebrity crush." Barbie? "Less Barbie, more… I'm not going there." Biggest crush at Holyrood? "Oh my goodness… Neil Bibby." Biggest fashion disaster? "Honestly, when I look at pictures from when I first became an MP, it looks like I'm wearing a suit jacket that's four sizes too big. Like I'm wearing my dad's suit — utterly ridiculous. And we used to wear really thick ties — the ties were this thick." Any others? "Oh, also — I did a Fringe show last year where I wore chinos and a pair of trainers — no socks. And I got absolutely slated for not wearing socks. That's not that bad though, is it?" [Audience stays silent.]
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
I push Keir Starmer to be more extroverted in Scotland
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said he pushes Sir Keir Starmer to be more 'extroverted' when he comes to Scotland. Mr Sarwar said he speaks to the Prime Minister every two or three weeks, often calling at weekends when they both have more free time. The Scottish Labour leader also said he will not engage in any 'back room stitch-ups' with other parties if he becomes first minister following the Scottish election next year. At an Edinburgh Fringe event in front of a live audience, Mr Sarwar was interviewed by Catherine Salmond, editor of The Herald. He was pressed on his relationship with the UK Labour leader and whether Sir Keir was comfortable coming north of the border. He said: 'We're different personalities… I am much more probably conversational, out there, a bit of an extrovert. 'I think it's safe to say he's a bit more introverted in that sense.' Mr Sarwar said Sir Keir had become more relaxed and confident in the five years since becoming Labour leader. He said Sir Keir was more relaxed in Scotland than in other parts of the UK, adding: 'I think we've built up a rapport, probably because I am pushing to be a bit more of extroverted than perhaps he is in other parts.' He said he spoke to the Prime Minister around 'two or three times a month'. However he said the early part of Labour's response to the war in Gaza had been 'challenging' for his party, referring to an interview the Prime Minister gave where he said Israel had the 'right' to withhold power and water from Gaza in response to the October 7 attacks. 'I think the early part was challenging, he himself accepts that what he said in the LBC interview wasn't right,' Mr Sarwar said. Discussing the Middle East further, he said: 'I think we have to be doing much more to hold the Israeli government to account. 'To provide evidence that there is not any components that are being used in a proactive way in Gaza.' Looking ahead to the 2026 Scottish election, Mr Sarwar said he was putting his 'heart, soul energy, time' into winning. He said it would be a 'very close election' likely to result in a 'parliament of minorities'. Rather than doing deals such as the SNP-Green powersharing agreement, he said he would 'work progressively with the parliament' if he became first minister. He said: 'We are looking to form a minority Scottish Labour government that does no kind of back room stich-up but instead moves to govern based on what we promised.'
