Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Holly Lennon

New SNP leader and Scottish First Minister to be named later today

The next leader of the SNP is set to be chosen following a five-week contest.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, and former community safety minister Ash Regan have taken part in around 16 hustings as they competed to replace Nicola Sturgeon.

The First Minister announced in February that she would resign after more than eight years in the job once her successor has been chosen.

Read more: Murder investigation launched after man found dead following flat fire in Renton

SNP members have until midday to vote for their new leader - and Scotland's next first minister, subject to Holyrood approval.

The fate of the three candidates is set to be revealed at around 2pm on Monday at the BT Murrayfield stadium in Edinburgh.

A vote in Holyrood will follow on Tuesday to select the next first minister.

It has not been a smooth leadership contest for the party, with acrimonious clashes between candidates and the dramatic resignation of chief executive Peter Murrell following controversy over the transparency of SNP membership numbers.

Frontrunners Mr Yousaf, 37, and Ms Forbes, 32, have particularly clashed over their record in government and their social views.

Polls put the candidates almost neck and neck, with Mr Yousaf favourite among SNP voters, according to an Ipsos Scotland survey of 1,023 Scots, with a net favourability of 11%, compared with 6% for his rival, Ms Forbes.

But the Finance Secretary is viewed more favourably by the general public, with a net popularity rating of minus 8%, compared with the Health Secretary's minus 20%.

Ms Regan - widely considered an outsider for the job - had a net favourability of minus 24% among the general public, and minus 7% with SNP voters.

READ NEXT -

Murder investigation launched after man found dead following flat fire in Renton

Emirates A380 plane lands at Glasgow Airport for first time since 2019

Medieval tombstone found in Govan graveyard 'in peak condition' after historical find

Hillwalker rushed to Glasgow hospital by helicopter after suffering 'serious injuries' on mountain

Renfrewshire mum and daughter go on five holidays 'to make memories' after cancer diagnosis

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.