THE race to replace Nicola Sturgeon as leader of the SNP will last less than six weeks, the party has announced, as it postponed plans for a special independence conference.
After a meeting of the party’s national executive committee those eying the top job have until Friday, February 24 to submit their nomination, with the vote open between March 13 and 27.
Here are a list of confirmed candidates.
Confirmed
Humza Yousaf
The 37-year old current Health Secretary has been an MSP since 2011.
Yousaf confirmed his intention to run on Saturday night.
A huge decision to make, but with the support & love of my family, I have decided to put myself forward as a candidate to become Scotland's next First Minister, and Leader of the SNP. See my video below for some of the reasons why I believe I am the right person for the job 👇 pic.twitter.com/aDbVUe568E
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 18, 2023
On Thursday, the Daily Record reported that Yousaf was expected to announce his bid.
The paper quoted a source which said Yousaf had “a lot of support from MPs and MSPs” and labelled him a “unifying force” who had experience having been in government for a decade.
“Just as he has managed to get health unions round the table, he would bring the party together,” the source told the paper.
Ash Regan
Last year, Regan resigned as community safety minister over the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, and has now revealed her intention to enter the leadership race.
The Edinburgh Eastern MSP confirmed her bid on Saturday night and lays out her campaign also in the Sunday Mail, making gender reform one of the top topics of debate.
She is seen as among the more divisive potential candidates, calling for rule changes to allow members who resigned their membership of SNP to vote.
Kate Forbes
Although currently on maternity leave, the 32-year-old Finance Secretary is popular with the public.
She took over the key government role in 2020 following Derek Mackay's resignation.
A recent poll by The Sunday Times, which found that 4 in 10 voters felt Nicola Sturgeon should step down immediately, also saw Forbes come out as the favourite to replace her as First Minister - after "don't know", which was by far the most popular option.
She confirmed she is running on Monday, with a video on social media setting out her platform.
I am today launching my bid to become Scotland's next First Minister, with the vision, experience and competence to inspire voters across Scotland. #Forbes4FM pic.twitter.com/1AG4Nyfma6
— Kate Forbes MSP (@_KateForbes) February 20, 2023
Not running
Angus Robertson
First elected to the House of Commons as an MP in 2001, Robertson spent nearly a decade as the SNP's leader at Westminster from 2007 until losing his seat at the 2017 General Election.
He is the current Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Secretary and MSP for Edinburgh Central was the bookies' favourite for the job before announcing he would not run.
Mairi McAllan
The MSP for Clydesdale is new at Holyrood, with the 30-year-old first being elected in 2021.
She stepped into a government role immediately as environment minister, and has already been responsible for guiding foxhunting legislation through parliament.
A former solicitor, she served as a special advisor to Nicola Sturgeon before winning a seat of her own but some are questioning whether it is too early in her career to move into the very top job.
With the sincerest admiration for @NicolaSturgeon and with thanks to every single person who encouraged me to run and seek to follow in her footsteps, please see my statement on @theSNP leadership contest. pic.twitter.com/sfrDBBqAY4
— Màiri McAllan (@MairiMcAllan) February 19, 2023
McAllan ruled herself out of the race on Sunday, saying that "now is not the time".
The politician said she would continue to promote the voices of women and young people as an MSP.
Neil Gray
Gray is also new to Holyrood after giving up his seat in Westminster to run in a by-election for a seat in Holyrood, with some pointing to this as evidence of his aspirations for career progression.
He is currently Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and he previously spearheaded the Ukrainian refugee program.
However, some have tipped him as a potential running mate for a more experienced leadership candidate.
Keith Brown
The 61-year-old, who represents the Clackmannanshire and Dunblane constituency, is depute leader of the SNP, having served in this role for almost five years.
Brown has held five ministerial roles since becoming an MSP in 2007, and is currently justice secretary as well as veterans minister having served in the Falklands.
