This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-64702474

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Kate Forbes announces bid to become first minister SNP leadership: Kate Forbes would not have backed gender bill
(about 7 hours later)
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has been on maternity leave Finance Secretary Kate Forbes says she has the vision, experience and competence to inspire voters
Finance secretary Kate Forbes has announced she will run for the SNP leadership following Nicola Sturgeon's resignation last week. Finance Secretary Kate Forbes says she has the vision, experience and competence to inspire voters
Ms Forbes is to cut short her maternity leave to take part in the contest to replace Ms Sturgeon as first minister. SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes has said she would not have voted for the Scottish government's gender reform bill in its current form.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and former minister Ash Regan have already confirmed they will stand. The finance secretary told BBC Scotland she had "significant concerns" about self-identification.
Angus Robertson, the constitution secretary, has ruled himself out of the race to lead the party. She earlier confirmed her bid to take over from Nicola Sturgeon, who last week announced her resignation as party leader and first minister.
He tweeted: "As the father of two very young children the time is not right for me and my family to take on such a huge commitment." Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and ex-minister Ash Regan are also standing.
Ms Forbes - the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch - promised a "competent leadership to deliver independence" at the heart of her pitch. Recent months have seen controversy over the Gender Recognition Bill, which aims to make it easier for people in Scotland to change their legally recognised gender.
Live: Leadership hopeful Yousaf - I'll do things differentlyLive: Leadership hopeful Yousaf - I'll do things differently
Yousaf and Regan launch bids to become SNP leaderYousaf and Regan launch bids to become SNP leader
Who will replace Nicola Sturgeon?Who will replace Nicola Sturgeon?
She said it was time to "unleash the full talent of the SNP, the wider Yes movement and the country at large" as she pledged to stand on a ticket of competent leadership to deliver independence. The legislation was approved by the Scottish Parliament in December.
"The nation and the Yes movement are at a major crossroads," Forbes said: "The choices we make in the next few weeks will have a profound impact on our future and our children's future. But the UK government said it would block the legislation, arguing that it would conflict with equality protections applying across Great Britain.
"I cannot sit back and watch our nation thwarted on the road to self-determination. Our small, independent neighbours enjoy wealthier, fairer, and greener societies - and so can we." Ms Sturgeon described this as a "full-frontal attack" on the Scottish Parliament and said ministers would defend the bill.
She added: "We need somebody who voters can trust, who has integrity and commitment. I am that leader - and I want to lead the party into better days." However, Ms Forbes told the BBC she would be "loath to challenge" the UK government's decision.
The 32-year-old, who was on maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter Naomi in August, is expected to announce plans for her leadership bid over the coming days. The gender reform bill sparked a heated debate
"I understand the principle here, which is that the UK government should not overturn Scottish legislation.
"That is an important principle which I hold to.
"But I think on this... seek legal advice and recognise it is not a priority right now for the people of Scotland, who are focused on other things."
Ms Forbes said she had "significant concerns" about self-identification, and would not have been able to vote for the bill in its current form.
She said there should now be an "adult conversation" with the UK government about how the bill could be amended.
Asked in her BBC interview if someone should simply be able to declare they are a woman if they were born a biological male, she replied: "I don't think self-identification is sufficient."
The SNP is about to see a generational shift. There had been attempts to persuade veteran nationalists like John Swinney and Angus Robertson to stand.The SNP is about to see a generational shift. There had been attempts to persuade veteran nationalists like John Swinney and Angus Robertson to stand.
Both have ruled themselves out. The three candidates who are running are from a different era; when the SNP were in power at Holyrood and independence was a central debate in Scottish life. Both have ruled themselves out. The three candidates who are running are from a different era - when the SNP were in power at Holyrood and independence was a central debate in Scottish life.
That doesn't mean there isn't experience among them; Humza Yousaf has been a minister for years, Kate Forbes holds one of the key jobs in the Scottish cabinet. That doesn't mean there isn't experience among them. Humza Yousaf has been a minister for years, Kate Forbes holds one of the key jobs in the Scottish cabinet.
But as one senior SNP figure put it to me: "It's a shift in the SNP. It moves on to a new cast list"But as one senior SNP figure put it to me: "It's a shift in the SNP. It moves on to a new cast list"
Business Minister Ivan McKee said he would back the "hugely talented" Ms Forbes. Ms Forbes, who was on maternity leave when the vote took place in parliament, said people she has spoken to wanted to focus on the NHS, the cost of living crisis and making the case for independence.
He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "I think Kate is a hugely talented individual, I've had the pleasure of working with her over the past seven years and seen first-hand what she is able to deliver, her focus on the things that are important to Scotland and her ability to engage with people on a very real and authentic level and persuade them of her case. In her interview with the BBC, Ms Forbes said the SNP needed "a reset" over its strategy for independence, which she said has been "largely determined by a few people".
"And I think those talents, to be able to deliver excellent public services, a strong economy, a green economy for Scotland and to be able to persuade people of the case for the SNP and for independence, are exactly the assets we need in a leader." She also said she has the "vision, the experience and the competence" to inspire voters within the party and across the country.
Ms Forbes has been seen as a potential successor to Nicola Sturgeon, having been thrust into the limelight by having to step in and deliver the Scottish budget in 2020 after her predecessor Derek Mackay resigned in disgrace. Ms Forbes - the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch - previously said that Scotland and the Yes movement were at "a major crossroads".
But some critics have said the Free Church of Scotland member could be at odds with the wider party on some social issues, including the gender reforms blocked by the UK government. "I cannot sit back and watch our nation thwarted on the road to self-determination. Our small, independent neighbours enjoy wealthier, fairer, and greener societies - and so can we," she said.
Leadership rival Ms Regan said she was "utterly appalled" by attacks on her "great friend" because of her faith. Ash Regan has confirmed her intention to stand in the contest
Leadership candidate Ash Regan has been an outspoken critic of the gender reform legislation, quitting her role as community safety minister in protest before it was approved by Holyrood.
However, Humza Yousaf promised to stand by the legislation and challenge the UK government's order blocking the bill.
He said: "There's the principle of the Section 35 order, which I think we have to defend the Scottish Parliament against.
"But on the issue more broadly, I'd be keen to work with those who have got real concerns.
"Let's engage with them. Let's try to bring them around the table. Let's not let this issue define us as a movement."
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has launched his leadership campaign
Speaking at the launch of his leadership campaign in Clydebank on Monday, Mr Yousaf said he would focus on the policies of independence, not the process.
He added that he was "not wedded" to the idea of a de facto referendum.
Earlier, Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson ruled himself out of the leadership race.
He said: "As the father of two very young children the time is not right for me and my family to take on such a huge commitment."
Candidates have until Friday to secure 100 nominations from at least 20 local branches to secure their place on the ballot. The winner is due to be announced on 27 March.Candidates have until Friday to secure 100 nominations from at least 20 local branches to secure their place on the ballot. The winner is due to be announced on 27 March.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Nicola SturgeonNicola Sturgeon
Kate ForbesKate Forbes
SNP (Scottish National Party)SNP (Scottish National Party)
Humza YousafHumza Yousaf