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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Kate Forbes: Deputy first minister to stand down as MSP | Kate Forbes: Deputy first minister to stand down as MSP |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Kate Forbes says she remains "wholly supportive" of the first minister | Kate Forbes says she remains "wholly supportive" of the first minister |
| Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes will stand down at next year's Holyrood election. | Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes will stand down at next year's Holyrood election. |
| The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP, whose daughter turned three this month, said she did not want to "seek re-election and miss any more of the precious early years of family life". | The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP, whose daughter turned three this month, said she did not want to "seek re-election and miss any more of the precious early years of family life". |
| She will continue as an MSP for another nine months, with the Holyrood election scheduled for May 2026. | She will continue as an MSP for another nine months, with the Holyrood election scheduled for May 2026. |
| First Minister John Swinney said Forbes had made an "invaluable contribution to public life" over the past 10 years. | First Minister John Swinney said Forbes had made an "invaluable contribution to public life" over the past 10 years. |
| First elected in 2016, Forbes enjoyed a rapid rise to become Scotland's first female finance secretary in 2020. | First elected in 2016, Forbes enjoyed a rapid rise to become Scotland's first female finance secretary in 2020. |
| She was narrowly defeated in the 2023 SNP leadership contest by Humza Yousaf, returning to government as Swinney's deputy last year. | She was narrowly defeated in the 2023 SNP leadership contest by Humza Yousaf, returning to government as Swinney's deputy last year. |
| 'Total dedication' | 'Total dedication' |
| In a letter to the first minister, Forbes said: "I am in no doubt about the scale of my duties as a local representative, an activist and campaigner, and a government minister. | In a letter to the first minister, Forbes said: "I am in no doubt about the scale of my duties as a local representative, an activist and campaigner, and a government minister. |
| "Quite rightly this job entails long days far from home, constant attention and total dedication." | "Quite rightly this job entails long days far from home, constant attention and total dedication." |
| "As I consider the upcoming election and the prospects of another term, I have concluded that I do not wish to seek re-election and miss any more of the precious early years of family life." | "As I consider the upcoming election and the prospects of another term, I have concluded that I do not wish to seek re-election and miss any more of the precious early years of family life." |
| She said she remained "wholly supportive" of Swinney and would continue to serve her constituents "with diligence". | She said she remained "wholly supportive" of Swinney and would continue to serve her constituents "with diligence". |
| The deputy first minister added: "I look forward to campaigning for the SNP at the next election, to return you as first minister for another term and lead Scotland to independence." | The deputy first minister added: "I look forward to campaigning for the SNP at the next election, to return you as first minister for another term and lead Scotland to independence." |
| Kate Forbes has served as John Swinney's deputy since May 2024 | Kate Forbes has served as John Swinney's deputy since May 2024 |
| Responding on social media, Swinney paid tribute to Forbes. | Responding on social media, Swinney paid tribute to Forbes. |
| He posted: "The challenges of frontline politics are considerable, and I understand the decision she has made although I wish it was not the case. | He posted: "The challenges of frontline politics are considerable, and I understand the decision she has made although I wish it was not the case. |
| "I am pleased that Kate will continue to serve in my government and to make a significant contribution to the work of the Scottish National Party. | "I am pleased that Kate will continue to serve in my government and to make a significant contribution to the work of the Scottish National Party. |
| "I wish her and her family well and for every happiness for the future." | "I wish her and her family well and for every happiness for the future." |
| Forbes narrowly lost out to Yousaf in the 2023 SNP leadership contest, having been criticised for her views on gay marriage, abortion and trans rights during the campaign. | Forbes narrowly lost out to Yousaf in the 2023 SNP leadership contest, having been criticised for her views on gay marriage, abortion and trans rights during the campaign. |
| She returned to the backbenches but did not stay there for long. | She returned to the backbenches but did not stay there for long. |
| After considering another leadership bid in 2024, she agreed to back Swinney and was rewarded with a role as his deputy. | After considering another leadership bid in 2024, she agreed to back Swinney and was rewarded with a role as his deputy. |
| Her brief also includes responsibilities for the economy and Gaelic. | Her brief also includes responsibilities for the economy and Gaelic. |
| "I just want to do a good job raising my family". | "I just want to do a good job raising my family". |
| That's how Kate Forbes summed up her decision to leave frontline politics in exchanges with me this morning. | That's how Kate Forbes summed up her decision to leave frontline politics in exchanges with me this morning. |
| At the moment she has a four-hour drive from home to Holyrood at the start of each week and the same again going back. | At the moment she has a four-hour drive from home to Holyrood at the start of each week and the same again going back. |
| The deputy first minister does not believe that lifestyle is compatible with bringing up her daughter who has just turned three. | The deputy first minister does not believe that lifestyle is compatible with bringing up her daughter who has just turned three. |
| Holyrood was set up to be a "family friendly" parliament but its hours of business and childcare arrangements do not make it so, except perhaps for those MSPs living in and around Edinburgh. | Holyrood was set up to be a "family friendly" parliament but its hours of business and childcare arrangements do not make it so, except perhaps for those MSPs living in and around Edinburgh. |
| Whether you agree with her or not, Kate Forbes is one of the brightest talents in the Scottish Parliament and her departure will leave our politics much poorer. | Whether you agree with her or not, Kate Forbes is one of the brightest talents in the Scottish Parliament and her departure will leave our politics much poorer. |
| More than 20 SNP MSPs have announced they will not seek re-election next year. | |
| Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie MSP said: "I wish Kate all the very best in her future endeavours and hope that she can enjoy spending time with her family." | |
| She added: "Kate Forbes was the future once - but now, like many of her counterparts in the SNP, she can see the writing on the wall. The truth is this is a tired government with no vision and no ideas." |