SNP leadership bid by Highland MSP Kate Forbes' reveals a week really is a long time in politics – and on Twitter
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DEBATE over the SNP leadership race continues to fuel Twitter with Highland based MSP Kate Forbes one of three standing to become the next First Minister.
It seems a long time since Monday when the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP, who lives in the Dingwall area, launched her campaign to become the next First Minister following Nicola Sturgeon's decision to stand down.
Since then, debate has raged over her stance on gay marriage – despite her bid to clarify in details her views and how they relate to those she would represent.
Tain and Easter Highland SNP councillor Derek Louden tweeted: "I'm clearly a little odd.
"I'm happy in a party having a large number of Christians and a large number of LGBTQ+ people. All of us seem to want the world to be a better place. I hope all of us stay. Can we focus on people starving and freezing in Week 2? Join me and stay in the SNP."
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Maree Todd – with whom Ms Forbes has shared a constituency office in Dingwall – has backed Humza Yousaf as next party leader, shared an endorsement from actor Alan Cumming – who coincidentally has recently featured as host of the American version of the hit reality TV show, The Traitors, set at Ardross Castle.
Tweeting coverage from The National, she posted: "Hollywood backs Holyrood star!"
She has also shared a lengthy thread from high-profile SNP MSP Mhairi Black who has written of being "incredibly hurt" by statements from Ms Forbes about her stance on gay marriage and abortion – clarified in detail in an interview with Highland News and Media this week.
She rewteeted Ms Black's thread with the comment: "I’m so sorry you’ve been hurt Mhairi - much love to you."
Ms Forbes has also used Twitter to communicate directly with constituents and party members over what has become a heated debate.
She stated: "I've represented my constituents for 6 years. In full knowledge of my faith, voters re-elected me with one of the biggest majorities in Scotland in 2021. That demonstrates that voters were comfortable knowing that I would serve them faithfully and without prejudice."
Earlier, in what has truly been a very long week in politics, Highland MP Drew Hendry dramatically reversed his earlier backing of Kate Forbes.
While stating his belief that she is a "compassionate, effective, and fair constituency MSP" he went on to state on Twitter that "my focus now is on ensuring we can bring people across communities, of all faiths - and none - back to a position of love, understanding, and, above all, respect. To that end, sadly, I cannot continue to back Kate’s leadership bid."
Another SNP MSP, Christine Grahame who represents Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, entered the debate by saying that while she hadn't yet decided who to back in the leadership campaign, she believed Kate Forbes has been subjected to a "witch hunt".
Inverness South councillor Ken Gowans backed Ms Forbes on Twitter saying she "makes her views crystal clear - cutting though the deliberate misinterpretation of her stance on gay marriage and abortion", adding: "I am happy to support her. Kate is honest, straightforward and courageous – just what we need."
He also retweeted media coverage elsewhere stating that Ms Forbes is "the one the unionist establishment fears the most".
Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh SNP councillor Liz Kraft used Twitter today to back Humza Yousaf stating he has "held three challenging cabinet positions and thanks to his tireless work and negotiations we have no NHS Strikes in Scotland".
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Kate Forbes, Ash Regan and Humza Yousaf had all met the threshold for nominations by the deadline this week.
The ballot of SNP members, which will use a single transferrable vote system, opens on March 13 and the winner will be announced on March 27.
Candidates had been required to get 100 nominations from at least 20 local party branches.
