Kate Forbes, “wee free” devout Christian, seriously considering SNP leadership bid

Apr 30, 2024 by Jill

One of the contenders to be the First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party is MSP Kate Forbes – a devout Christian and member of the Free Church of Scotland, known as the “wee frees”. The former finance secretary is expected to throw her hat into the ring again after narrowly losing to Humza Yousaf in last year’s leadership contest.

Mr Yousaf resigned as leader saying he had “underestimated” the level of hurt after ending a power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens last week. His decision has triggered a search for a successor and new first minister.

Ms Forbes, a Gaelic speaker, lost suppport in last year’s leadership contest when she expressed opposition to gay marriage and children being born out of wedlock. In The Times’ profile of Ms Forbes, it’s reported that “her views on social issues remain deeply unpopular among many of her MSP colleagues” although she is said to be popular with the public.

Last year in an interview with the Scottish politics magazine and current affairs magazine Holyrood, Ms Forbes said: “I think there’s a complete illiteracy about faith and religion and what it means for someone who believes. I understand Scotland is a secular country, but if some arguments are deemed to be beyond the pale, then you can’t even debate them”.

Although the Daily Telegraph reports that she is “seriously” mulling over putting herself forward, it says the former Deputy First Minister John Swinney is the odds-on favourite to replace Mr Yousaf.

Read also: Why Kate Forbes won’t be the next SNP leader by Andrew Liddle, UnHerd