SCOTTISH Labour have claimed that Kate Forbes standing down at the election is a sign that “the writing is on the wall” for the SNP.
The Deputy First Minister announced on Monday that she wouldn’t be seeking re-election to Holyrood in order to spend more time with her young family.
However, Jackie Baillie used the news to take a shot at the SNP – claiming that it signals “former rising stars are abandoning the stage”.
Elsewhere, the Scottish LibDems made a swift pitch to voters, as Forbes's Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch seat is a “top target” for the party in 2026.
Responding to Forbes’ announcement, Baillie thanked her for her service.
“Of course, as much as being an MSP is a privilege, it is also a demanding job which can make for a difficult balance between our working and personal lives,” she said.
“In that spirit, I wish Kate all the very best in her future endeavours and hope that she can enjoy spending time with her family.
“But it cannot have escaped the notice of voters that many of the SNP's former rising stars are abandoning the stage, often to be replaced by defeated names of yesteryears and anonymous party apparatchiks.
"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.”
Baillie then accused First Minister John Swinney of hitting the “panic independence button” and urged voters to back Scottish Labour at the Holyrood election.
Scottish LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said: “Kate and I were both elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2016 and there have been several occasions when we’ve worked well together on shared interests since. I wish her family well for everything that comes next.
“This is a top target seat for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, having won the equivalent seat at Westminster last year.
“We’re campaigning hard to fix the care crisis, to cut your energy bills, and for better local healthcare having recently secured the replacement for the Belford Hospital in the Scottish Budget.”
Cole-Hamilton claimed candidate Andrew Baxter is “best placed to beat the SNP”.
Scottish Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher added: “Despite our political differences, I completely understand and appreciate Kate Forbes reasons for standing down. I wish her and her family well for the future.
“However, the departure of his Deputy First Minister will come as a hammer blow to John Swinney ahead of next year’s election. He made the choice to bring her back into the heart of the government last year and would have wanted her to play a key role in the campaign.
“If Scotland is to move on from the SNP’s never-ending obsession with independence, then we must remove them from office next year and get the focus back on Scotland’s real priorities.”
Meanwhile, the Scottish Greens said Forbes’s announcement highlighted that work needs to be done to make the Scottish Parliament “more accessible to parents and people with caring commitments”.
"All parties need to work together to build a political culture and a democracy where having young children is not a barrier to standing for election and where no MSP feels forced to make a choice between their family and their job,” a spokesperson said.
“We wish Kate Forbes well in what she chooses to do next. "
MSPs and politicians also weighed in on the announcement on social media.
Scottish Tories MSP Liz Smith wrote: “So very sorry to read this. The Scottish Parliament needs the [[Kate Forbes]] of this world.”
Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon added: “Couldn’t have been an easy decision for the Deputy First Minister. I wish Kate and her family all the best.
“Politically, it reinforces the public view of an SNP government running out of steam. Lots of changed needed.”
And, Alba party leader Kenny MacAskill said: “A big loss to the Scottish Government. She was both hugely capable and much respected by business in particular.
"Her commitment and willingness to stand by her personal beliefs is also to be respected."
SNP members and politicians have expressed shock at the news that Forbes is set to stand down, though one of her closest allies, Michelle Thomson MSP, said it was "no surprise".
