THE ballot of SNP members to vote on the next party leader will get under way tomorrow, with the result to be announced on March 27.
After two weeks of hustings, TV debates and announcements, here we take a look at what SNP members and the wider Yes movement think of the contest so far – and who they will be supporting.
Stewart Dickson, 75, from the Scottish Borders, is an SNP member who has attended hustings online and in person, as well as watching the TV debates.
“THERE’S a wealth of talent within the SNP, but I am in favour of Kate Forbes.
“I understand the position of Ash Regan and I think she is doing quite well in a way. But the battleground is basically between Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes.
“Before Kate Forbes announced she was standing, I hoped she would stand as my assessment would be I thought she was probably the better person.
“Effectively, she is only addressing the 100,000 SNP members who can vote, but that is not really the case – she is also marketing herself to the wider public to be talked about so that people feel confident. I think that is part of where I think she exudes leadership.
“There’s all sorts of variation of opinions and people still trying to be convinced, but I think there is a general feeling that Kate Forbes is sounding impressive from the general chit chat.
“I am a bit disappointed by Mhairi Black making stupid statements it will split the party – but she is basically coming from an anti-Kate Forbes agenda and it is not an objective opinion.
“I don’t think it will, I think we are going to have a healthy discussion.
“The economy has to be a major part of the forward strategy – the battleground is this final 20% of people who are undecided about independence – and we need to prove to them that Scotland is capable of running a better show than being in the UK. In the sense that Kate Forbes exudes leadership, I can see her very much as Nicola mark two.”
Maya Hay, 26, from Aberdeen, a member of SNP youth wing Young Scots for Independence (YSI), has attended hustings in person and watched TV debates.
“TO me, Ash Regan came across much better in person than through the media channels, I really like her passion and take on citizen’s assemblies and things like that for independence. Her strength is her vision for independence.
“Kate Forbes is economically very talented and that is suitable for the political climate just now – I think that is appealing outwith the party for the cost of living crisis.
“I thought Humza is very authentic and I am swinging towards him. I feel Kate has perhaps been a bit naïve with the media – although that is not discrediting her as a person at all and that is part of the journey.
“I feel like Humza has strengths and I would like them all to work together, it would be really nice.
“I think it is good that the hustings have been open, just to give people an insight into what it’s like to be a member.
“In Nicola’s resignation, she said she is a human being – and so are the candidates, they have really demonstrated that.
“Within the youth groups, among people who have declared who they are voting for Humza is popular. I think people are a bit wary of being positive of Kate because of the backlash, but she definitely does have strengths.
“I think Ash does have a chance, when people meet her she talks very well – she has a chance, but I do think the other two are more popular.”
Calum Cooper, 21, a YSI member from Falkirk, has attended hustings in person and watched online, as well as the TV debates.
“HUMZA is the candidate I am supporting – he is a very good and capable person, he is very experienced, he absolutely deserves the position.
“Recently, it has been quite disappointing to see Ash open up with the idea the SNP have lost their way – we have absolutely not lost our way, we had our best result ever in the local elections, and we have won election after election after election for the past 15 years.
“It just seems a really bizarre attack on her own government which she was a part of until recently, and the same for Kate Forbes having a go at Humza Yousaf for being Health Secretary.
“She could throw more money at the NHS if she wanted to, or she could save more money if she wanted to. So I think it is really dishonest and disappointing and I don’t see how she can lead a party that she herself doesn’t seem to like very much.
“In terms of independence, I think some of the suggestions Ash in particular have been coming out with are just ludicrous. We can’t just declare ourselves independent and that is that.
“I agree with everything that Humza has said so far with two exceptions – scrapping the consultation on the ban on alcohol advertising. The other thing I don’t agree with he said he would stand behind whichever candidate gets elected.
“I personally couldn’t in any good faith go canvassing and say to a gay constituent ‘vote for a leader who doesn’t believe you shouldn’t have equal rights’.
“Equality for me is a red line. Everyone should be allowed to live equally – if we go around taking rights from gay people or trans people, if their rights can be taken away, then so can yours.
“Any candidate that doesn’t support equality for everyone is not worth considering, in my view.
“If Humza loses, on day one, I wouldn’t leave the party but it’s a very strong possibility.”
SNP member Cecelia Clegg, 69, from Peebles, has been keeping up to date by reading about the contest and watching TV debates.
“I WAS disappointed with the field of candidates – there is a distinct lack of experience in the field and I’m wondering why.
“I am in a same-sex marriage and we had been following Kate’s career and we did nominate her – and then after we had heard what had been set, we unnominated her.
“Then I went back and actually listened to what Kate said – rather than what the media said that Kate said – and realised that she was promising to defend rights. Then it became an issue of do we believe her?
“The answer is yes I do believe her. So we went back and nominated her again.
“Ash Regan keeps talking about having election after election on independence or having big meetings about independence. That having election after election isn’t going to work, as I know from being out on the streets people are tired, they want independence done – and I reckon we probably only have one more shot at it.
“I now am very clearly going to vote for Kate. I like Humza Yousaf and he has quite a lot of good things to say – but I don’t get a sense of a coherent vision or plan from him beyond more of the same.
“I am actually still open to being persuaded, but the fact he has nailed his colours to mast as being the continuity candidate – I hugely respect Nicola and I was a supporter of hers, but I think she ran out of steam and they were beginning to run out of ideas.
“I think Kate is right – we do need a change. She clearly has a mission, which she described last night as to eradicate poverty. She is interested in the day job of first minister, in governing the country and that excites me.”
William Duguid, 62, from Bridge of Earn, Perthshire, is part of the wider Yes movement and on the board of Yes Perth & Kinross hub.
“I THINK it’s fairly clearly that, certainly in terms of parliamentarians and the party establishment, they seem to be firmly behind Humza Yousaf.
“Kate Forbes had a pretty dreadful start as she ran straight into trouble about the comments she made, I think they still in some ways work against her in the end – maybe not in the contest but later. In the campaign, I think she has recovered fairly well.
“Ash Regan is the wildcard, she was slow to start and possibly that was a smart idea as it gave her a chance to see how things were shaping up and possibly allow the others to make mistakes.
“My impression is Humza will be top on first preference [votes], but there is a fair chance Kate will catch him on second preferences and overtake him.
“It’s clearly of great interest what happens next – particularly if Kate Forbes gets in. What that means in terms of support within her own party and the coalition – that obviously is pretty critical and will start to impact quite strongly on the question of independence.
“As far as the vision for independence goes, it seems to me Ash Regan has got the closest to the Yes movement in terms of what they would like to see – she is articulating that.
“I think there is considerable doubt about what the other two will really mean for independence.
“What is important is that whoever gets in starts speaking not only to the membership of the SNP but also with the wider Yes movement.”
Steven Campbell, 25 from Dalkeith, Midlothian, is also a member of YSI and has watched TV debates and the hustings.
“FROM the get-go, I am surprised that more people didn’t stand. I was expecting there to be a bit of a rammy for the top spot.
“It has been interesting, we have seen that each of the candidates have said some quite positive things about them and some things which aren’t quite so positive.
“I don’t just want someone who supports independence, as that is kind of the point why we are all in the party, I would like to think. They have all made it pretty clear where they stand on that.
“I am looking for someone who embodies what an independent Scotland would be like.
“Kate said it herself: Independence is a means to an end, so that is what I am looking for – someone who will carry us to the fairer Scotland I want to see.
“I’ll be backing Humza – these values of progressiveness and wanting a fairer and more equal country, to me, he just embodies that a lot more than the other two candidates.
“That is not to talk down the other two candidates, I think they have got some good qualities too. But for me, Humza pips it on that point.
“I saw during the debate he held himself well – he was coming under some quite personal attacks and criticism and given the way the opposition and media treat the SNP I think that is something that is quite valuable.
“I don’t intend on leaving the party if the person I don’t support gets the leadership – but I can understand why some people might.
“I think talk of some sort of massive split or catastrophe are maybe a bit overblown.”
