Displaying items by tag: Kate Forbes

Scotland’s deputy first minister Kate Forbes has announced she will step down from politics at the 2026 Holyrood elections to prioritise family life. In a letter to first minister John Swinney, Forbes - who has represented Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch since 2016 - expressed deep gratitude for her time in office, but said she didn’t wish to miss more of her daughter’s early years. A committed Christian, Forbes has often drawn attention for her faith-based positions, including her public opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. These views sparked controversy during her 2023 SNP leadership bid, which she lost to Humza Yousaf. When Yousaf resigned in 2024, she declined to stand again and supported Swinney. Despite political challenges, Forbes has been a vocal advocate for Christian engagement in public life. Speaking to the Evangelical Alliance, she urged believers to step into political service, citing the positive impact of Christian values across Scottish communities.

John Swinney, newly sworn in as First Minister of Scotland, has appointed Kate Forbes as Deputy First Minister, sparking criticism for creating a "continuity Cabinet." Forbes, previously Finance Secretary, replaces Shona Robison and will also oversee the economy and Gaelic. Critics label the Cabinet reshuffle as uninspired, fearing it prioritises party interests and independence over pressing national issues. Despite maintaining many previous Cabinet members, Swinney asserts the mix of experience and energy will focus on eradicating child poverty, economic growth, and meeting climate commitments. Scottish Greens and other opposition parties express concerns about Forbes's conservative views potentially affecting government direction, particularly in social equality and climate action. Scottish Conservative and Labour leaders criticise the leadership's consistency, foreseeing continued national challenges. Forbes expresses honour in her new role, committed to improving Scotland alongside her colleagues.

Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes are leading candidates to be the next first minister. Kate Forbes said she would not have backed the Scottish government's bill to make it easier to change gender legally. At the heart of her identity is membership of the socially conservative Free Church of Scotland. As a Christian she believes marriage to be between a man and a woman, but she insists she would defend the law as ‘a servant of democracy.’ Mr Yousaf describes himself as a proud Muslim who will be fasting during Ramadan, which falls in the final week of the leadership campaign. He said that he does not legislate on the basis of his faith, and he has a track record of supporting gender reform, gay marriage, and buffer zones around abortion clinics. Ms Forbes also does not legislate on the basis of her faith, favouring votes of conscience. See also