Nicola Sturgeon today acknowledged that there will be a wide array of candidates in the race to succeed her. Her departure leaves no obvious protégé or successor as Salmond’s own departure did with her back in 2014.
When Sturgeon stood for the leadership, no one opposed her. It was a done deal.
This time, nobody can predict who might take the nationalist crown north or the border, and become the SNP’s third First Minister.
This morning Sturgeon said she was looking forward to over the next few weeks seeing the array of talent in the SNP.
Most of that talent, however is relatively unknown to the Scottish and British population.
The runners and riders include:
John Swinney MSP
Deputy First Minister of Scotland. Swinney has led the SNP before serving as leader from 2000-2004. He is regarded as a party stalwart and safe pair of hands, if a little boring.
At the age of just 22, he became National Secretary of the SNP – lasting in the role from 1986 to 1992.
He was Finance Secretary in the Salmond Ministry and Education Secretary under Sturgeon. Swinney is perhaps the closest to Sturgeon of those in the running for the role.
John Swinney MSP has faced two votes of no confidence in the Scottish Parliament
Jane Barlow
His lack of charisma and poor European election results were among the reasons for an abrupt resignation as party leader in 2004.
Scottish Parliament voted to censure him in 2010 after misleading MSPs.
He has faced two votes of no confidence in the Scottish Parliament, first over the Scottish exams fiasco, and secondly over refusal to publish legal advice over the Scottish Government’s handling of harassment complaints. On both occasions he U-turned and survived the votes.
Angus Robertson MSP
Constitution Secretary. A strong debater, Robertson led the SNP in the House of Commons for a decade, from 2007 to 2017, and served as Depute Leader of the Party from 2016 to 2018.
As an MP, Robertson raised eyebrows after claiming for a bed, a corkscrew, a sofa bed, and a home cinema system on expenses.
As Constitution Secretary Robertson presided over the Scotland's disastrous census rollout. Just 77 per cent of households returned the Scottish census - compared with a rate of 97 per cent for the one in England and Wales.
Angus Robertson MSP is regarded as a strong debater
Lesley Martin
Robertson was subsequently forced to extend the deadline at a cost of nearly £10million.
Humza Yousaf MSP
Health Secretary, and former Justice Secretary. Elected as an MSP in 2011 at the age of just 26, he quickly rose through the ranks.
As Justice Secretary he promoted the controversial Hate Crime Bill, which was criticised as a severe crackdown on speech.
Humza Yousaf could face an uphill struggle where he to enter the running
Lesley Martin
He has had a tough time managing the Health brief during a series of NHS crises. There was uproar this winter when he said “people should think twice about phoning 999”.
Repeated scandals and a viral video of him falling off a scooter in the Scottish Parliament may mean he faces an uphill struggle.
Kate Forbes MSP
Treasury Secretary. Forbes got the job after Derek Mackay resigned as Finance Secretary in February 2020, after the Scottish Sun revealed the 42 year old had repeatedly pestered a 16-year-old boy on social media, describing the boy as "really cute" and offering to meet with him.
Forbes subsequently became Treasury Secretary in her first term in Parliament.
Forbes is a member of the evangelical Free Church of Scotland. She was reportedly sceptical of Sturgeon’s Gender Recognition Act reforms.
Forbes has also made comments perceived to be anti-abortion in the past. She may face a tough time winning over the socially liberal SNP membership.
Stephen Flynn MP
New Westminster Leader, replaced Ian Blackford in December. An Aberdeen MP, Flynn has publicly split with Sturgeon over oil and gas exploration.
Without a by-election, Flynn would not be able to serve in the Scottish Parliament or become First Minister. Unlikely candidate.
