Ash Regan
Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan have declared their candidacy to take over from Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and Scotland’s first minister. The pair revealed their plans to run in the Sunday Mail, becoming the first to declare their intention to stand in the leadership race. Other potential candidates include Finance Minister Kate Forbes and deputy leader Keith Brown, with the winner of the race due to be announced on 27 March.
Mr Yousaf, who has been an MSP since 2011, said he had been through a “rollercoaster of emotions” since Ms Sturgeon’s shock resignation. He believes he is the best person for the job and has experience in the top role in the country. However, his time as justice minister saw him bogged down in controversy surrounding the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, and he has been criticised for his running of the NHS in Scotland.
Ms Regan, who resigned as community safety minister over the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, said the SNP “need to bring back unity, draw a line under certain things and move past them”. She believes she is the person to do that and that the Scottish Government should focus on important issues such as the NHS, economy, jobs and cost-of-living crisis.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney has ruled himself out of the contest, as have SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and MP Joanna Cherry. Other potential candidates considering running are Finance Secretary Kate Forbes – currently on maternity leave – and SNP deputy leader Keith Brown. Nominations for the leadership contest will close at noon on Friday, with a party conference scheduled for 19 March postponed.
The race to replace Nicola Sturgeon is heating up, with Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan becoming the first to declare their candidacy. Both candidates bring different experiences to the table, with Yousaf having been an MSP since 2011 and Regan resigning as community safety minister over the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. Other potential candidates include Finance Minister Kate Forbes and deputy leader Keith Brown, with nominations for the leadership contest closing at noon on Friday. The winner of the race is due to be announced on 27 March.