ALISON Thewliss has announced she will run to be the SNP's next Westminster leader.
The Glasgow Central MP's announcement follows the news that Ian Blackford will stand down from the role.
Thewliss said that she would be a "clear contrast" from "two men shouting at each [other] across the dispatch box".
📢 I've decided to throw my hat in the ring for SNP Westminster leader. pic.twitter.com/AyylHaouaX
— Alison Thewliss 🧡 (@alisonthewliss) December 3, 2022
She made the announcement on Twitter on Saturday evening, tweeting: "I've decided to throw my hat in the ring for SNP Westminster leader."
She posted a picture with a statement, saying: "I’ve been working for independence for over half my life.
"Scotland is closer to achieving that now than ever before.
"The Westminster group needs a leader who can build on Ian Blackford’s achievements and demonstrate that independence, far from being abstract, is the alternative to Brexit, the cost-of-living crisis and Tory Austerity.
"I had no intention of running for Westminster leader, but there is now a vacancy. I believe I can do the job well and I feel I have a duty to step up.
"In my role as SNP Treasury spokesperson, I’ve challenged the Tories on their plans for austerity, and fought for more support for people and businesses in the cost-of-living crisis.
"I will also be a clear contrast to the two men shouting at each [other] at the dispatch box at PMQs on a Wednesday, illustrating the alternative vision on offer for Scotland.
"I believe I have the experience and attitude to lead the Westminster group forward so that ultimately we can win the opportunity to leave the UK Parliament once and for all and build a better future."
Thewliss has been an MP since 2015 and has held the party's Treasury spokesperson role since January 2020.
She is the first MP to officially announce that they are running for the position, despite rife speculation that Aberdeen South MP Stephen Flynn had been tipped to be Blackford's successor.
After Blackford announced his resignation, Thewliss said she was “very sorry” to hear the news and said the Skye MP had “consistently fought for Scotland’s cause at Westminster”.
Blackford replied: “So kind of you Alison it has been an absolute pleasure working with you.”
The SNP's parliamentary group is set for further changes as Kirsten Oswald announced on Friday that she would be stepping down as the party's deputy Westminster leader.
Oswald tweeted on Friday night that it seemed "sensible to me that a new leader and new deputy pick up the baton", adding: "They’ll have my support to do that."
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