A TOP Tory MSP has said John Swinney is the “opposition’s choice” for SNP leader – but ruled out his party working with Kate Forbes.
Murdo Fraser claimed the SNP “establishment” was lining up behind Swinney – having secured a large number of high-profile endorsements before even saying whether he will stand – because they believe “he is the only candidate who can defeat Forbes”.
Forbes has also not announced whether she will run to replace First Minister Humza Yousaf but both she and Swinney have confirmed they are considering it.
Writing in The Scotsman, Fraser said Forbes “could be the fresh start the SNP need after 17 dismal years” because she “wants to concentrate on the economy, getting taxation and public services right in a way that might just appeal to most of Scotland’s voters”.
He pointed out that the “bright young things in the SNP” such as Neil Gray, Mairi McAllan or Jenny Gilruth (below) have so far backed Swinney and not thrown their hats into the ring.
Fraser said: “This is a solid indication that they all expect the party to take a drubbing in the forthcoming General Election, and want someone else to carry the can.”
Subscribe to The National for just £20 for an entire year
But while the Tory business spokesperson talked up Forbes, he said she would fail to get the support of the Scottish Greens if elected leader.
He said: “They have a black ball which means that the 63 SNP MSPs’ votes count for nothing in the election of their own leader.
READ MORE: 'SNP machine' set on John Swinney coronation, Kate Forbes allies claim
“The Greens got rid of the last SNP leader in hapless Humza and now they get to choose his successor.
“It must be a bitter irony for SNP MSPs and MPs who advocate independence from a larger nation that, at Holyrood, they are in such stifling thrall to such a smaller party.”
But Fraser said that the Tories would not work with the former finance secretary either, saying rumours a Forbes (above) administration would need to rely on support from his party “won’t be happening”.
He added: “It is not our job to put any SNP politician in power, and our voters would never stand for it.
“But the very fact that this story was briefed tells us all we need to know about the fear and loathing that exist in some quarters of the SNP for Forbes.
“Nothing was more calculated to damage her candidacy with SNP members than the suggestion that she would attract Tory support.”
Swinney and Forbes were approached for comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel