Early days, but interestingly an initial poll by the Big Partnership still shows Kate Forbes is out in front - 31% don't knows, 28% for Forbes, Yousaf 20% and Regan 7%. The poll found 5% of SNP supporters think faith or personal beliefs are important. 61% want an indy referendum to be held in the next 2 years. 58% commented it is important that the new FM tackles the cost of living crisis - well up there in Kate Forbes remit btw! Only 12% said they are either somewhat or very inclined to vote SNP on the regional list ballot.
Worth noting some of the content from Kate Forbes in an exclusive comment to The National: "Most mothers dread the return from maternity leave. It has certainly been quite a tough first week back as I launched my bid to be the next FM of Scotland. This leadership election is about independence, who is best equipped and who has the best plan to achieve it. It is also about the society we want Scotland to be in the years ahead, where tolerance is the ruling ethic, differences are welcomed, fairness is the norm, equality of opportunity is the birth right of every child, poverty becomes history, and the rule of law applies to everyone. At the same time, we need to re-engage the Yes movement, which is full of talent and ideas, in uniting behind the common cause of independence. As a party, we are the largest entity in the movement, but we must build bridges, to those of different parties and none, and create the space to meaningfully engage on the path to independence. I am hugely ambitious for Scotland..........growing a sustainable economy, being at the forefront of building a nation characterised by innovation and entrepreneurship...............We must break from the past! If we want the same outcomes, I suggest we continue with the same old practices!...........................To achieve independence we need to be bolder, braver and more realistic and, ultimately, we also need a leader who is fresh-faced and ready........................................As Finance Sec during the Covid-19 crisis and the cost of living crisis, I've proven myself as a credible and competent public servant, trusted with the national budget - competence breeds confidence!.........Under my leadership, I want to develop a model that gives increased autonomy to my team in Cabinet and members of the SNP, pushing power out and down. I also want to take a much wider approach to genuinely listening to informed voices when it comes to policymaking. There are numerous think tanks like Common Weal who have been working away to produce policy papers and suggestions that have not been getting the hearing they deserve.....time to broaden the range of voices, although it would be impossible to agree with every suggestion from every source, all well-considered suggestions should be carefully considered.....Our neighbouring small independent countries enjoy wealthier, fairer and greener outcomes - there is no reason why Scotland cannot do the same!..............I am committed to doing everything in my power to make that vision a reality, and I hope you will join me on that journey".
Worth noting some of the content from Kate Forbes in an exclusive comment to The National: "Most mothers dread the return from maternity leave. It has certainly been quite a tough first week back as I launched my bid to be the next FM of Scotland. This leadership election is about independence, who is best equipped and who has the best plan to achieve it. It is also about the society we want Scotland to be in the years ahead, where tolerance is the ruling ethic, differences are welcomed, fairness is the norm, equality of opportunity is the birth right of every child, poverty becomes history, and the rule of law applies to everyone. At the same time, we need to re-engage the Yes movement, which is full of talent and ideas, in uniting behind the common cause of independence. As a party, we are the largest entity in the movement, but we must build bridges, to those of different parties and none, and create the space to meaningfully engage on the path to independence. I am hugely ambitious for Scotland..........growing a sustainable economy, being at the forefront of building a nation characterised by innovation and entrepreneurship...............We must break from the past! If we want the same outcomes, I suggest we continue with the same old practices!...........................To achieve independence we need to be bolder, braver and more realistic and, ultimately, we also need a leader who is fresh-faced and ready........................................As Finance Sec during the Covid-19 crisis and the cost of living crisis, I've proven myself as a credible and competent public servant, trusted with the national budget - competence breeds confidence!.........Under my leadership, I want to develop a model that gives increased autonomy to my team in Cabinet and members of the SNP, pushing power out and down. I also want to take a much wider approach to genuinely listening to informed voices when it comes to policymaking. There are numerous think tanks like Common Weal who have been working away to produce policy papers and suggestions that have not been getting the hearing they deserve.....time to broaden the range of voices, although it would be impossible to agree with every suggestion from every source, all well-considered suggestions should be carefully considered.....Our neighbouring small independent countries enjoy wealthier, fairer and greener outcomes - there is no reason why Scotland cannot do the same!..............I am committed to doing everything in my power to make that vision a reality, and I hope you will join me on that journey".