Kate Forbes on SNP Leadership and Gay Marriage Views
Kate Forbes, former SNP minister, has stated that she was considered a "slam dunk" candidate for the Scottish National Party leadership until she disclosed her stance on gay marriage.
The ex-deputy first minister was narrowly defeated by Humza Yousaf in the 2023 SNP leadership contest, facing criticism for beliefs she attributed to her Christian faith.
Speaking at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) conference held last week, Forbes revealed she was advised to conceal her views but maintained that the public respects politicians who uphold their integrity on challenging issues.
At the event in London's Olympia, she asserted that despite losing to Yousaf, she "absolutely won the public support." The former MSP, who stepped down from the Scottish Parliament at the May election, delivered a speech and took part in a question and answer session focused on "the challenge of leading with integrity."
Her participation in the conference drew criticism from some SNP members, as the event included right-wing figures such as Nigel Farage, Kemi Badenoch, Boris Johnson, and supporters of Donald Trump from the United States.
Leadership Contest and Public Reaction
During the Q&A session, Forbes stated that her 2023 leadership campaign was initially perceived "as a bit of a slam dunk," adding:
"I was very much in the lead."
However, she lost support early in the campaign after revealing she would have voted against same-sex marriage legislation, which was passed in 2014 before she became an MSP, though she would not seek to repeal it.
As a member of the Free Church of Scotland, Forbes also expressed that having children outside of marriage was "wrong" and faced criticism for her views on abortion and transgender rights.
When asked if it was difficult to remain true to her beliefs during the contest, she responded:
"All these wonderfully committed team members, who wanted me to win, had great advice - just lie and you'll be fine.
I ended the first 24 hours just so thankful that, in the face of the questions, I hadn't crumbled.
The end result felt like a victory because during that period I thought I had not given in when I could have."
Comments from John Anderson and Public Support
The Q&A was chaired by former Australian deputy prime minister John Anderson, who claimed Forbes was treated "grossly unfairly" due to her Christian beliefs.
Regarding Yousaf, Anderson stated that the SNP leadership contest favored "somebody who was probably every bit as committed to those views, and even more hardline, but happened to be of a different faith." He added:
"Let's be honest, he was a Muslim."
This comment was not challenged by Forbes.
Forbes shared that she received positive public feedback after revealing her religious beliefs, saying:
"When you're getting into taxis and people are saying 'you're the only honest one amongst [the politicians]' that feels good."
In her speech, she mentioned receiving "thousands on thousands" of messages from people who disagreed with her but supported her right to express her conscience. She said:
"I answered questions honestly about my faith, and the way it shaped my view of sex and gender, of marriage and family. The backlash was instant and fervent."
Forbes noted that in commentary about her leadership bid, her experience managing the nation's budget as finance secretary and holding the largest electoral majority of any parliamentarian was overshadowed by the focus on her conscience:
"My experience of managing the nation's budget as finance secretary, or having the largest electoral majority of any parliamentarian, was less important apparently than - shocker of shockers - having a conscience."
Gay Marriage Controversy
During the 2023 leadership contest, Humza Yousaf defended his absence from the final vote on Scotland's equal marriage legislation, amid claims he had arranged a meeting as cover. Yousaf stated he had an "unavoidable" engagement concerning a death row prisoner in Pakistan and affirmed:
"I support equal marriage. I supported it then, support it now."
When asked earlier this week if he would attend the ARC event, First Minister John Swinney responded:
"I certainly wouldn't speak at a conference like that because I'm going to have nothing to do with Reform."
Political Reflections and SNP Response
Addressing political dissatisfaction, Forbes remarked that "politicians have pretended to be able to deliver utopia for too long." She reflected on the multiple referendums held across parts of the UK in recent years, stating that each vote left half the population "scunnered and angry" and the other half disappointed when "they didn't see the milk and honey flowing."
The SNP declined to comment on Forbes' statements but highlighted that John Swinney had led recent pride marches in Edinburgh.
Forbes, Yousaf, and Anderson have been contacted for further comment.
Kate Forbes' Political Career
First elected in 2016, Forbes quickly rose to become Scotland's first female finance secretary in 2020. After losing the 2023 leadership contest to Yousaf, she returned to the backbenches but considered another leadership bid the following year.
Ultimately, she chose to support Swinney and was appointed as his deputy. However, she did not seek re-election at the May Holyrood election, citing family commitments.
