Scottish independence chooses Sturgeon’s successor in primaries

The process of electing a new leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and the head of the autonomous government is entering its final phase. From this Monday until next 27th, almost 100,000 branches will have to choose between three candidates to succeed Nicola Sturgeon, the symbolic independence leader who resigned in early February. Secretary of Health, Humza Yousaf; head of economy, Kate Forbesand former Secretary of Community Safety Ashregan They are running for the position of Chief Minister of Scotland.

Yousaf, the son of Pakistani immigrants, is considered a favorite of the SNP leadership and Sturgeon herself, despite avoiding publicly endorsing either candidate. The outgoing deputy prime minister, John Swinney, and the SNP parliamentary group spokesman in the House of Commons, Stephen Flynn, as well as around half of his fellow cabinet members, backed him.

The campaign for the primary, the first in nearly two decades, hardened as the days passed. Criticisms that Forbes made against Sturgeon’s policies, such as the approval of same-sex marriages, and the policies of his rivals, especially Yousaf, brought him heavyweight reviews nationalist formations.

But Kate Forbes’ conservative resume doesn’t seem to be affecting her chances of getting elected. Public opinion polls have her as the favorite, although when Yousaf Party voters are asked, she is ahead, albeit by just one point.

“We cannot afford a leader who will take us off the progressive path that will give us the independence we crave,” warns Yousaf, while Forbes defends himself by saying Scotland needs a “principled leader who will not buckle under pressure”.

Third in discord, Ash Regan, a rebel deputy who resigned as community safety secretary in protest of the controversial trans bill, has few options.

All three candidates promise to push ahead with Scottish secession. However, Yousaf and Forbes acknowledge that it could take years to gather the support needed to hold a second independence referendum. A YouGov survey published this Monday reveals that if a new independence referendum were held today, 54% would be given the option of remaining in the UK compared to 46% who would opt for separation.