The next leader of the SNP could be “crowned… without contest”, the Scottish Conservatives have claimed, after Humza Yousaf resigned from his role on Monday.
Mr Yousaf – who has been leader and first minister of Scotland for just over a year – announced his resignation following his decision last week to cut power-sharing ties with the Scottish Green Party saw its leadership collapse.
Attention now turns to who will replace him, with applications now open until Monday, May 6 at noon.
Former party MP John Swinney appears to be leading the pack.
Politics Live: Next Scottish FM should be ‘crowned without contest’
Mr Swinney – who was Nicola Sturgeon’s number two between 2014 and 2023 – has yet to confirm his bid for the leadership, telling Sky News he was “looking very carefully” at the decision.
But senior figures have already thrown their support behind him, with the SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn telling Sky News: “Serious times require serious politics and serious people, and the best person to take this forward now for the Scottish Nationalist Party is John Swinney.”
He may not be on a direct path to victory, however, with sources close to Kate Forbes – who lost to Mr Yousaf in last year’s leadership race – saying the MSP was “actively considering” another bid for the top job.
Speaking to the Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said he did not think there would be a contest, however.
“My interpretation of the current situation is that John Swinney will be crowned leader of the SNP uncontested, and I believe that as early as next week there will be a vote in the Scottish Parliament to elect him as first minister,” he said. declared.
“You’ve seen countless senior politicians here in Westminster and Edinburgh backing John Swinney. Of course, this is the same John Swinney who ruled himself out last year and said it was time to new talents to emerge.”
He added: “It’s not going to be a change, it’s going to be more of the same, it’s a focus on independence at the expense of the real priorities of people across Scotland.”
Meanwhile, former prime minister and now leader of rival Alba Party Alex Salmond expressed sympathy for Mr Yousaf, telling Sophy Ridge it was “a big wrench” to leave his post.
But he questioned whether the outgoing leader’s entourage was “acting in his best interests”, hinting at a plot to oust him in favor of Mr Swinney.
Asked if the contest would be a “set-up” by “the boys’ club” at the SNP leadership – as party MP Joanna Cherry earlier suggested – current deputy leader Keith Brown , answered no.
He told Sophy Ridge: “The majority of cabinet members are women and of course we’ve had a very long period with a woman in charge, so anyone can run in this contest.”
However, Mr Brown threw his support behind Mr Swinney, saying he was “someone with experience and someone who will hopefully bring unity to parliament but also to the party”.
