Ash Regan to stand for SNP leader

This isn't right either.

The SNP Constitution doesn't directly address candidate eligibility; it charges the NEC with setting out rules for each election, in line with Standing Orders and driven by the membership via the National Conference.

In August 2020, the NEC set rules for the Holyrood elections of May 2021. This introduced the requirement for sitting MPs to resign before standing as MSPs. SNP MPs weren't prevented from standing, but it did become significantly more complicated and most who had expressed an interest before the change abandoned their plans to avoid closing their constituency offices and dismissing their staff. A group of SNP parliamentarians wrote to the FM protesting the policy, to no avail. There was also a court case by an SNP activist that went nowhere.

The rule absolutely was binding for the last Holyrood election. Here's Neil Grey, the only SNP MP who actually did stand as an SNP MSP (although two other SNP MPs switched party and stood) explaining why he had to resign. It's ultimately up to the NEC to keep, change, or discard this requirement when the rules for the next Holyrood election are set.

Say what the Green Party idiots could resign. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🥃🥃🥃

go on do it leave us berefit but yet be gone you lot who helped to ruin Scotland

This is false.

NEC attempted to change the party constitution to bring this about, but were ultimately overruled by the leadership. There is absolutely nothing preventing any SNP MP standing as an MSP. Joanna Cherry opted not to stand in Edinburgh Central once she realised she had absolutely no support within the party to do so.

Scotparl is split between Independence (SNP/Greens) and Unionists (everyone else).

But at the moment there is some sort of formal pact between the Greens and SNP. Apparently if the Westminster block of the GRR isn't challenged Harvie and Slater would resign - that would be an added bonus...

I have no idea who is the popular candidate, but I am sitting back with the popcorn to enjoy it.

Beats another round of Westminster musical chairs. At this stage it will be an achievement if the Tories end 2023 with the same leader in place.

Thanks, Natasha. If the Greens pull out, couldn't Holyrood simply function as a more collaborative parliament (as was originally intended)? I guess that none of the contenders could say that out loud though...

Ash Regan resigned her ministerial post back in October over the GRR, I assume she'd find it hard to support it now - and it would look hypocritical too.

I'm not an SNP supporter. Of the 3, Regan looks slightly less useless but the SNP will likey lose Green support if they pick her and she chooses to drop GRR.

My husband to his embarrassment has a relative who is an SNP MSP - independence trumps everything. Husband's relative privately does not support the GRR but will do what the party tells them to. Relative will drop it if told to, will support it if told to.

Personally I don't much care- they all support an ideology I'm opposed to , although Yousaf is likely to make more of a mess than the other two so he's my preference.The Times Scotland readers are solidly behind Yousaf !

I'm not Scottish (or living in Scotland) so forgive me if this is a stupid question. Is Ash Regan's decision to go with 1) rejection of the GRR and 2) willingness to view the next Holyrood election as a de facto independence referendum a good decision? Given Humza Yousaf supports GRR (but has said that Isla Bryant is pretending to be a TW) but doesn't see the election as a proxy for IndyRef2 which way will SNP members go? I see that Kate Forbes is saying she wouldn't have voted for GRR (although IIRC, she could have voted for or against), but I'm not sure of her position on the election=referendum stuff.

i guess I'm asking whether Ash stands a realistic chance in this race and whether Scottish independence trumps GRR nonsense for SNP supporters.

Kate Forbes is apparently announcing her candidature today. Angus Robertson is not standing.

So two GC. One not.

To which I've now cross post replied !

I know. I wasn't disagreeing with you but with MargaritaRita's interpretation of what you wrote.

That's not the reason. The SNP MP's in Westminster are every bit as separatist and for an "independent Scotland" as the SNP SMPs in Holyrood.

The official reason is , I suppose, that they've got 2 jobs and can't do both properly. That didn't stop Salmond being an MP and an MSP.

The real reason was almost certainly to make life more difficult for Cherry. I've no particular issue with Sturgeon trying to make life difficult for Cherry - internal bickering, squabbling, petty grudge holding and back stabbing is fine by me.

@ArabellaScott Thanks for the information. I was puzzled as I thought I read that some MSPs had a dual mandate, but couldn't understand why SNPs didn't seem to. I get it now. I suppose (correct me if I am wrong) it makes sense for that party as they are separatist not Unionist and you are either for an independent Scotland or you're not, therefore you cannot have two masters, or something like that!

I'm not from UK, so am very confused about representation for Scotland whilst following the SNP situation with great interest.

I understand that Scotland has its own parliament with MSPs, but there also seem to be MPs in Westminster representing Scotland, Joanna Cherry springs to mind. Is there a dual mandate or must a candidate only stand for election for the Scottish Parliament elections OR Westminster elections but not both? Thanks if anyone can clarify for me and apologies for my ignorance.

Forbes could have used a "keeping in touch day" logged on remotely to vote against it if she cared that much.

Ash Regan is pushing the "de facto referendum". She's as bad as any of them