Who do you want to see as new First Minister?

[Rememberal]

And who do you think it'll be if they are different?

Not seen any threads on this yet!

My two cents -

I voted SNP when I was very young (Salmond) and under the impression they were a kinda catch-all working man's party who didn't do much to offend the left or right, but I stopped voting for them ages ago and recently started to actively despise them.

Normally I'm the polar opposite of the Reddit consensus and they seem to want Robertson but only, it seems, because they can't have Mhari Black (which is one MP I DO know and absolutely cannot stand). I feel like Forbes is the only one who'd bring them back to the centre and increase membership as she might attract everyone who left back.

So I suppose I'm a toss-up between Forbes who might pull them away from their more (imho) farcical policies and Black who might finally start to kill them dead in the water.

I do believe Sturgeon resigned because the recent polling data (where ALL age demographics agreed with the WM overturn including a large amount of SNP membership) showed that people vote SNP despite their progressive policies and not because of them. I reckon they knew it would really hurt them at the next election, and since she can't U-turn, the only thing left to do was step aside and let a new leader shift their direction.

I'm interested to know what people on here think though.

There's also a clear implication that only "socially progressive" views deserve to be represented in Parliament. And therefore that those who do not hold the approved views are not worthy of representation.

Combine that with the pro/non indy split which means that the SNP are more dominant than they otherwise would be and you've got the party in power only willing to represent the views of socially progressive pro indy people. Various surveys have shown that a sizeable chunk of SNP voters oppose GRR for example.

They're only representing a minority at this point.

I think MSPs have forgotten they are there to represent their constituents regardless of their own beliefs. Across most parties they ignored constituents views on the GRA reform and looks what's happened. They stuck to their little Holyrood and Party echo-chamber and that ended well!
Polls done by YouGov since have shown there was not public support for this but the elected representatives refused to listen.

Sorry meant to add in last post the only age group with majority supporting the act were 16-24 year olds in YouGov polls. I heard on radio this week the average age of SNP members is in their 50s

The SNP are showing themselves up here - you're seriously telling me they didn't know her views? KF has merely public and now NS, Swinney, The National and her 'backers' are forming an orderly queue to stick the boot in.

I'm beginning to wonder if the point of KF's candidacy wasn't exactly this, to show how intolerant 'modern progressive Scotland' is for anyone that doesn't share the same views.

Did they not say at some point (over the GRR) that their job was to make the "right" decisions even when it was not the choice of the people?

Surely the backlash against KF is a hate crime? It would be something if they got charged under Humza's bill. 😂

The vote under that times article had KF on over 70%

Obviously I don't get a vote and wouldn't vote SNP regardless, but I am enjoying this.

They really are showing themselves up. It's pretty clear that her views haven't been an issue before - which rather suggests that on a day to day basis her faith isn't driving her politics and that what she says about being tolerant and accepting of other people is true.

I've certainly been aware she was a wee free for years so I can't believe for a moment that they didn't.

They knew she was religious. They know that she doesn't go around making political decisions which exclude people who don't follow her chosen way of living.

So they're being performative tosspots.

Someone very fishy with that poll on the national. It's now swung to 47% for HY in the space of about 18 hours.

Guessing they've got some junior recruits clicking on it constantly - especially since Ash and Kate have stayed pretty much level with each other so their results appear to be consistent. That sort of swing doesn't happen organically

Rumours going around Twitter about Humza and another SNP politician...

Do they think we're stupid?

Yes Nicola 'I'm not going to intervene unless it doesn't go the way I expect'...I would place money on huge pressure being put on Forbes to withdraw her candidacy

I hope they elect Humza - he's got little charisma or competence.

Bot me no bots.

wingsoverscotland.com/the-feather-light-touch/
Here's the answer to Humza's increasing poll lead

but is no -one else doing any polling ( I mean someone reliable) ?

Yep, saw that. There’s definitely a ‘workplace issue’ up for discussion if it is true🤣

Ordinarily, I’d say grab the popcorn and watch this all implode, but it’s so depressing that this is happening for Scotland 😞

I’m disappointed that Ash Regan hasn’t said very much or had publicity.

I think her strategy to keep out of the limelight and let her opponents bring themselves down is spot on at the moment. 😬

I think I read she’s starting her campaign tomorrow

Bots highly likely, the numbers are bonkers. I think up to yesterday they were fine but they've gone completely cuckoo

Not related to FM, but did anyone else see Nicola bump Lorna Slater off her chair for John Swinney? 😂

Hm. I'm not totally sure she's going to be able to secure enough backing to run.

That said, politics is a long game. I think NS' successor is not likely to last very long. There might be a lot to be said for hanging back and waiting for some idiot to take the fall.

I think Humza would probably do really badly in a poll.

So, no. Nobody's doing any polling!

poll out tomorrow if SNP votes from 2021 on the leadership election....

of SNP voters 🤦‍♀️