Ash Regan to stand for SNP leader

[ArabellaScott]

'Ash Regan, the minister who spearheaded the biggest rebellion in SNP history when she resigned her community safety post to oppose Sturgeon’s bill, has told friends she is likely to run for the leadership. She urged former SNP members who quit over Sturgeon’s stance on transgender rights to rejoin the party and participate in the election.'

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0729010a-adf0-11ed-91ef-347dcf6a25f6?shareToken=7e340d6ac34e89f376ed9568b12bef1a

www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/02/16/snp-minister-ash-regan-revolt-sturgeon-gender-reforms-surprise/

news.sky.com/story/rebel-msp-ash-regan-has-thrown-hat-into-the-ring-for-snp-leadership-12812489

Not clear who would be eligible to vote for leader:

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/02/16/snp-split-who-can-vote-nicola-sturgeons-successor/

Ooh fantastic news. I wonder what her chances are though, given that she didn't appear in the "possible leaders" lists in the media.

Thank fuck for that

Ash Regan would be a great choice.

I believe it's members on 15/2/23, though Jo Cherry has suggested those who left the party in the past 12 months should be allowed to rejoin and vote.

Gah, as it says in your link.

Damn it, I left 2 years ago.

Slightly off topic but I really enjoyed reading this Guardian article over my breakfast this morning. What a mess they've created for themselves...

www.theguardian.com/society/2023/feb/16/scottish-leadership-election-leaves-gender-reform-hanging-in-balance

Yes saw this yesterday, interesting that there is a Sky news article on the 5 standing but it names only 4 and they've left her out, unless maybe it's not official? Also noticeable that the only woman listed, Kate Forbes, has her personal family imo in the blurb (on maternity) but not the men.

The way they covered Kate Forces in the guardian really monstered her for her religious beliefs. The free Church is quite full on, to be fair, but so are a lot of religions if you take them literally - I couldn't imagine them saying the same sorts of things about Hamza Yusuf, for example.

What a pickle the SNP have got themselves in. Pushing through what was described as a 'simple administrative change' is going to cost them enormously regardless of which side wins the argument in the end. This issue will cause/reveal massive cracks in the party throughout the leadership contest. Oh dear .,,

Awesome

Can anyone bring me up to speed with Kate Forbes please? Where does she fit with everything?

Or her opinion on the trans issue?

Yes. What a mess.

The Greens making this their red line issue to forfeit any political influence on environmental legislation surely has to make environmental activists pause for thought.

And the SNP, willing to risk Independence over this too surely must make Indy supporters think too.

I think calculations might be that the fight they hope to have with Westminster will yield benefits. Counting on - 'Nothing gets up the ire of a Scot like a No from England'.

Until, we get another case like Isla Bryson or the butcher from Melrose. Which will make Scots angrier .....?

This is such a gamble. The Tories are looking like the only party that cares about womens rights. Which is how they will play the Westminster fight.

The Scottish Greens have recently been protesting against themselves with regard to budget cuts. It is all completely performative. They will rant and rave but in the end sign anything to keep their ministerial posts.

I had to look up the Free Church and tbh I'm not much the wiser. Can't make out if they're the same as the Wee Frees.

An old friend was raised in what he called the Free Presbyterian Church - not to be confused with Paisley's Church of that name in Northern Ireland. It's helluva complicated.

He told me they weren't allowed a crib at Christmas as it's not in the bible as such. It's a private matter though and I'm sure she keeps it apart from her politics.

Ruth Kelly was in Opus Dei. Sadiq Khan is a Muslim. Sunak is a Hindu. Caroline Lucas? Dunno ..probably a Druid.

yes, the Free Church is commonly called the 'wee frees'. There are lots of different sects and churches within that.

Kate Forbes is not at all in favour of Self ID, and spoke out on the issue before, co-signed a letter with Ash Regan.

Inexperienced MSP.
She is an avid member of the evangelical Free church of Scotland, which is opposed to abortion ("murder") and homosexuality/same sex marriage.

The Greens making this their red line issue to forfeit any political influence on environmental legislation surely has to make environmental activists pause for thought.

I've voted Green sometimes - I think the climate is the most pressing issue for all of us. Of course the Greens need a position on other issues, or they wouldn't be a full political party, but I don't see how I can vote for them unless or until they take a different position on self-ID and women's spaces. It might be a red line issue for them, but it's also a deal-breaker for me.

Robin McAlpine on leadership election.

Wings on the subject.

Finance Secretary.