Candidates for the SNP leadership clash in first TV debate as Finance Secretary takes aim at rival Humza Yousaf.
Host Colin Mackay with Kate Forbes, Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan in Glasgow on Tuesday night CREDIT: STV
Kate Forbes has launched an extraordinary attack on Nicola Sturgeon’s record in the first TV debate of the SNP leadership contest, arguing that “more of the same” would be an “acceptance of mediocrity.”
The Finance Secretary took aim at rival Humza Yousaf over his pledge to continue most of Ms Sturgeon’s domestic agenda, saying that it was “time for change” and “continuity won’t cut it.”
Mr Yousaf accused her of “lurching to the Right” and argued the devout Christian’s opposition to gay marriage and Ms Sturgeon’s controversial gender reforms meant she could not unite Yes voters.
But, making her opening statement in the STV debate, which quickly descended into acrimony, Ms Forbes argued that “we can do better” and pledged to “offer a new start for Scotland”.
After savaging her rival’s record in a series of major government roles, Ms Forbes said she would keep him in her Cabinet but “maybe not in health”.
The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP said: “I want to eradicate poverty, tackle the cost of living crisis and reform our NHS. And I’ll do it by building a world-leading green economy, capable of driving growth for generations to come.
“More of the same is not a manifesto – it is an acceptance of mediocrity.”
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