Believing in a leader is not the same as having a faithful leader. This ultra-conservative religious stance may have harmed his career. He is a candidate to replace Nicola Sturgeon as leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP). The person in charge of Finance in the devolved government was the clear favorite to be the prime minister compared with the other two applicants, the Head of Health Humza Yousaf and the former Communities Minister Regan.
At the start of the campaign, Forbes, 32, enjoyed a strong 77% voting intention, a support that waned after his first public remarks. He talked in interviews about his personal opposition to same-sex marriage for religious reasons, a stance that would have seen him vote against it when it was approved in 2014. He also denied that having children out of wedlock was acceptable.
Forbes’s comments caused an uproar, and several SNP members who had supported his candidacy promptly reconsidered. He defended himself as “honest and clear,” yet his long-standing moral positions could cost him politically. He asserted that voters have the final word. By Friday, a poll showed his lead shrinking to 28%, with 20% for Yousaf, 7% for Regan, and 31% undecided.
Against same-sex couples and abortion
Forbes, 32, is married and has three children. He belongs to an evangelical Free Church that diverges from mainstream Scottish Presbyterianism and holds strong conservative views, including opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion rights. He has argued that Scotland may be moving toward more liberal norms that have emerged over the past two decades through legislative changes and broader social attitudes.
If Forbes were selected, Scotland would be led by a figure with markedly conservative positions. Sturgeon is often seen as one of Europe’s more progressive voices on social issues. The former first minister did not immediately comment on the candidates, but addressed the controversy once it escalated, saying that a prime minister’s views matter because people expect their leaders to stand up for rights.
Corrected result
Joseph37 drew notable backing among SNP politicians and could win despite his track record. The Scottish health portfolio has faced heavy criticism, and the result was revised. He was born in Glasgow and is of Pakistani origin. He is Muslim but has supported same-sex marriage and said he would continue the legacy he inherited from the party leadership.
“As a leader of a country, one must advocate an inclusive vision and celebrate diversity,” he stated. If elected, the party may appoint leaders from diverse backgrounds in the United Kingdom and Ireland, signaling a broader regional representation.
Votes from 100,000 members
The nomination period closed on a Friday, opening voting through March 27. The result could be announced the same day. Each SNP member has voting rights and will see a list of three candidates in order of preference in a process called simple vote transfer. If no candidate secures a clear majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and the votes transfer to the next option until a winner remains.
The task for the new leader would be to secure approval through a vote in the Scottish Parliament. In principle, the process could be complex because the SNP sits close to an absolute majority, and any tie with Green colleagues could affect the coalition balance.
The overall process represents a shift from the party’s earlier approach to leadership elections, which were decided by broad backing and applause rather than formal challenges. The party’s leadership has historically exercised strong discipline, and internal divisions have started to surface only recently.