By Easter, Scotland will have a new first minister after the SNP agreed on the specifics of the battle to succeed Nicola Sturgeon and postponed her efforts to impose independence.
The nominations for a six-week leadership contest were opened Friday night by party leaders.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf is set to declare his candidacy for First Minister of Scotland, whereas Deputy First Minister John Swinney and MP Joanna Cherry have ruled themselves out of the race.
The timetable, however, necessitated the postponement of a March 19 “special conference” at which members were to consider the way to an independence referendum.
Ms. Sturgeon had supported using the upcoming general election as a de facto referendum, and this meeting was scheduled to discuss the proposal.
The national secretary of the party, Lorna Finn, stated, “It would be improper to bind a newly elected leader to a crucial decision regarding how we deliver democracy in Scotland in the face of continued Westminster intransigence.”
Former political opponents continued to criticize Ms. Sturgeon last night for her priorities.
Kwasi Kwarteng, a Conservative member of parliament who served as chancellor for six weeks last year, stated on TalkTV that her “woke agenda” ultimately backfired on her.
Following a meeting of the party’s national executive committee, candidates vying for the top position have until February 24 to submit their nomination, with voting taking place from March 13 to March 27.
The party’s national secretary, Lorna Finn, stated, “Nicola has been the most distinguished politician of this generation.
“We are extremely fortunate that she will continue to serve as an SNP MSP and a major advocate for Scotland’s independence.
“But the SNP is full of talented individuals and they now have the opportunity to put themselves forward and our new leader will lead us into the final phase of Scotland’s journey towards independence.”
The party stated that the results of the contest will be made public as soon as they are finalized and after the candidates have been informed.
Earlier on Thursday, the Daily Record claimed that Mr. Yousaf was anticipated to announce his bid to become the next leader of the SNP and First Minister of Scotland, which would be the party’s first leadership race in nearly two decades.
The Daily Record cited a source who said Mr. Yousaf, who was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2011, had “a lot of support from MPs and MSPs” and was a “unifying force” with a decade of government experience.
“Just as he has managed to get health unions round the table, he would bring the party together,” a source told the newspaper.
Mr. Swinney, however, stated that he would not be running for re-election and that the SNP’s next moves must be carefully considered in light of the impediments to an independence vote.
“To create the space for that fresh perspective to emerge, I have decided not to be a candidate for leadership in the SNP,” he explained.
“At this critical moment, I believe there must be an open debate within the SNP about our direction.”
Ms. Cherry excluded herself and stated that the “messianic leadership model has not worked”
The politician said in her column for The National that Ms. Sturgeon’s resignation might be a “turning point” if the party can “honestly appraise where things have gone wrong and radically reset our approach”
She stated that the incoming leader must reach out to the entire party and movement and adopt a more collegial approach.
“If we are to go forward united to achieve our goal of independence, we need to face up to what has gone wrong and put it right.”
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