[0762]

There are good signs there will be healthy debate covering this leadership contest as we move forward and in spite of the expected toxic Brit press/media incursions. The 100k+ SNP membership will ultimately decide who is the appropriate person and as I commented in a previous thread - choose wisely! My biggest disappointment is the fact there are only three candidates. Their ratings were 1, 2 and 5 percentage popularity pts, Kate Forbes initially on the 5 rating. And btw I don't believe Humza Yousaf will be held to the same standards based on observations so far. Indeed, I've previously said how astounding it is in watching this form of extreme scrutiny coming across the Scottish border while seeing no consistency re the religious views/beliefs of any reputable or disreputable politicians down the years in England. I'd wager a good number of them uphold the institution of marriage above the same sex one. They just wouldn't honestly disclose that view in the way that Kate Forbes did it. It is also troubling (but not surprising as I predicted much of this stuff unfolding well before the event!) to see the BBC telling the Scottish population on a daily basis (so far) that Kate Forbes isn't a fan of same sex marriage!!!??? Talk about a set agenda! And as for consistency re religious beliefs? There was a recent articulate response from the Green MSP, Ross Greer, a friend of Kate Forbes and a CoS member/devout Christian who espoused his church's favourable stance on gay marriage as opposed to Kate Forbes position re the traditional institution of marriage itself. His initial comment was, "I'm a Christian too and my faith is why I support LGBT equality". However, he failed to say that the Church of Scotland has provision for congregations to refuse to accept having a gay minister? And Kirk ministers have the right to refuse to conduct gay marriages if it is against their conscience? Hence one could similarly debate why the leader of the Green Party, Patrick Harvie, is happy to have Mr Greer in his party? There is clearly an element of consistency missing from this debate!! I still tend to focus on the views of certain Tories re these candidates and I find it curious that senior members like prof Adam Tomkins, an ex Scot parliamentarian, still regard Kate Forbes qualities as something that the Unionist side fears most - something to take note of as the leadership contest gradually picks up in the weeks ahead.