Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes MSP, has announced she will stand down as a Member of the Scottish Parliament next year. Forbes cited the desire to spend more time with her young family as the reason for her decision[1] but her unexpected departure from frontline politics may have other causes and it will certainly have important consequences for the Scottish National Party (SNP) ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.
Loss of a key SNP Leadership candidate
Undoubtably, the pressures on family life caused by a stressful job and long commute from her Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency will have taken a toll but raw politics is also likely to have played a part. Forbes is one of the few socially and fiscally conservative members of the SNP and in recent years this wing of the party has struggled as the more progressive wing has gained influence.
Reports of internal battles that saw Forbes continually ‘undermined’ in a ‘nest of vipers’[2] underline how she was seen as a threat to more leftist leadership rivals – the Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan MSP and Stephen Flynn MP. Not so long ago, Forbes curtailed her maternity leave to challenge for the top job running Nicola Sturgon’s anointed successor, Humza Yousaf close (47.9 per cent vs 52.1 per cent). At only 35, her decision to leave suggests she no longer sees a viable path to the SNP leadership.
Damage to John Swinney’s Government and electoral ticket
Forbes is an intelligent and capable politician. As the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic she has cultivated good relationships with business who generally respect her as someone who understands private enterprise and the need for economic growth. Civil servants too rate her ability and energy to take on big issues.
Politically, Forbes’ elevation to Deputy First Minister allowed Swinney to draw a prominent line under the Sturgeon and Yousaf eras that preceded him. Forbes prominence at the top of the ticket balanced competing factions within the SNP and helped project an image of unity and competence ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election. Her departure now threatens that balance and removes a powerful voice with strong appeal among more centrist and economically cautious voters.
Independence strategy snub
By stepping back only weeks after Swinney outlined his strategy for Scottish independence,[3] Forbes has also revealed her views on momentum towards the SNP’s flagship policy. As with the prospect of becoming SNP leader, it is hard to imagine Forbes walking away from politics if she believed Scottish independence was a realistic prospect in the near future.
What does Kate Forbes’ departure mean for public affairs and stakeholder engagement
For businesses and organisations engaging with Scottish politics, Forbes’ departure, along with many of her colleagues, is a clear signal that Holyrood’s political landscape is shifting.
With the SNP facing internal challenges, uncertainty around its future leadership and independence strategy, stakeholders must prepare for potential changes in policy direction particularly around the economy, taxation, energy, and infrastructure.
This presents an opportunity to reassess engagement strategies, build relationships with emerging political figures, and position your organisation effectively ahead of the 2026 election.
BREVIA CONSULTING PROVIDES STRAIGHTFORWARD POLITICAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT TO BUSINESSES AND ORGANISATIONS
Discover how Brevia can help you and your organisation by contacting the Brevia Team on 020 7091 1650 or contact@brevia.co.uk
[1] Kate Forbes MSP, 4 August 2025, link
[2] The Scottish Sun, THE KATE ESCAPE Inside SNP’s internal battle as ‘real reason’ for Kate Forbes resignation revealed, 4 August 2025, link
[3] BBC News, Swinney’s independence pitch could be key to SNP fortunes, 18 July 2025, link
