Kate Forbes pulls out of SNP leadership race
Kate Forbes will not stand to be the next leader of the SNP, clearing the way for John Swinney to succeed Humza Yousaf as first minister of Scotland.
Ms Forbes issued a statement this afternoon announcing that she will not put herself forward for the top job.
She said Mr Swinney, who formally launched his leadership bid in Edinburgh this morning, would have her endorsement and support.
She said: “I have concluded that the best way to deliver the urgent change Scotland needs is to join with John Swinney and advocate for that reform agenda within the Scottish Government.
“I can therefore today announce that I will not be seeking nomination as the next SNP leader. John will therefore have my support and endorsement in any campaign to follow.”
Mr Swinney issued a direct plea to Ms Forbes this morning to serve under his leadership as he said he wanted her to play a “significant part” in his administration.
Nominations in the SNP leadership contest will close at midday on Monday. If no third candidate emerges to force a contest, Mr Swinney could be installed as first minister next week.
Catch-up on the news as it happened below and join the conversation in the comments section here
Follow our latest local election live blog coverage here
04:00 PM BST
That is all for today...
Thank you for joining me for today’s politics live blog.
I will be back early tomorrow morning to guide you through the local election results.
03:38 PM BST
Sarwar claims SNP leadership election will be a ‘coronation’
Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, claimed this afternoon that the SNP leadership contest will be a “coronation” for John Swinney.
Speaking at Holyrood, Mr Sarwar told Sky News: “The reality is John Swinney is yesterday’s man, he doesn’t represent the future, he doesn’t represent change.”
He said Labour would continue to call for an early Holyrood election.
03:20 PM BST
Telegraph readers respond to Kate Forbes opting not to stand
Kate Forbes’ decision not to stand for the SNP leadership means it looks almost inevitable that John Swinney will replace Humza Yousaf as first minister of Scotland.
Telegraph readers have been responding to the news in the comments sections of today’s live blog:
03:15 PM BST
When do local election results come in?
The results of today’s local elections across England and Wales will start pouring in in the early hours of Friday morning.
There are 107 councils holding elections as well as dozens of police and crime commissioner contests and a selection of mayoral battles.
The Telegraph has pulled together a handy guide setting out the estimated times for the declaration of results in each contest.
You can find it here.
02:55 PM BST
Mercer apologises after Army veteran is ‘turned away’ from voting over ID issue
Johnny Mercer has apologised to an Army veteran after they said they were “turned away” from voting in the local elections because their Veteran ID card was not accepted as a form of formal identification.
The minister for veterans’ affairs tweeted that he was “sorry about this” and explained that the “legislation on acceptable forms of ID came out before the veterans ID cards started coming out in January this year”.
Downing Street said at lunchtime that it intended to “look into” the issue.
The Government then announced this afternoon that it will add Veteran ID cards to a list of approved identification for voting.
A Government spokesman said: “Our intention is for the new Veteran Card, which was rolled out in January 2024, to be added to the official list of recognised identification – and we are already consulting on this. Defence Identity cards for serving Armed Forces members are already accepted.”
02:31 PM BST
Scottish Tories accuse SNP of leadership contest ‘stitch-up’
Douglas Ross, the leader of Scottish Tories, claimed a “shady backroom deal” had been done in order to avoid an SNP leadership contest “bloodbath”.
He said: “Kate Forbes has caved into SNP demands for a stitch-up to install John Swinney as leader and spare the party the bloodbath of another leadership contest.
“But this shady backroom deal won’t cover-up the bitter splits that exist within the SNP – it just applies a sticking plaster to a gaping wound.”
Referring to John Swinney, Mr Ross said: “Scotland deserves better than someone whose fingerprints are all over 17 years of SNP failure and secrecy.”
02:10 PM BST
Stephen Flynn backs John Swinney to ‘lead us to a brighter future’
Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s leader in Westminster, said John Swinney “will lead us to a brighter future” as he welcomed the latter formally declaring his candidacy in the race to replace Humza Yousaf.
Mr Flynn, an early supporter of Mr Swinney in the wake of Mr Yousaf’s resignation, tweeted:
The unifying statement of intent from John Swinney this morning could not have been more impressive.
Precisely what the party, but more importantly the public, needed to hear.
A man who speaks to all of Scotland, he will lead us to a brighter future.
🏴— Stephen Flynn MP (@StephenFlynnSNP) May 2, 2024
02:03 PM BST
Scottish Labour label Swinney ‘yesterday’s man’
Anas Sarwar labelled John Swinney “yesterday’s man” as he responded to Kate Forbes’ decision not to stand in the SNP leadership contest.
The Scottish Labour leader claimed the SNP was putting “the interests of their party before the country yet again” instead of “facing up to the challenges that we face”.
He said: “The people of Scotland are crying out for change – but all the SNP is offering them is yesterday’s man in John Swinney.”
01:59 PM BST
Kate Forbes’ statement in full
“I have listened very carefully to the vision John Swinney set out this morning for Scotland. I welcomed, and embrace, his commitment to ensure internal respect for robust and divergent debate in the party, which is the lifeblood of any democratic institution like the SNP.
“I was also greatly heartened by his drive to restore a sense of courtesy and dignity to the way we conduct ourselves as a party and as a Parliament. If we want to rewin the trust of the people, tone and language matter in the way we conduct ourselves.
“I have also had the opportunity to speak directly with him to discuss the future of our party and our country. Those discussions on the future of the SNP and our vision for Scotland were both frank and constructive. What emerged was that we share a powerful common purpose for the country.
“That includes a passion to revitalise our party, reach out to those who feel disempowered and reinvigorate the independence movement.
“It also includes an understanding that economic growth and tackling poverty must again be key priorities, and that a just transition to ‘net zero’ must work with, and not against, our communities and businesses. But more than that, John is clear that he is determined to return the SNP to governing from the mainstream. Competent, candid government earning the trust of the people.
“That was the vision I offered in the last leadership contest, and is evidently demanded by the Scottish public. I have therefore weighed the decision whether or not to seek the leadership of the party with great care. Ultimately, I have concluded that the best way to deliver the urgent change Scotland needs is to join with John Swinney and advocate for that reform agenda within the Scottish Government.
“I can therefore today announce that I will not be seeking nomination as the next SNP leader. John will therefore have my support and endorsement in any campaign to follow.
“I sincerely thank every party member, and each of my parliamentary colleagues in Holyrood and Westminster, who have been in touch to urge me to stand. I recognise many people might be disappointed that I will not be contesting the position of leader at this time. To those people I say this - you can be certain that delivering on the priorities for which we have, together, advocated in recent years has been at the heart of today’s decision.
“It is now clear from this morning’s statement that in John Swinney we have someone who not only understands that need for reform, but has now committed to delivering it. I look forward to playing my role in making that happen.”
01:49 PM BST
Kate Forbes backs John Swinney to be next SNP leader
Kate Forbes has just issued a statement in which she said she will not be standing to be the next leader of the SNP.
She said she is endorsing John Swinney.
She said: “I have concluded that the best way to deliver the urgent change Scotland needs is to join with John Swinney and advocate for that reform agenda within the Scottish Government.
“I can therefore today announce that I will not be seeking nomination as the next SNP leader. John will therefore have my support and endorsement in any campaign to follow.”
01:45 PM BST
Kate Forbes will not stand in SNP leadership race
Kate Forbes will not stand to be the next leader of the SNP, clearing the way for John Swinney to succeed Humza Yousaf as first minister of Scotland.
After days of prevaricating over whether to put her name forward, it is understood Ms Forbes has decided against standing.
Her decision came after Mr Swinney launched his leadership campaign this morning with a major charm offensive directed at her, saying he would offer her a “significant role” in his government. The pair held talks on Tuesday over a possible deal.
01:24 PM BST
Britain suffers economic downgrade as steep interest rates bite
High taxes and interest rates will make Britain the slowest-growing economy in the G7 next year, the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) has predicted.
Economists at the Paris-based group on Thursday downgraded the outlook for Britain, predicting GDP will rise by just 0.4 per cent this year and 1 per cent in 2025 as high borrowing costs and taxes weigh on the economy.
The outlook for next year is the worst of any other major developed economy in the OECD and almost half the 1.8 per cent growth expected in the US.
Forecasters blamed high taxes and interest rates, as well as rapidly rising public spending, for holding back Britain.
You can read the full story here.
12:53 PM BST
Small boat crossing numbers ‘unacceptable’, says No 10
The number of people coming across the Channel in small boats is “unacceptable,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said after a single day record high for 2024 was recorded yesterday (see the post below at 12.05).
The spokesman said: “That is exactly why we need to get flights off the ground to Rwanda to provide the effective deterrent such that people know if they arrive here illegally they won’t be able to stay here.”
He added: “Whilst we’ve seen these high figures in recent weeks… in the last 12 months small boats crossings are still down by 33 per cent compared to 2022.”
12:37 PM BST
SNP putting ‘party before country’, claims Sarwar
Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, claimed that “Scotland cannot afford this distracted, divided and incompetent SNP Government”.
Speaking at Holyrood during First Minister’s Questions this afternoon, Mr Sarwar accused the SNP of putting “party before country and their own problems before the people of Scotland”.
He suggested that “regardless of who the SNP impose [as first minister] they won’t be able to fix this mess and deliver the change that Scotland needs”.
Humza Yousaf replied: “I don’t obviously agree with that in the slightest.”
12:16 PM BST
Douglas Ross tells SNP to ‘forget about independence’
Douglas Ross urged the SNP to “forget about independence” as he grilled Humza Yousaf at First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood.
The leader of the Scottish Tories said the SNP “must focus on what really matters to Scotland”.
He said the party should “forget about independence and prioritise growing our economy, creating jobs, improving public services”.
Turning to John Swinney’s bid to be SNP leader, Mr Ross said Mr Swinney “did the opposite of all of these things in government”.
He added: “All he offers is more of the same nationalist obsession that has damaged Scotland for a decade.”
Mr Yousaf said Mr Ross wanted to focus on “personalities” rather than policies.
He said: “With such an abysmal record, no wonder the leader of the nasty party wants to talk about personalities and not policies.”
12:05 PM BST
Kate Forbes to make statement at 2pm
We are expecting Kate Forbes to make a statement on the SNP leadership race at about 2pm this afternoon.
12:05 PM BST
Highest number of migrants so far this year cross the Channel in single day
Some 711 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats on Wednesday, the highest number on a single day so far this year, Home Office figures show.
The arrivals bring the total for this year to 8,278, which is 34 per cent higher than the 6,192 at the same point last year and 19 per cent higher than the 6,945 at the same stage in 2022.
Some 14 boats were detected on Wednesday, which suggests an average of around 51 per boat although French coastguards had to rescue one dinghy which had 66 people on board.
You can read the full story here.
11:43 AM BST
Pictured: Sir Ed Davey and his wife Emily Gasson leave a polling station in south west London
11:23 AM BST
Swinney won’t be drawn on job offer for Forbes
John Swinney would not be drawn on which role he could offer Kate Forbes if he wins the SNP leadership.
Asked if he could offer Ms Forbes the role of deputy first minister, he replied: “I think we are getting a bit ahead of ourselves.”
He added: “We will come to all of these questions in due course.”
11:18 AM BST
Swinney wants Forbes to be ‘senior participant in Team SNP’
John Swinney said he wanted Kate Forbes to be a “senior participant in Team SNP”.
The former deputy first minister of Scotland told reporters: “In terms of Kate Forbes, I don’t think I could have been clearer, that I want Kate Forbes to be part of Team SNP and a very involved senior participant in Team SNP.
“Of course I have had discussions with Kate. She is a colleague. She is a friend. Why on earth would I not have conversations with Kate Forbes?
“Kate will obviously speak for herself about her plans and her intentions. She has to hear what I have got to say as well.”
11:05 AM BST
SNP can be ‘force for good’ if it ‘gets its act together’, says Swinney
John Swinney said that if the SNP can “get its act together” it can be a “formidable force for good”.
Asked by reporters what he believed was wrong with the SNP at the moment, Mr Swinney said: “What I am absolutely certain about is if the SNP gets its act together it will be a formidable force for good in Scotland and a formidable force for success in Scotland as well.
“That is what I offer.”
11:01 AM BST
‘I am no caretaker leader’, vows Swinney
John Swinney said he had no intention of being a “caretaker” leader of the SNP.
He told his campaign launch event in Edinburgh: “People will ask how long will I be around. I am no caretaker. I am no interim leader.”
Mr Swinney said he intended to lead the party at the next general election and beyond the 2026 Holyrood elections.
“Two contests which I intend to win for the SNP and for Scotland,” he said.
10:55 AM BST
SNP’s approach at Holyrood ‘will have to change’, says Swinney
John Swinney said the SNP’s approach at Holyrood will “have to change” given its status as a minority administration.
He said the party will have to “work to seek common ground in the Scottish Parliament in the interests of the public and of good governance”.
He said: “That means our approach in parliment will have to change. To listen. To compromise. To work with all other political parties.”
10:49 AM BST
Swinney issues direct plea to Forbes to serve under his leadership
John Swinney issued a direct plea to Kate Forbes to serve under his leadership.
He said: “We have many talented people leading the work of the Scottish Government. I want Kate Forbes to play a significant part in that team.
“She is an intelligent, creative, thoughtful person who has much to contribute to our national life and if elected I will make sure that Kate is able to make that contribution.”
10:46 AM BST
SNP ‘not as cohesive as it needs to be’, warns Swinney
The SNP is “not as cohesive as it needs to be” to deliver Scottish independence, John Swinney said.
He told a leadership launch event in Edinburgh: “Today I have to accept that my party is not as cohesive as it needs to be to achieve all of that.
“That has to change. I could have stood back and hoped others would sort things out but I care too much about the future of Scotland and the Scottish National Party to walk on by.”
Mr Swinney said he believed he has the skills to “bring the SNP back together again”.
10:40 AM BST
Swinney pledges to lead from ‘moderate centre-left of Scottish politics’
John Swinney said there was a “huge amount that the SNP has achieved” in government and “SNP policies transform lives”.
The former deputy first minister of Scotland said: “Only the SNP stand where the majority of people want their government to be, in the moderate centre-left of Scottish politics.
“That is where I stand and if elected by my party and buy parliament, my goals as first minister will come straight from that centre-left tradition. The pursuit of economic growth and social justice.”
10:33 AM BST
Swinney announces bid for SNP leadership
John Swinney has announced he is running to be Humza Yousaf’s replacement as leader of the SNP.
Delivering a statement at a campaign launch event in Edinburgh, Mr Swinney said: “I want to build on the work of the SNP Government to create a modern, diverse, dynamic Scotland that will ensure opportunity for all of her citizens.
“I want to unite the SNP and unite Scotland for independence.”
10:16 AM BST
Supporters gather for Swinney leadership launch
Supporters have started gathering for the launch of John Swinney’s SNP leadership campaign in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, writes Simon Johnson, The Telegraph’s Scottish political editor.
Compared to recent SNP launches, it appears a low budget affair with a piece of card stuck to a lectern stating “John Swinney Uniting for Independence”.
Mr Swinney will pitch himself as a unity candidate who can bring the party’s warring factions together ahead of what promises to be a difficult general election.
Kate Forbes will issue a statement this afternoon on whether she is standing. There is increasing speculation she will stand aside and instead take a senior position in Mr Swinney’s Cabinet.
However, her official spokesman insisted this morning she was yet to reach a decision.
A third candidate could emerge ahead of Monday’s midday deadline if they strongly feel there should be a contest rather than a coronation. However, Ms Forbes stepping aside would make a Swinney victory appear inevitable.
10:12 AM BST
YouGov poll: Tories fall to lowest level of support in five years
The Conservative Party has fallen to its lowest level of support in five years, according to a new poll published by YouGov.
A survey conducted between April 30 and May 1 put the Tories on 18 per cent of the vote and Labour on 44 per cent.
The Tories were down by two points and Labour was down by one point when compared to the company’s previous poll conducted between April 23-24.
YouGov said the Tories’ 18 per cent figure “represents the lowest Conservative vote share of this Parliament - the last time we recorded a lower vote share for the Tories was in the tumult around the 2019 European Parliament elections”.
Meanwhile, Reform UK was up by two points to 15 per cent, the Lib Dems were up by one point to 10 per cent and the Greens were up by one point to 8 per cent.
Tory vote share now lower than under Liz Truss in our latest VI (30 Apr - 1 May)
Con: 18% (-2 from 23-24 Apr)
Lab: 44% (-1)
Reform UK: 15% (+2)
Lib Dem: 10% (+1)
Green: 8% (+1)
SNP: 2% (-1)https://t.co/9hC6X6pLs6 pic.twitter.com/gr8S0Lri6k— YouGov (@YouGov) May 2, 2024
09:46 AM BST
Kate Forbes expected to make statement on SNP leadership race
Kate Forbes is to make a statement later today on whether she will run for the SNP leadership, according to the PA news agency.
Ms Forbes, a former finance secretary, confirmed earlier this week that she was weighing up another run at the top job after the resignation of Humza Yousaf on Monday.
Her announcement will come in the hours after John Swinney announces his own plans. He is expected to say he is running.
09:38 AM BST
Car turned into temporary makeshift polling station in Cambridge
Early morning voters in Cambridge had the unusual experience of casting their vote from a car boot this morning, after polling station staff could not get into the local library, writes Genevieve Holl-Allen.
Cambridge Electoral Services wrote on Twitter at 7:14am that they had “problems getting into” Milton Road Library, so voters “get to experience the rare sight of voting from the back of a car”.
They added: “Hopefully we’ll be in soon but for now our polling staff are doing a great job ensuring early voters can still cast their vote!”
The electoral services team shared a photograph of a car with its boot open, with the polling station sign draped along the side and the windows covered by polling information.
Robert Pollock, the chief executive of Cambridge City Council, said that it was “innovation in action” writing on Twitter: “A kind local resident (offered) tables and chairs.”
The polling station in the library was opened by 8:15am.
Voters at Milton Road Library get to experience the rare sight of voting from the back of a car as we've had problems getting into the building … hopefully we'll be in soon but for now our polling staff are doing a great job ensuring early voters can still cast their vote! pic.twitter.com/W4u0usV7QL
— Cambridge Electoral Services (@votecambridge) May 2, 2024
09:28 AM BST
Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer and wife Victoria arrive at polling station in north London
09:23 AM BST
Front-runners to replace Humza Yousaf hold secret talks
Secret talks have taken place between the two front-runners to replace Humza Yousaf as Scottish first minister, it has emerged amid claims that neither of them want to “seize the poisoned chalice”.
John Swinney and Kate Forbes held a meeting at the Scottish Parliament to discuss whether they could thrash out an agreement that could avoid a bitter SNP leadership contest.
The Scottish Sun reported that Ms Forbes did “not rule out” accepting a senior position in a Swinney government. However, no agreement was reached.
She confirmed the meeting had taken place but insisted it was merely a “courtesy”. The former finance secretary also hinted she would finally disclose on Thursday whether she had decided to stand, indicating the public would find out “soon”.
You can read the full story here.
09:10 AM BST
Pictured: Sadiq Khan and wife Saadiya Khan arrive at a polling station in south London
08:53 AM BST
#DogsAtPollingStations: Cinna, an 8-year-old rescue dog, arrives at a polling station in south London
08:49 AM BST
Poll of the week: Who should succeed Humza Yousaf?
As John Swinney is expected to officially announce his leadership bid later this morning, Telegraph readers have been debating whether he or Kate Forbes should be the next leader of the SNP.
You can read what readers have said about the potential candidates and cast your vote here.
08:39 AM BST
Pictured: A man arrives at The Bank View Cafe polling station in Langsett, Stocksbridge
08:25 AM BST
John Swinney expected to announce SNP leadership bid
John Swinney, the former deputy first minister of Scotland, is expected to formally announce his bid to be the next leader of the SNP this morning.
He will make a statement in Edinburgh at 10.30am when he will announce he is throwing his hat in the ring to succeed Humza Yousaf.
08:11 AM BST
Pictured: Tory London mayor hopeful Susan Hall arrives at polling station
08:06 AM BST
Swinney to make statement on SNP leadership race
John Swinney will make a statement later this morning on whether or not he will stand to be the new leader of the SNP.
The former deputy first minister of Scotland has said he is considering a bid for the top job following the resignation of Humza Yousaf.
But he is expected to announce his final decision when he speaks to the press in Edinburgh at 10.30am.
Kate Forbes, a former finance secretary, has also said she is considering a bid for the top job. She came second to Mr Yousaf in last year’s contest.
The deadline for nominations is midday next Monday. Ballots would open on May 13 and close a fortnight later on May 27.
07:42 AM BST
Approximately 2,600 council seats across England up for grabs
Polls are now officially open in the 2024 local elections across England and Wales.
Polling stations opened at 7am and will close at 10pm tonight.
Results will then start to pour in starting in the early hours of Friday morning and stretching into the weekend.
Roughly 2,600 seats across 107 of England’s 317 councils are being contested in the local elections.
07:38 AM BST
Polls open in local elections as Sunak and Starmer face major test
Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer are facing their final major electoral test before their battle for No 10 as millions of people across England and Wales head to the polls in local elections today.
There are more than 100 councils in England up for grabs as well as almost a dozen mayoral contests.
Meanwhile, people in both England and Wales will vote in police and crime commissioner elections. There are no elections in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
It is the last set of local elections before the general election which is expected to be held in the second half of 2024.
