KIRSTY Blackman has become the latest SNP politician to rule themselves out of the running to be the party’s next depute leader.
In an exclusive column for the National, the Aberdeen North MP said she was “not the right person” for the job.
Blackman said she simply wouldn’t have the time to do the job justice.
“It is an honour to be mentioned for this role, but I have a job to do in Westminster. I need to support Ian Blackford and the Westminster group and I need to represent my constituents and my city,” she wrote, adding: “I could not dedicate the time to the role that it needs.”
So far just two people have put themselves forward to replace Angus Robertson: MSP James Dornan and Julie Hepburn, an SNP activist.
As well as Blackman, Derek Mackay, Pete Wishart, Alex Salmond, Ian Blackford, Alyn Smith, and Transport Secretary Humza Yousaf have all ruled themselves out.
Edinburgh MP Tommy Sheppard is currently the bookies’ favourite to become the SNP’s new number two though earlier this week he was keeping his cards close to his chest.
Joanna Cherry, Ivan McKee and Phillipa Whitford have also all been named as possible contenders.
Nominations for the role have yet to open, and it’s widely expected the result will be announced at the SNP’s spring conference in Aberdeen this June.
In her column Blackman describes the role as pivotal in the build up to any second referendum on Scottish independence.
She tells readers: “I genuinely think that the choice we make here could ensure we win the
next independence referendum.”
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