FORMER SNP MP Angus MacNeil has said that he would rejoin the party if Kate Forbes were ever to become leader.
The MP was expelled earlier this month after he was given an initial one-week suspension from the party’s Westminster group following a public clash with chief whip Brendan O’Hara.
He then refused to re-join the group, claiming he would only do so when the SNP showed urgency on independence.
MacNeil said he believed Forbes (below) would be a “unifying force with a focus on independence” and argued that she would win a leadership contest if a vote were held today.
In an interview with the West Highland Free Press, Forbes admitted she would be “incredibly reluctant” to stand again but added: “The only reason I would not say never is – who can control the way circumstances unfold.
“The membership made their decision, and I am not sore about it. I respect democracy. The only thing that exercises me is that I think it is high time we had a Highlander at the helm.”
Asked if he would consider re-joining the SNP under Forbes’s leadership, MacNeil told the Daily Record: “Yes, I think she would be a unifying force with a focus on independence. Some leaders led for 20 years without expulsions and were clear about independence – while others have not managed 20 weeks without expelling people and are clueless about steps to independence.
READ MORE: Angus MacNeil and Alex Salmond to meet to discuss Yes path
“I’m confident that Kate is now the members’ choice – and if that was tested it would be found correct – after all democracy is a process not an event.”
Forbes lost the SNP leadership contest earlier this year to Humza Yousaf, winning 48% of the vote and rejecting a job in the Scottish Cabinet.
She previously said she was “highly, highly unlikely” to run again and that she had “not just dodged a bullet, but perhaps something even more explosive than that”.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel