THE exit of Nicola Sturgeon was always going to cause damage to SNP. Her unique ability to be both ordinary and politically adept does not come easy to most politicians and a comparable replacement is not on offer, as is evident from the candidate shortlist. The extent of the damage to the party and the independence movement as a whole now rests in the hands of SNP members. No matter who is elected they will undoubtedly face the same barrage of media negativity heaped upon their characters, as was the case with Nicola Sturgeon.

For myself I cannot see any way forward with Kate Forbes electorally. Personally, I couldn’t care less what religion she is devoted to but politicians are judged by their words and actions and this is where I am deeply concerned.

READ MORE: Kate Forbes puts out statement on 'hurt' caused amid equalities row

She states she wouldn’t challenge the Section 35 order in court. So, the response to a UK Government dismissing Scottish democracy with a flick of Alister Jack’s wrist is absolutely zilch. Great start. This time round the dismissal may be convenient as it keeps in line with her “beliefs”. What about the time after that and the time after that, when other issues arise which she does deem important? Is this the inspiring leadership we need to take on the British establishment?

It may well falter judicially, but at least Humza Yousaf is up for having a go and ruffling some feathers rather than meekly retreating back to Jock Corner.

Secondly, let’s examine the electorate who have been consistently loyal to SNP over the last decade or so. Most are not members and many basically lend their vote to the party.

How many will be instantly driven away by the notion of voting for someone who proudly admits they are against same-sex marriage? She says she wouldn’t seek to repeal equal marriage but is that really meant to be comforting to the millions of voters whose partners, friends and family are members of the LGBT community?

Roe v Wade comes to mind. It would be far more reassuring voting for someone who categorically didn’t hold such archaic views from the dark ages in the first place. Pro-choice voters will equally be scrambling to move their cross to another box. The successful arrangement with the Green Party will undoubtedly come to an end – and don’t kid yourself that the Unionists won’t make capital out of that mistake.

WATCH: Nicola Sturgeon: Douglas Ross 'sounding scared' of Humza Yousaf

Humza Yousaf may not be the ideal candidate but we certainly have a chance to regroup and re-strategise under his watch.

Warnings have correctly been voiced of the ramifications of pulling the party to the right. Whilst Forbes’s demeanour is calm, there is no doubt some of her rhetoric would sit comfortably with the “MAGA”-howling Trump supporters we rightly deride.

Kate Forbes is a reasonably confident media performer but that is only one consideration to be made and it does not stop her from being an electoral liability. It will be a long way back for independence if she is elected as leader.

Alan Black
Paisley

AS well as shocking us all last week by unexpectedly resigning, Nicola Sturgeon also inadvertently allowed the UK Government to get away with further criticism over the appalling colonial crime it committed by forcibly removing Chagos Islanders from their home country in 1965, as part of a dodgy deal with Mauritius (rewarded with independence) which facilitated the building of the US military base (still there) on Diego Garcia.

Human Rights Watch published its damning report last Wednesday on the continuing crimes against humanity perpetrated by the UK against the Chagossians – forcibly displaced from their homeland, prevented from returning home and persecuted for their race and ethnicity.

READ MORE: SNP leader race timetable gives next FM 'leeway' on Section 35

The UN's highest court, the International Court of Justice, had previously ruled against the UK, stating it had acted unlawfully.

Of course, the UK Government has responded with characteristic arrogance, declaring the UN ruling was advisory only, and not recognising the UK’s action as being colonial or indeed unlawful.

What makes the UK response even more shameful and hypocritical is the outpouring of outrage by PM Sunak last week in which he (completely correctly, of course) condemned the appalling behaviour of Russia in their terrible war against Ukraine. Sunak has no moral ground upon which to stand in this, when he leads the UK Government which continues to deny the removal by force of an entire population from their homes, the handing over of their islands to the US military, and the imposition of permanent exile on the indigenous islanders. Genocide, in effect (the culture and traditions of the Chagossian people may well not survive much longer, and many have died thousands of miles from their homeland, never to return).

I long for the day when an independent Scotland can reach out to the Chagossian people and help them recover from this appalling injustice.

Tim Warner
via email

ON Wednesday I noticed you supplied a lengthy quote on your live feed at 1.27pm from Kemi Badenoch, an English MP on the right of the Conservative and Unionist Party. How do you think quoting someone like this is going to help the members who are currently deciding who to vote for in the SNP leadership election?

READ MORE: Kate Forbes says she'll defend abortion rights despite personal beliefs

Badenoch has spoken out against anti-racists and LGBTQ rights. She opposes everything that an independent Scotland should strive for including equality and fairness. I’m not even sure Kate Forbes would welcome her admiration.

The SNP leadership election should be decided by the candidates and the members of the party without interference from anyone in Westminster.

Paul Packham
via email