YOUNG independence supporters have backed Humza Yousaf as their favourite for SNP leader after a survey was sent out to candidates.
Both the Health Secretary and Kate Forbes provided answers to the consultation by Young Scots for Independence – the youth wing of the SNP.
Ash Regan, however, did not respond and there have been fears expressed by the group whether she “understands” young people’s concerns as a result.
Comments offered up by members suggest they are most impressed by Yousaf’s plan for leadership, saying he “best understands the concerns of young members” and his answers were a “step above” in offering “ambition and motivation” to younger members.
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Forbes was, however, deemed to have given “genuinely good answers” to questions and both were praised for showing support for Gillian Mackay’s Safe Access Zones Bill to implement buffer zones around abortion clinics.
Josh Traynor from Glasgow said he regarded Yousaf as being the top candidate due to his commitment to take on Westminster over its block on gender reforms.
He said: “I was most impressed by Humza’s responses. He is unequivocal that he will challenge Westminster’s Section 35, while Kate says she will await advice.
“Humza is clear that he will not only defend the rights of minorities—but advance them.
“Humza best understands the concerns of young members, shown by his commitment to sustaining the Government’s socially progressive direction.
“I don’t know if Ash [Regan] understands our concerns because she didn’t bother to respond.”
Another member said he was impressed with both candidates’ responses across the board stressing they took the youth wing into consideration.
Jacob Ross said: “I am extremely interested in what the candidates think about the North Sea and oil.
“Aberdeen has been decimated already so a properly developed transition away is important to me. I understand, for climate reasons, why people want to shift away quickly but we also need to be observant of the effects on the area and the citizens that would be affected by the change.
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“Independence and unity is also key for the party and I believe the YSI in general.
"I think that Humza’s and Kate’s answers are both genuinely good answers and take the youth wing of the party into consideration as they should. But I do however believe that Humza’s answers are just the step above offering ambition and motivation to the younger members.”
In his survey responses, Yousaf said the blocking of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill was an “affront” to trans rights and Scottish democracy and would challenge the move, while he vowed to protect and support LGBT+ rights.
Forbes insisted the UK Government should not overturn Scottish legislation and would commit to challenge the block if legal advice suggests the Scottish Government would be successful.
The Finance Secretary added she would “defend to the hilt” the rights of everyone in Scotland, but particularly minorities.
Regan has said she would ditch the legislation if she won the contest.
Yousaf added he would put the government in “fifth gear” to publish the rest of its papers making the case for independence and “empower members” to decide the route forward.
On how he would deal with elected officials breaking the party whip, he said: “I have shown that I can bridge divides, bring people together, and compromise where necessary or where agreement cannot be found, ensure that disagreements are respectful and not personal. I will take the exact same approach to uniting the party.”
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He committed to attending the next YSI conference if he is elected leader and promised young voices would have a “significant role” in shaping the future manifestos.
On building support for independence, Forbes said: “We have a large membership with over 100,000 people, reflective of the diversity of the Scottish people and full of talent. We know how to persuade others, and policy must be built from the ground up.
“It cannot be determined just by those in government, or just by SNP leaders. It must be determined by our members the length and breadth of the country and I am committed to listening and acting on the suggestions of the membership.”
On North Sea oil and gas exploration, Yousaf and Forbes said they were both committed to a just transition away from fossil fuels to net zero and are keen to get the pace of this right so as not to compromise energy security or jobs.
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