Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Scottish politician Kate Forbes. Alamy Stock Photo

Poll shows controversial Scottish political candidate front runner for leadership among voters

Despite the findings of the Panelbase poll the leadership will be decided by SNP members rather than the electorate at large.

KATE FORBES, WHO received criticism over her conservative views on social issues, is the preferred candidate for the next SNP leader and first minister among Scottish voters, a poll has suggested.

Forbes, the Finance Secretary, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and former minister Ash Regan are bidding to become the next SNP leader and first minister.

In the Panelbase poll for the Sunday Times, 23% said they would like Forbes to be the next SNP leader, with 15% saying so for Yousaf and 7% saying so for Regan.

Forbes, a member of the Free Church of Scotland, lost some of her high profile supporters in the leadership contest after she said she would not have voted for gay marriage.

Equal marriage was made legal in Scotland in 2014 with an overwhelming majority of 105 votes to 18. Forbes was not elected until 2016.

She has now said that having children outside of marriage “would be wrong according to my faith” and is something she would personally “seek to avoid”.

Asked her views on this, she told Sky News that having a child out of wedlock “would be wrong according to my faith”, but stressed it was a choice for people to make in a free society.

Forbes had also said she would not have voted for same-sex marriage if she had been in Holyrood when the legislation was passed, with these comments seeing her lose the support of some high-profile backers.

Despite the fall out she said she was committed to continuing with her campaign. 

The response of “don’t know” was on 49% in answer to this question.

A total of 1,026 voters in Scotland were polled between February 21 and 24.

composite-photo-of-left-to-right-ash-regan-humza-yousaf-and-kate-forbes-who-have-all-secured-sufficient-backing-to-put-their-names-on-the-ballot-to-be-the-next-snp-leader-and-scottish-first-minis Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf, and Kate Forbes, who have all secured sufficient backing to put their names on the ballot to be the next SNP leader and Scottish first minister. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

However, the contest will be decided by a vote of SNP members rather than voters at large.

The poll also asked voters about the candidates’ performance in their ministerial roles in terms of whether they were doing a good or bad job.

Yousaf was on minus 16 in this regard.

Speaking to Sky’s Sophy Ridge show, he said: “Any health secretary in the midst of a global pandemic is going to face the challenges that we’re facing up here in Scotland.

“In fact, those long waits (in hospitals) are replicated in Conservative-led England or Labour-run Wales.

“So, those are common problems faced right across the UK.”

He said the health service in Scotland had avoided strike action because he had “reached out” and engaged with trade unions, and a compromise had been reached.

Close
29 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Skillington
    Favourite Tony Skillington
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 6:53 PM

    Cudda wudda shudda Philly…another pathetic mess.

    107
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Carroll
    Favourite Peter Carroll
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:08 PM

    Statement of the BLEDDING OBVIOUS ….. Incompetent …. ” sure they’ll know they’ve no wTer when they turn on the tap “”"” FOOLS COUKDNT ORGANISE A PISS UP IN GUINNESS

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Campbell
    Favourite Mark Campbell
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:24 PM

    Pathetic is right,highest paid public sector workers in Europe and this is what we get for it.

    59
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Favourite Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 8:12 PM

    Agreed, Mark. Instead of highly paid public sector workers, like teachers on jobbridge, we should have low paid private sector workers like Quinn, Fingleton, Drumm, etc. Because they’re honest, decent, incorruptible, hard working people with the interests of the people at their hearts.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Campbell
    Favourite Mark Campbell
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 11:30 PM

    Yeah and was it the public sector banking regulator that allowed it all to happen. Then rode off into the sunset with a fat lump sum and pension?

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Petr Tarasov
    Favourite Petr Tarasov
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 11:33 PM

    @Mark

    PWNED!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RP McMurphy
    Favourite RP McMurphy
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:08 PM

    Good man Phil….couldn’t be bothered communicating it correctly he’s so used to just telling whoever what to do! The most ignorant, self-obsessed man I have ever had the misfortune to have worked with. Only the threat of business’ refusing to pay water rates is in the offing, we would not have heard from him! He is THE original Irish ‘let them eat cake’ sort of man-een bully.

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ben Reilly
    Favourite Ben Reilly
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:45 PM

    The pictures of him off boozing with his “Personal assistant” whilst the household charge was being introduced says it all really!

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute 'Bull' Mick Daly
    Favourite 'Bull' Mick Daly
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 6:33 PM

    People asleep on the job,they blamed recent wet weather!!!! Are they for real!!

    86
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rory O'Brien
    Favourite Rory O'Brien
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:20 PM

    HOLD ON! He reckons that the communication was handled badly! This from the biggest PR UNFRIENDY AND INEPPT buffoon in Leinster house !

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Mc
    Favourite Paul Mc
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:34 PM

    All the special advisors these ministers have and he Hogan comes out with that crap.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AICS (Steve Tracey)
    Favourite AICS (Steve Tracey)
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 6:59 PM

    They cock it up, don’t plan and then send Phil “clueless” Hogan out to apologise and make things better, what a brilliant choice. Keep going boys you’re making things worse every minute.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JayTee
    Favourite JayTee
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 6:51 PM

    The government was warned years ago….hypocrites

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Clinton
    Favourite Mike Clinton
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 6:30 PM

    “It’s their fault, they created the mess and we have to make difficult decisions”.. So there !!!!

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute legoman❗
    Favourite legoman❗
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 9:13 PM

    If it’s yellow let it mellow if it’s brown flush it down.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fergal Reid
    Favourite Fergal Reid
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 6:46 PM

    What IS the problem?

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Little Jim
    Favourite Little Jim
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 6:51 PM

    We have to wait for a grown-up to have a look.

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mcgoo
    Favourite mcgoo
    Report
    Nov 1st 2013, 12:28 AM

    Ultimately it’s a network that loses 40-50% of what it produces. The problem is silt apparently.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barry Ryan
    Favourite Barry Ryan
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:19 PM

    They say that about everything! Well… everything could have been handled better. Selfish, me fein, corruprt, deluded, out of touch with the people and scary idiot’s running the Country!

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TheIrishBrain
    Favourite TheIrishBrain
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:14 PM

    The water is too wet in Ireland

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Hayes
    Favourite Robert Hayes
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:22 PM

    It’s the wrong type of water…….
    Pathetic shower of over -paid ,under -worked shower of wasters.
    Take them all out and dump them in the sewage treatment plant in Ringsend.
    Maybe that is out of service also.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Mc Carney
    Favourite Frank Mc Carney
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 8:19 PM

    Doubt if it could handle that much s**t

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Roddie Cleere
    Favourite Roddie Cleere
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:59 PM

    Resign

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Campbell
    Favourite Mark Campbell
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:28 PM

    Oh if only we had accountability in this country,nobody ever resigns and they will just let the latest storm blow over. Probably give themselves an increment for dealing with the stress of it all.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AICS (Steve Tracey)
    Favourite AICS (Steve Tracey)
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:34 PM

    Mark, this comment is needless, of course they will it goes without saying

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Mc Carney
    Favourite Frank Mc Carney
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 8:15 PM

    Yes DCC certainly made a cock up BUT
    Hogan master communicator criticising them —— well that sure is the pot calling the kettle black. Who is responsible for cock up over 2014 property tax payments??? Oh yes Hogan you indeed are the master communicator or perhaps bullshitter might be more apt.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute susanna smyth
    Favourite susanna smyth
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 8:42 PM

    This is the kind of third world service that scares companies thinking of setting up to do business in Ireland and his thick rhetoric on air today shows we ‘re not progressing but going backwards

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sharon Obrien
    Favourite Sharon Obrien
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:34 PM

    We are drinking this shit and there could be anything wrong with it,if they dont know what the problem is how do they know its safe for us to use.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
    Favourite Leslie Alan Rock
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:20 PM

    And if me aunty had b**** she’d be me uncle

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Griffin
    Favourite Mary Griffin
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:34 PM

    Phil Hogan says it was handled badly. He must have gone to Communications Clinic lately so as I would have thought he would not have any expertise in this area. If he has he has hidden it well.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Clinton
    Favourite Mike Clinton
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 9:26 PM

    I’m actually surprised the pile of ignorant sh1t hasn’t ordered revenue to look after it.
    Christ, he’s one buffon . Small wonder he can’t show his face in Carlow.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas Maher
    Favourite Thomas Maher
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 8:11 PM

    Well Phil a good place to start handling things properly is by telling the truth and stop hiding it. You want the people who pay you’re wages to be less up set with you well give the true facts we’re growing ups for the most part.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Ryan
    Favourite John Ryan
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 7:32 PM

    Government entered a tug of war competition and got disqualified for pushing

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John
    Favourite John
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 10:04 PM

    There is only one way to settle this political circus and that is for FG/L to resign tomorrow at 9am.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dhakina's Sword
    Favourite Dhakina's Sword
    Report
    Nov 1st 2013, 12:34 AM

    I’d be delighted with that, even if we had to allow them a concession of having a lie in till’ ten, or eleven.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Toby Parker
    Favourite Toby Parker
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 9:46 PM

    Everything this eejit does could have been done better.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cardboard Cut Out
    Favourite Cardboard Cut Out
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 10:50 PM

    Am I being too synical in thinking that the timing of this is priceless…. two months before charges come in. Frighten the sheeples into paying their water charges. We had the hottest, summer in a million years n not a whisper about a water shortage

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DeclanFlynn
    Favourite DeclanFlynn
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 9:04 PM

    How long til Phil decides the best way to solve this water problem is to introduce a new fee of some kind? Maybe a tax on taps or a levy on loos?

    A flush counter could be installed on every toilet in the state. They would wirelessly report your flush usage back to Phil and the Dept of Finance can then deduct it straight from your wages.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Ward
    Favourite John Ward
    Report
    Nov 1st 2013, 12:43 AM

    That bastard Hogan will tax our piss if he can get away with it!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niamh Okelly Odoherty
    Favourite Niamh Okelly Odoherty
    Report
    Nov 1st 2013, 8:02 AM

    Just wondering next year when the water charges come into effect and these goons decide to cut off the water supply can we take them to court for failing to supply a service that we have paid for (probably in advance mind you ) lol

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Mulligan Mull
    Favourite Aidan Mulligan Mull
    Report
    Nov 1st 2013, 3:34 AM

    Just get Garyhinch reservoir on the way i know it’s years away but it would end the problem stop the stalling

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Fitzgerald
    Favourite John Fitzgerald
    Report
    Nov 2nd 2013, 12:24 PM

    Like you did with LPT Phil

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Gorry
    Favourite Martin Gorry
    Report
    Nov 1st 2013, 12:51 PM

    This man is unfit for public office. He is appears to struggle with the simplest task.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Squires
    Favourite Robert Squires
    Report
    Oct 31st 2013, 11:36 PM

    You will never run dry when you have a RainShed Harvesting water supply .

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds