The problem with Kate Forbes

Kate Forbes has perhaps been the most headline grabbing of the candidates for first minister. Throughout the last week she has echoed several regressive sentiments towards issues of identity which many have found surprising for an SNP minster. Under sturgeon, the SNP appeared as quite a liberal/left of centre party but with Forbes announcing her views on things this seems like it may not be the case. Described as a “tartan tory” by internet users, Forbes opinions and her expression of them border on political suicide. 

The most obvious of her stances would be on the matter of gay marriage. In an interview with the Scotsman, Forbes said she ‘would not have voted for gay marriage.’ In the same interview she described herself as a ‘servant of democracy’. The way her argument is framed, it seems as if she respects its status as legal in Scotland but does not in fact support it on a moral level. This is perhaps unsurprising when you look at her religious affiliation. Forbes is a member of The Free Church of Scotland, an evangelical organisation with many regressive stances. This include but are not limited to anti-abortion, Anti same sex marriage as well as opposing the ban on conversion therapy.  

Kate Forbes and Humza Yousaf during the SNP leadership hustings at the University of Strathclyde

Forbes has shown her true colours to the trans community in a sky news debate where she agreed with the statement that known transphobe JK Rowling is a “national hero”. She went on to describe her as “Brave” and said that she does not disagree with JK Rowling on the issue of transgender rights. She has also said to ITV: “I believe that a trans woman is a biological male who identifies as a woman.” She even faces fire from inside her own party. SNP MP John Nicolson described her as a “religious fundamentalist”. 

She has also said that although she thinks that coercive conversion therapy is “abhorrent” she still thinks that if an LGBT person to go through conversion therapy that it is their choice. SNP MP Mhairi Black responded to this saying: “You can never really consent to it. 

“It sort of misses the whole point of banning conversion therapy in the first place. 

“I want to see all sorts of conversion therapy banned — a ban means a complete ban for me.” 

Despite all this Forbes has stated that she has no interest in ‘imposing my views on other people.’