The SNP establishment – the Sturgeonites – are trying to give the SNP membership an offer they can’t refuse. Swallow your doubts and just vote as you are told: that is, for Humza Yousaf. If you don’t, beware the consequences: a split in the party, the collapse of the Green coalition, the departure of key figures and even the loss of government itself.
A number of ministers, including Nicola Sturgeon’s closest ally, social justice secretary, Shona Robison, are saying they would have trouble serving in a government led by Kate Forbes. In other words, if Humza loses they’ll take their support away.
Nationalists like the former SNP minister, Marco Biagi, have been ramping up the warnings about a split on social media. Biagi has even suggested that the Scottish parliament might fail to endorse Kate Forbes as First Minister of Scotland because of MSPs’ revulsion at her views on gay marriage and abortion. It’s a new SNP version of Project Fear. Après
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