The SNP is beginning to tear itself apart

You could be excused for not expecting much from the first TV broadcast of the SNP leadership race. The hustings have so far remained civil and their content relatively repetitive. Everyone’s been very nice and, as recently as last Friday, even spent valuable time politely discussing their opponents’ best qualities. So last night’s fiery debate was an unexpected, yet welcome, surprise. All smiles from the start, the discussion fast faded into a venomous clash — a first in the contest, but also for today’s SNP.

For Kate Forbes especially, the gloves came off. ‘More of the same,’ Forbes announced during her introductory speech, ‘is not a manifesto. It’s an acceptance of mediocrity. We can do better.’ Not only a swipe at ‘continuity candidate’ Humza Yousaf, Forbes surprised viewers with such a conspicuous dig at current First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her SNP.