JOHN Swinney’s Scottish Government must act to address concerns people will have at his appointment of Kate Forbes as Deputy First Minister, the Scottish Greens have said.
Patrick Harvie, the Green co-leader who served as a government minister under both Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, claimed many Scots "will be concerned" about Forbes’s appointment to the top role given her socially conservative views.
In the SNP leadership election in 2023, which Yousaf ultimately won, Forbes faced criticism for her views on gay marriage and on whether people should be having children out of wedlock.
Harvie said the SNP Deputy First Minister had expressed "quite startlingly social conservative views".
READ MORE: What are Kate Forbes's views on same-sex marriage and abortion?
In a statement issued after her appointment to Swinney’s government, he said: “There will be many people across our country who will be very concerned and who will want to know that this Scottish Government remains committed to a greener and more equal future for Scotland.
“When it comes to delivering fairer and more progressive taxation, a just transition from oil and gas and a watertight ban on so-called conversion therapy, it is vital that this government does not dilute the long-standing commitments that it has made.
“These are the values that the Scottish Greens remain committed to and that we will work for every day. The Scotland that we want to build is one where everyone is free to be themselves and where climate action is at the forefront of our politics.
“The First Minister must lay out his programme and his vision for Scotland, and where these values lie within it.”
— Patrick Harvie 🇪🇺🌈 (@patrickharvie) May 8, 2024
Harvie posted a picture of a “no right turn” sign on social media – an apparent warning for the new Government not to shift its policies to the right.
The Scottish Green co-leader further told The National: "With the Scottish Tories targeting a fantastic organisation like LGBT Youth Scotland just as others down south have done with Stonewall, the appointment of a Deputy First Minister with deeply conservative views, and a wave of hostility toward our community in much of the media, it’s essential that progressive voices are heard now, to prevent Scotland regressing to the toxic values of the past."
Former finance secretary Forbes was the first to arrive at Bute House – Swinney’s official residence – in Edinburgh on Wednesday as he put together his top table.
In a statement, she said: “I am deeply honoured to accept John’s invitation to be his Deputy First Minister.
“This is a moment of extraordinary privilege for me. Having previously served in Cabinet, I know the duty that all ministers have to reflect the Government’s priorities and the missions that drive them.
“I look forward to working with John and Cabinet colleagues, delivering for the people of Scotland and building a better country.”
Swinney said: “I am very pleased to appoint Kate as Deputy First Minister and look forward to working with her in this new Government.
“She is an immensely talented politician, and her new role will prove critical as we focus on our key commitments of eradicating child poverty, investing in public services and supporting economic growth.”
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