Votes have just closed. They're using the Alternative Vote method for the vote, which is cool. Obviously not a super democratic way of choosing a new first minister, with a vote from SNP members, but it was good enough for the Tories. I've not been following along but from my understanding the nominees are:
- Kate Forbes, who's really bad. She got a lot of coverage, but also a lot of criticism.
- Ash Regan, who's not as bad (but she's not good)
- Humza Yousaf, who seems like the best choice.
Humza Yousaf seems to have more endorsements from SNP MSPs and MPs, followed by Kate Forbes. In polls of SNP members, Hamza Yousaf was leading, but in polls of 2021 SNP voters and the general Scottish public, Kate Forbes was leading. Ash Regan seems to be unlikely to win, but she does seem to be the moderate candidate (balanced between being good and bad) so maybe.
I think my tarot cards are telling me that Kate Forbes will win. 🔮