The Scottish National Party (SNP) has begun the search for a new leader to replace Nicola Sturgeon, who shocked the political establishment on Wednesday when she suddenly resigned as Scotland’s First Minister.
While there is no obvious candidate to succeed her, potential candidates include Scotland’s Finance Secretary, Kate Forbes; External Affairs Secretary, Angus Robertson; Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf; and Deputy First Minister, John Swinney.
Swinney was the SNP’s leader between 2000 and 2004 but stepped down after disappointing results in that year’s European elections. He handed the party leadership back to Alex Salmond, whom he had succeeded.
Salmond stayed in charge until 2014—when he handed over to Sturgeon—and led the party during the 2013 independence referendum, when 55 percent of Scots voted to remain within the United Kingdom….