Following Nicola Sturgeon’s unexpected decision to step down as Scottish First Minister after nine years last week, the SNP are in search of a successor. With several candidates in the running to take up the mantle, we are taking a look at the last next Scottish First Minister odds to see who the bookmakers have pegged as their favourite.
Culture secretary Angus Robertson, who was made the favourite after Sturgeon’s announcement, withdrew his name from contention earlier this week to hand a major boost for the rest of the candidacy pool.
In light of that development, current health secretary Humza Yousaf has emerged a clear favourite according to the latest odds. With a similar political profile to his potential predecessor, Yousaf’s stance on everything from same-sex marriage to abortion clinic buffer zones mirrors that of Sturgeon, making him a natural favourite for the vacant office.
Although a host of names have been touted, a two-horse race now appears likely with Kate Forbes the closest challenger to Yousaf’s run at first minister.
At 32, a successful campaign would see her become the youngest first minister in the nation’s history, and the current finance secretary, who is cutting her maternity leave short to focus on becoming Sturgeon’s successor, has many admirers within the party. Amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, the socially conservative candidate claims Scotland needs someone with a “grip on our economy and our finances”.
Elsewhere, Ash Regan remains firmly in the frame for the leadership – although perhaps not as clear cut a choice compared to the two frontrunners, the SNP rebel represents those who took issue with several of Sturgeon’s policies, and she herself quit as community safety minister in protest of the Gender Recognition Reform bill.
Regan has also offered to work with Alex Salmond’s breakaway Alba party, although as the leadership contest rumbles on, most observers deem her as an outsider at this moment in time.
Next Scottish First Minister Odds
- Humza Yousaf – 2/5
- Kate Forbes – 5/2
- Ash Regan – 4/1
- Mairi McAllan – 10/1
- Mhairi Black – 12/1
Other Content You May Like
- Football Betting Tips 2023 – Latest Picks & Football Tips
- Best Free Bets Offers At UK Sportsbooks – Top Bonuses For 2023
- Football Accumulator Tips 2023 – Latest Acca Betting Tips
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
