Kate Forbes

Kate Forbes is a Scottish National Party politician who has served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch since 2016. She rose to prominence as a senior minister in the Scottish Government, notably serving as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy from 2020 to 2023 under First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Forbes, a fluent Scottish Gaelic speaker, is a prominent figure within the Scottish Parliament and was a candidate in the 2023 Scottish National Party leadership election.

Early life and education

Born in Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands, she spent part of her childhood in India before returning to Scotland. Forbes was educated at Dingwall Academy and developed fluency in Scottish Gaelic. She studied History at Selwyn College, University of Cambridge, graduating with a first-class degree. She later completed a master's degree in Diaspora studies at the University of Edinburgh. Prior to her political career, she worked for the Free Church of Scotland and in the charitable sector.

Political career

Forbes was elected as an MSP in the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, winning the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency. She was appointed as the Minister for Public Finance, Digital Economy and Migration in 2018 within the Sturgeon government. In February 2020, following the resignation of Derek Mackay, she was promoted to Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, becoming the first woman to hold the finance portfolio in the Scottish Government. In this role, she presented the 2020–21, 2021–22, and 2022–23 budgets. Following Nicola Sturgeon's resignation in 2023, Forbes stood in the subsequent 2023 Scottish National Party leadership election, finishing second to Humza Yousaf. She subsequently declined a position in Yousaf's cabinet and returned to the backbenches.

Political positions

Forbes is associated with the socially conservative wing of the Scottish National Party. She is a member of the Free Church of Scotland and has expressed traditional personal views on social issues such as same-sex marriage and gender recognition. Economically, she has advocated for a focus on sustainable growth, business rates reform, and tackling child poverty. A strong proponent of Scottish independence, she has argued for a distinct economic case for independence, contrasting with the Growth Commission report led by Andrew Wilson. Her stance on issues like the Scottish Green co-operation agreement and net zero policies has at times placed her at odds with other party figures.

Personal life

Forbes is a devout Christian and a member of the Free Church of Scotland. She married Alasdair Maclennan in 2021 in a ceremony in Muir of Ord. The couple's first child was born in August 2022. Forbes is a noted Scottish Gaelic speaker and often uses the language in parliamentary and public settings. Her faith and cultural background are frequently cited as influential in her political outlook and personal life.

Electoral history

*2016 Scottish Parliament election: Elected as MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, defeating Liberal Democrat candidate Angus MacDonald. *2021 Scottish Parliament election: Re-elected with an increased majority for the same constituency, defeating candidates from the Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Labour, and the Scottish Liberal Democrats. *2023 Scottish National Party leadership election: Finished second in the contest to succeed Nicola Sturgeon, receiving 48% of the vote in the final round against winner Humza Yousaf.

Category:1990 births Category:Living people Category:Scottish National Party MSPs Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch Category:Alumni of the University of Cambridge Category:Alumni of the University of Edinburgh Category:People from Dingwall Category:Scottish Gaelic speakers