Kate Elizabeth Forbes (born 6 April 1990) is a Scottish politician who has served as Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic since May 2024.[1] A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she previously served as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy from 2020 to 2023.[a][b] Forbes has been Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch since 2016.
Born in Dingwall, Scotland, in 1990, Forbes was raised in India and Scotland and was educated at a Scottish Gaelic school, where she became fluent in the language. She earned a BA degree in history at Selwyn College, Cambridge, and then an MSc in diaspora and migration history from the University of Edinburgh. After completing her degree, Forbes worked for a short time in the Scottish Parliament as a researcher for SNP MSP Dave Thompson. Forbes was elected as an MSP in the 2016 Scottish Parliament election and quickly rose within the SNP. Nicola Sturgeon appointed Forbes as the Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy, serving as the deputy to the Scottish Finance Secretary, Derek Mackay. After Mackay resigned, Forbes was appointed Finance Secretary by Sturgeon. Her tenure was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland, and its economic impact, and the cost of living crisis in the UK.
On announcement of Sturgeon's intention to resign as Leader of the SNP and First Minister of Scotland, Forbes announced her candidacy for leader in the 2023 SNP leadership election. This leadership bid drew significant attention due to her membership of the Free Church of Scotland, an evangelical Calvinist denomination with socially conservative positions,[2][3][4] and her religious views on sexual ethics, including disavowal of sexual intercourse before marriage, rejection of same-sex marriage, and opposition to most abortions.[5][6][7] She lost the election to Humza Yousaf, taking 47.9% of the vote to his 52.1% in the final ballot. She subsequently left government to sit as a backbencher.
Following Yousaf's resignation in April 2024, Forbes was touted as a potential candidate to succeed him in the 2024 SNP leadership election but she ultimately chose not to stand and endorsed John Swinney. After Swinney became First Minister in May 2024, he appointed Forbes as Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic in his government.
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^"Cabinet and Ministers - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
^Andrews, Kieran (24 February 2023). "Kate Forbes admits faith views may sink campaign as poll offers hope". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
^Cite error: The named reference :7 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference :8 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Learmouth, Andrew (21 February 2023). "Kate Forbes faces SNP probe over claims she breached party rules on transphobia". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
^McDonald, Andrew (22 February 2023). "Kate Forbes: 48 hours that shot down the SNP's brightest star". Politico Europe. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
^Deerin, Chris (21 February 2023). "Is Kate Forbes's SNP leadership campaign over already?". New Statesman. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
Kate Elizabeth Forbes (born 6 April 1990) is a Scottish politician who has served as Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Economy...
February. Nominations closed on 24 February 2023 with three candidates: KateForbes, Ash Regan, and Humza Yousaf being presented to the electorate of party...
was a key part of the 2023 SNP leadership election, with candidates KateForbes and Ash Regan critical of it, while Humza Yousaf was supportive. Following...
Kieran. "KateForbes quits SNP cabinet after rejecting demotion by Humza Yousaf". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 29 March 2023. "KateForbes leaves...
leadership election. Yousaf defeated challenger KateForbes in the final stage, with 52% of the vote to Forbes' 48%. The leadership election was dominated...
for the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, while his opponents KateForbes and Ash Regan opposed it. As confirmed on 27 March 2023, Yousaf had won...
believed stepping down from the role in favour of KateForbes would help bring the SNP together. Forbes replaced her as Deputy First Minister. In the cabinet...
of photography Lol Crawley, editor Dávid Jancsó, and costume designer KateForbes were announced on March 9, 2023. Production designer Judy Becker was...
Scottish Parliament debate about his opposition to the appointment of KateForbes as Deputy First Minister of Scotland. Davidson, Jenni (6 May 2016). "Youngest...
leader and First Minister. 20 February – Scotland's Finance Secretary, KateForbes, announces she is running in the Scottish National Party leadership election...
During the campaign, opposition parties, as well as rival candidate KateForbes, criticised his record in government. Despite being unpopular among polling...
2016. Gensler, Lauren. "Coach Is Buying Kate Spade For $2.4 Billion". Forbes. Retrieved May 19, 2017. "Meet Kate & Andy Spade's New Venture, Frances Valentine"...
Gazette. Retrieved 20 February 2023. "SNP leadership debate: Humza Yousaf, KateForbes and Ash Regan set out visions for Scotland — as it happened". The Guardian...
The current president of the IFRC is KateForbes (USA). As of 2024[update], the president of the IFRC is KateForbes (USA). The vice presidents are Mr Bolaji...
Norris, Miranda (3 December 2021). "Kate Moss quits London for life in the Cotswolds". Oxford Mail. "Kate Moss". Forbes. 2005. Archived from the original...
Minister at First Minister's Questions. The role is currently held by KateForbes since 8 May 2024, following her appointment by John Swinney alongside...
Swinney is set to become the next SNP leader and first minister after KateForbes confirms she will not seek the party's leadership. Goldman Sachs becomes...
First Minister John Swinney, SNP since 8 May 2024 Deputy First Minister KateForbes, SNP since 8 May 2024 Minister for Parliamentary Business Jamie Hepburn...
(until 28 March 2023) Shona Robison (SNP) (29 March 2023-8 May 2024) KateForbes (SNP) (starting 8 May 2024) Minister for Parliamentary Business: George...
government crisis, Swinney launched his leadership bid on 2 May, after KateForbes, who was a serious contender to become leader, dropped out and endorsed...
Swinney is set to become the next SNP leader and first minister after KateForbes confirms she will not seek the party's leadership. 3 May – With 90% of...
Swinney is set to become the next SNP leader and first minister after KateForbes confirms she will not seek the party's leadership. 5 May – John Swinney...
Kate Garry Hudson (born April 19, 1979) is an American actress. She has received various accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and a nomination for...
Joel Pomorski Griff Furst as Max Himmler Jason Davis as Jerry Zeigler KateForbes as Patty Zeigler Cory Scott Allen as Randy Helsel The film has a 54%...
100". Forbes. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2017. Elliott, Hannah. "On The Celebrity 100, Gisele Tops Kate". Forbes. Archived...
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