Kate Forbes

Kate Forbes, born on April sixth, nineteen ninety, is a prominent Scottish politician who has made significant strides in her career since her election as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch in two thousand sixteen. Raised in both India and Scotland, Forbes was educated at a Scottish Gaelic-medium school, where she became fluent in the language. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Selwyn College, Cambridge, followed by a Master of Science in diaspora and migration history from the University of Edinburgh.

Forbes began her political career as a researcher for the Scottish National Party (SNP) MSP Dave Thompson before quickly rising through the ranks. Appointed as Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy, she served as deputy to Finance Secretary Derek Mackay. Following Mackay's resignation, she was appointed Finance Secretary by Nicola Sturgeon, a role that saw her navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis.

In two thousand twenty-three, Forbes announced her candidacy for the SNP leadership following Sturgeon's resignation. Her campaign garnered attention due to her socially conservative views, particularly regarding sexual ethics. Although she secured forty-seven point nine percent of the vote, she ultimately lost to Humza Yousaf. After stepping down from her ministerial role, she took a position as a backbencher.

In April two thousand twenty-four, following Yousaf's resignation, Forbes was considered a potential candidate for the SNP leadership but chose to endorse John Swinney instead. Upon Swinney's appointment as First Minister in May two thousand twenty-four, he appointed Forbes as Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic. On August fourth, two thousand twenty-five, she announced her intention to step down as an MSP at the two thousand twenty-six election.