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John Swinney clashes with SNP's former Green allies over 'regressive' decision to make anti
Worldly Winds news portal2024-06-03 16:56:12【world】1People have gathered around
IntroductionScotland's new First Minister John Swinney clashed with the SNP's former Green allies today as he de
Scotland's new First Minister John Swinney clashed with the SNP's former Green allies today as he desperately tried to draw a line under the chaos engulfing his party.
Mr Swinney was accused of backing a return to the 'repressive values of the 1950s' after appointing Kate Forbes as his deputy to avoid a power struggle.
Ms Forbes, a member of the Free Church of Scotland, has previously faced criticism for her socially conservative views on gay marriage and abortion rights.
The remarks by Green leader Patrick Harvie - who was until recently a junior coalition minister - came as Mr Swinney faced First Minister's Questions for the first time since being sworn in.
He told Holyrood he would bring 'fresh leadership' - despite having spent nine years as deputy first minister under Nicola Sturgeon until she quit last year.
He is also under fire for ditching the 'minister for independence' post from his new Cabinet .
The new SNP leader has appointed his team as he tries to stabilise the separatists after the shock collapse of Humza Yousaf's premiership.
John Swinney told Holyrood he would bring 'fresh leadership' - despite having spent nine years as deputy first minister under Nicola Sturgeon until she quit last year.
Mr Swinney was accused of backing a return to the 'repressive values of the 1950s' after appointing gay marriage opponent Kate Forbes as his deputy to avoid a power struggle at the top of the party.
In the most eye-catching move, Mr Swinney has made Ms Forbes his deputy despite previous clashes about her devout Christian views on issues like gay marriage.
It prompted Mr Harvie to claim he had given 'the second most powerful job in Government ... to someone who has opposed LGBT people's legal equality, who has expressed judgemental attitudes to abortion, and who has even expressed the view that people who have families without being married are doing something wrong'.
He added: 'Is this the Scottish Government's vision for the future of Scotland - taking us back to the repressive values of the 1950s?'
Speaking after FMQs Ms Forbes vowed to 'progress' the rights of all communities in Scotland.
'I am here to support the First Minister and together we serve all communities in Scotland as we further and progress the rights of every community in Scotland, and I look forward to doing my part in achieving the Government's aims in that regard,' she said.
'Not just that, but when I joined Government yesterday in a clear role to support the First Minister, I signed up to collective responsibility, so I stand by the Government's decisions and agenda to improve and progress the rights of all of Scotland's communities.'
The First Minister also said it is 'absolutely legitimate' for people to 'seek reassurance'.
He said: 'If people are feeling uneasy or anxious, we're better airing that.
Speaking after FMQs Ms Forbes vowed to 'progress' the rights of all communities in Scotland.
'So that I can say on the record, and the Deputy First Minister can say on the record in front of you all, that we give that reassurance and we give that comfort to people in our society, because that's what we believe.'
The First Minister - slated by critics as a 'continuity candidate' and 'Sturgeon apologist' - has also quietly dropped the controversial job Mr Humza had created explicitly to help break up the UK.
Jamie Hepburn was minister for independence, but has now become minister for parliamentary business in the Scottish Government.
The 14-strong ministerial team was finalised last night after Mr Swinney was sworn in and conducted his reshuffle.
He announced a largely unchanged Cabinet team, though Ms Forbes replaces Shona Robison as Deputy First Minister, with Ms Robison remaining Finance Secretary.
Earlier this week Mr Swinney said he would 'seek, with respect and courtesy, to persuade people of the case for independence'.
Mr Swinney will make his debut taking First Minister's Questions as leader at Holyrood later.
Mr Yousaf delivered an emotional valedictory speech earlier in the week before handing over to Mr Swinney
Mr Swinney was officially sworn in as First Minister yesterday
In his junior ministerial team, Ivan McKee has returned to Government as minister for public finance, while minister for equalities, migration and refugees Emma Roddick and minister for local government empowerment and planning Joe Fitzpatrick have stepped down from their previous roles.
Consisting of 11 Cabinet secretaries, including the First Minister, the Scottish Cabinet is supported by 14 ministers, reducing the size of the Scottish Government by four since the start of the year.
Richard Lochhead is minister for business while Tom Arthur is minister for employment and investment, and Natalie Don is minister for children, young people and The Promise and Graeme Dey is minister for higher and further education.
Siobhian Brown is minister for victims and community safety and Gillian Martin is minister for climate action, while Jim Fairlie is minister for agriculture and connectivity.
The minister for public health and women's health is Jenni Minto while Maree Todd is minister for social care, mental wellbeing and sport, Christina McKelvie is minister for drugs and alcohol policy, the minister for equalities is Kaukab Stewart and Paul McLennan is minister for housing.
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