SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes has insisted she has “progressive views” after scrutiny of her religious beliefs.
The Scottish finance minister lost many supporters in the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon when she admitted He was going to vote against same-sex marriage in Scotland By the time it became legal it was nearly a decade ago.
She later told Sky News her faith is mean Having children out of wedlock is wrong. And something you personally “seek to avoid.”
Mrs. Forbes, a member of the Free Church of Scotland, also voiced opposition to Holyrood’s gender legislation, Failed to fully adhere to the prohibition of all forms of conversion therapy.
Asked if she considered herself to have progressive views, Forbes told Sky’s Sophie Ridge on Sunday: “I do.
“I believe we live in a pluralistic and tolerant society, which makes space for everyone. And of course, the definition of progressive is that we stand up for those who don’t have a voice and ensure we represent their concern in Scotland today.”
Then Forbes was pressed for her views on LGBT conversion therapy, which the Scottish government committed to ban by the end of the year.
During a leadership debate on Sky News last week, Forbes was asked six times whether it would end the practice even for those who agree with it – and gave no straight answer.
Although she called conversion therapy “distasteful”, she quipped when asked which people would want it done for themselves, saying that “they should be allowed to live freely as they choose, I don’t think there should be conversion therapy in Scotland”.
Please use the Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
Kate Forbes says she personally thinks children out of wedlock are wrong
Read more:
The departure of the crises marks the reset of the SNP machine and the end of the couple’s fist
Poll finds support for Scottish independence at 46%
Pressed to clarify her position on Sunday, she reiterated her position that conversion therapy is “abhorrent” but said “lived experiences” should “clarify our approach to the debate”.
“I understand that there are people who will see that there is no non-coercive approach to conversion therapy and I’m not here to try to argue that,” she said.
“I am here to build on the experiences that people have shared and to ensure that any approach we take to legislation reflects those lived experiences.
“But it’s a very sensitive matter and I think it’s important that rather than give you some sort of quick answer on a matter of great importance, we think about the counseling responses and ensure that the legislation prohibits such an unsavory process.”
Click to subscribe to Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcast
Leadership rival Hamza Yusuf attempted to exploit Forbes’ perceived weakness with SNP voters on social issues by suggesting that she was “abandoning the progressive agenda” of the party.
An amazing level of scrutiny
Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuensberg, Forbes said there had been an “amazing level of scrutiny and possibly backlash from some quarters” about her religious views.
She said people of other faiths held high positions in the UK and vowed to ensure Scotland was a “tolerant and pluralistic nation”.
Addressing the LGBT community, she added: “I make you a heartfelt pledge today to govern in a way that advances you, in no way undermines your rights and actually seeks to advance your opportunities in Scotland to ensure that Scotland truly is that tolerant and pluralistic nation we all want to see.”
The interviews were pre-recorded because Ms Forbes does not work on Sundays because of her religion – although she has said she would if she was elected first minister.
She was speaking before the SNP plunged into turmoil over the weekend as chief executive Peter Morrell, who is married to Nicola Sturgeon, He resigned after a dispute over party membership numbers.
His departure came shortly after that of Head of Media Murray Foote, who said there was a “serious barrier” to his role.
Ms. Forbes, who was along with the other candidates He called for the release of membership numbersSophie told Ridge she had “total confidence in the fairness of the electoral contest”.
She said Significant reduction in paid support To the SNP’s forced affirmation the party makes clear that “we need to focus and deliver change”, adding: “Continuity will not kill it”.