Ian Blackford mulling Holyrood run after Kate Forbes calls it quits

Former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford is giving “careful consideration” to running for Holyrood next year.

The news follows the announcement that Kate Forbes, the deputy first minister, will no longer seek re-election, leaving her Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch seat free.

Blackford represented the overlapping Ross, Skye and Lochaber seat in the Commons between 2015 and 2024.

He did not contest the seat again last year, saying after a “period of reflection” he decide he could better campaign for independence outside of Westminster.

But now, in comments given to the Daily Mail, the former MP said he was being encouraged to stand for the Scottish Parliament next May.

He said: “One or two people have approached me, and I am grateful that people are thinking about me but I've not given any indication one way or another.

“In all honesty, I hadn't really thought about it, it wasn't what I was planning.”

He added making a run was “not an easy call” but he would “give it careful consideration”.

Blackford became the SNP’s group leader in the Commons in 2017 following Angus Robertson’s defeat in that year’s general election.

He held that post for five years but stepped aside in December 2022 in a move that was seen as avoiding a challenge from his successor, Stephen Flynn.

Forbes announced she would not seek re-election earlier this week so she could focus on her family.

In doing so, she became the 36^th MSP to announce such a decision. 23 other SNP MSPs are also retiring from frontline politics, including former leaders Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf.

Five Conservative, four Labour, one Lib Dem, one independent and the presiding officer Alison Johnstone have also said the will not stand.