Alison Thewliss announces bid to become new SNP Westminster leader
The Glasgow Central MP is throwing her hat into the ring, after Ian Blackford announced he would be stepping down from the role
Last updated 4th Dec 2022
Glasgow Central MP Alison Thewliss has announced her candidacy to be the SNP’s next Westminster leader.
Posting on Twitter on Saturday evening, she said she would be a "clear contrast" to "two men shouting at each other across the dispatch box".
Ms Thewliss wrote: "I've been working for independence for over half my life. Scotland is closer to achieving that now than ever before.
"The Westminster group needs a leader who can build on Ian Blackford's achievements and demonstrate that independence, far from being abstract, is the alternative to Brexit, the cost-of-living crisis and Tory austerity."
Ms Thewliss said she had "no intention" of running, but now there is a vacancy, she believes she could do the job well and she has a "duty" to step up.
She hit out at Westminster culture saying she would be a "clear contrast" to Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak "shouting at each other" across the dispatch box.
Ms Thewliss has been the MP for Glasgow Central since 2015, when she unseated current Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar.
She is currently the party's treasury spokesperson.
The news comes after Ian Blackford announced he would not be restarting as Westminster leader at the party's AGM next week amid speculation of a coup by Aberdeen South MP Stephen Flynn.
Mr Flynn has not yet publicly announced his intention to join the race.
The SNP's Westminster Deputy Leader Kirsten Oswald will also stand down, according to tweets sent by the East Renfrewshire MP on Friday evening.