Cabinet Secretary Màiri McAllan has said although the SNP 'means the world' to her, she would not rush into becoming First Minister or party leader as she prepares to head to the SNP’s annual conference in Aberdeen this weekend.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Herald's Unspun Live podcast, Ms McAllan also described the SNP as a “rebellious” party united by a “greater cause” and opened up about her experience of balancing early motherhood with life at the top of Scottish politics.
Asked directly if she could one day see herself leading her party and becoming First Minister, the SNP Cabinet Secretary for Housing said: “I think it’s not sensible for people in parties to rule things out.
"The SNP means the world to me, Scotland achieving independence means the world to me, and I will contribute to that in any way I can before it’s realised.”
However, despite speculation, Ms McAllan was quick to insist she is not eyeing the top job any time soon.
“I don’t [see it on the horizon]," she said, "I’ve worked very closely with First Ministers in the past and once you’ve seen it up close you are very aware of the kind of job it is — what it takes, the challenges, the sense of duty. Having done all of that, it’s not something I would ever rush into.”
Pressed on whether she might reconsider in the years ahead, she added: “I don’t know. I really don’t think that far ahead … but I’m certainly not planning.
“The other thing is, I completely back John Swinney. I think he is a superb leader.”
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She praised the First Minister’s “long-standing respect” within the SNP and said he brought “energy and credibility” to the leadership.
“The man is never off the top of the road," she said, "I think he’s going to lead us into independence and I’ll be right behind him doing that.”
As the SNP gathers in Aberdeen amid falling poll ratings — with recent surveys putting independence support at 47% but the party support falling to around 35% — Ms McAllan struck an upbeat tone about the weekend’s conference.
“We’re going into this in a very positive frame of mind,” she said. “We have a party that’s strong, a government that is delivering, and a movement on independence that’s uniting.”
She added that debates on the party’s route to independence would dominate proceedings.
The First Minister's current independence strategy is to urge the UK government to agree to a referendum on Scottish independence if the SNP wins a majority at next year's Holyrood election.
However, some in the party have voiced frustration at this plan as they believe Mr Swinney's strategy may be a way of kicking the constitutional question into the long grass.
Asked about reports of dissent within the ranks, Ms McAllan embraced the label of internal debate.
“Of course that’s who we are. We’re not a normal political party," she said, "We’re united by the greater cause of believing that Scotland can, should, and must become an independent country.
“You don’t bring together a group of people who feel that way without debate and robust disagreement. It goes to the heart of what the SNP is. We are rebellious in many ways.”
Fourteen months after giving birth to her son, Somhairle, Ms McAllan also spoke candidly about motherhood and the challenges of balancing family life with the demands of ministerial office.
“I remember two days after he was born, I was desperately trying to get used to breastfeeding and doing my constituency emails at the same time. It’s been a juggle right from the start and it continues to be, but I feel extraordinarily lucky.”
She added: “I don’t want to make it look easy because that would be a betrayal of what it’s actually like.”
Her comments come after Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes announced she was stepping back from government to focus on her young daughter — a move Ms McAllan said she understood completely.
“I’m really disappointed Kate is leaving", she said, "She’s a terrific minister and incredibly bright. But I understand — I have a young child and my constituency is in South Lanarkshire, which is still a commute to Edinburgh. That just isn't an option for Kate - she's got a 4 or 5 hour commute to get home so I can quite understand why that just became a completely impossible task.”
Ms McAllan said the experience of women in frontline politics should serve as a “wake-up call” for institutions.
“It should be a bit of a wake-up call to the functions of parliament and government," she said, "Every woman who goes through that is blazing a trail.”
The 32-year-old cabinet secretary said she still has the drive for frontline politics but recognises its toll.
“Politics isn’t a job you should expect to do forever," she said, "You need to do it when you’ve got the energy. As soon as you don’t, you should move on, because your constituents and your country deserve someone who has that in them.”
She said motherhood “wears that down a little” but insisted she remains motivated.
Ms McAllan also reflected on the pressures of constant social media scrutiny.
“I’ve stopped looking and it’s very empowering,” she said.
The Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to make a last minute appearance at the SNP conference on Sunday which Ms Sturgeon herself described as a "quick dash".
Ms McAllan - who previously worked as a special advisor to Ms Sturgeon - said she was “slightly envious” of her former boss being able to explore a life outside of politics, however, she added: “I’m glad to see her doing well.”
Reflecting on her own journey into politics, Ms McAllan recalled working as a receptionist at SNP headquarters when she was at university and being inspired by Ms Sturgeon.
“When I first saw Nicola come in as First Minister in her beautiful suit and high heels, I thought: oh my goodness, this is brilliant to see. That was very influential to me," she said.
Now, she hopes her own visibility helps inspire other women to step forward.
“It’s about saying we’re here, we’re not going anywhere. Women are going to be around the tables making decisions — but we need support.”
The SNP conference opens today in Aberdeen, where debates on independence strategy, public services and party renewal are expected to dominate.
You can watch and listen to the full Unspun Live podcast episode with Mairi McAllan here.
