Two SNP leadership candidates agree JK Rowling is a 'national treasure';

Acclaimed writer JK Rowling has been hailed as a 'national treasure'; of two Scottish politicians fighting for leadership of the Scottish National Party (SNP)  following the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon as Prime Minister. In a heated debate moderated by Sky News on Monday, candidates Kate Forbes and Ash Regan used the word 'brave'. Describe Rowling when asked about "Harry Potter"; the author's harsh statements against Sturgeon and his gender-recognition reforms. 

 

 

 Rowling has previously called the former Prime Minister a "destroyer of women's rights"; according to the Guardian. Asked if Forbes supports Rowling's controversial stance on transgender rights, the Treasury Secretary replied, "I don't agree with her," adding, "I think she's brave." She joined the race for the SNP leadership and said  Rowling is "amazing about the books she's written, but I totally disagree with her about transgender rights." Ahead of the intense debate, a Sky News poll found a majority of voters were unsure the three candidates could replace Sturgeon and do justice to the most important job. 

 

 Kate Forbes, trumpet Humza Yousaf during a televised debate 

 On  gender recognition reform, 56% of voters disagreed based on “what they saw and heard about it”. On the other hand, only 26% were in favor of the reforms. At the televised event, heads turned for Forbes and Yousaf, with the latter saying admiration for her rival had "dwindled" after she went public with her conservative ideology on a range of issues. 

 In response, Forbes said he had "more confidence in all areas of politics," leading Yousaf to be quick to explain that it was  because he'd never held a public service  role."I've had three of the toughest roles in government over the past 10.5 years," he said.