Kate Forbes has said she would like to turn the clock back to before 2014 to restore civility to Scotland’s political debates.  

The Deputy First Minister said that views across the country had become “entrenched” and that the ability to build bridges between political camps has been “lost”.  

Speaking at the Wigtown Book Festival, in Dumfries and Galloway, Ms Forbes acknowledged that the SNP had lost the support of many Scots, as evidenced by the party’s drubbing at the recent general election.  

She called for a return to mutual respect, where people of all opinions can debate openly and listen to one another’s perspectives on issues including independence. 

She said: “Irrespective of whether you've got a pro-independence or a pro-union government, you have to acknowledge the part of the country that doesn't support you.  

“And it's something I feel really strongly about, that we have lost this ability to build bridges between people and show respect to the other side. 

“I would like us to get back to an ability to actually debate these matters in a way that we perhaps have lost since 2014 because views have become so entrenched.” 

Kate Forbes was speaking to an audience in GallowayKate Forbes was speaking to an audience in Galloway (Image: WBF) The Deputy First Minister was taking part in a question and answer sessions with veteran political reporter - and Herald columnist - Brian Taylor at the book festival, which is running more than 250 events from 27 September to 6 October. 

She also spoke about the plan for Scotland’s next National Park, with Galloway the proposed location. 

As someone who represents part of the Cairngorm National Park she added that while some people have frustrations many like the fact that decisions are made closer to the community. 

Asked whether her party needed to regain the trust of the people she said: “Absolutely”. 

She continued: “That is the aim, the only way you can win is to regain trust that has been lost in every part of the country.”  

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The Deputy First Minister said she believes that she will be able to attract the number of additional votes – or abstentions – needed to succeed in passing a budget this year. 

With the SNP now a minority administration, it will have to rely on votes from other parties to pass legislation at Holyrood.  

She recalled that “it was one of my proudest moments” when she managed to get the Greens and Liberal Democrats to support her 2021 Budget, when “everybody said was impossible” to get an agreement. 

Kate Forbes at the book festivalKate Forbes at the book festival (Image: WBF) Looking to her aims in government, Ms Forbes said she wants to encourage entrepreneurialism, including rural areas, and have regulation that is consistent and fair to all. 

She said: “We have talented, skilled people. We've got great resources, great assets. We've got a network of extraordinarily entrepreneurial towns and villages. I think that the most entrepreneurial places in Scotland are our towns and villages.” 

In terms of what voters want from government Ms Forbes said: “if you put a microphone in front of anybody and you ask them their priorities, I imagine they would say they want their public services to deliver for them when they need them, they want to be able to make ends meet and not struggle. They want fairness. They want equality of opportunity for every generation.”