The race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon is wide open, with three candidates confirmed. Humza Yousaf, the Health Secretary, is the favourite to beat Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and Edinburgh East MSP Ash Regan.
The contest has already been marred by criticism of Ms Forbes’ Christian beliefs.
The Finance Secretary is a member of the Free Church of Scotland, also known as the Wee Frees, and has stated that she opposes gay marriage because she believes trans women are biological men.
She has also stated that having children outside of marriage is wrong.
However, she insisted that “in a liberal society” different ethical views should be able “to sit alongside each other.”
Meanwhile, Mr Yousaf, a Glasgow MSP who has been a minister for 11 years, has attempted to capitalise on her problems by becoming the contest’s frontrunner.
He stated that his Muslim faith had not prevented him from supporting issues such as gay marriage, despite the religion’s opposition.
However, Unionist politicians have dubbed him “Captain Calamity” and stated unequivocally that he is the candidate they want to win.
Mr Yousaf has been chastised for his record, including as Health Secretary, where he presided over two-year NHS waiting lists and saw life expectancy in Scotland fall while the country became Europe’s drug death capital.
He was previously fined for driving without insurance while serving as transport minister.
As Justice Secretary, he made a speech claiming Scotland was “too white”.
Meanwhile, Ms Regan, the outsider, resigned from Ms Sturgeon’s government over the contentious Gender Recognition Bill, which would have sent rapists who identified as women to female prisons.
The legislation was eventually blocked by the UK Government using previously unknown powers.
While Mr Yousaf is the “continuity Sturgeon candidate,” Ms Regan offers a new beginning and would welcome back those who left the party to join Alex Salmond’s Alba.
“Despite the month’s dramatic changes in Scottish politics, there has – so far – been little change in Scottish voters’ appetite for independence,” said Michela Morizzo, Chief Executive of Techne UK.
“The challenge for the SNP, and those who support independence, has to be that if the popular Nicola Sturgeon could not move the dial, do any of her potential replacements have the capacity to do so?
“We are entering a new phase in Scottish politics and the independence debate, and what happens next remains to be seen.”