SNP MP Alison Thewliss has announced she will throw her hat into the ring to be the party's next leader on the House of Commons.
Thewliss announced the news on Twitter on Saturday evening, saying she would be a "clear contrast" to "two men shouting at each other across the dispatch box".
She has been an MP for Glasgow Central since 2015 when she unseated current Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar. Thewliss concluded over the weekend that she wanted to stand after having discussions with colleagues for a number of days beforehand.
She wrote: "I've been working for independence for over half my life. Scotland is closer to achieving that now 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."
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 is currently the party's treasury spokesperson. Thewliss 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.
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. Flynn has not yet publicly announced his intention to join the race but is the favourite to take over.
One SNP MP, who is supporting Thewliss' bid, said it is important there is a contest and not a coronation.
They said: "Alison is very much of the view that we need more collaboration, not less. We're at our best when we work as a single party, she loves to work with colleagues in Holyrood, headquarters, the party activists and the party more broadly. She is SNP to her fingertips and plays for the jersey.
"I think it's best we have a contest and not a coronation. This isn't just about having a contest for the sake of it. Alison is making a serious and robust proposal to the group. I think it's a winning one that has momentum.
"She recognises as a group we have a wealth of resources, that we can commit to the arguments. She is willing to engage and enthusiastic about engaging with the group on what kind of changes we need to make sure we are sparkier.
"Alison is not messing about but she wants to put forward a case that is about ensuring focus and bringing the group together and taking the fight to the Tories."
The SNP's Westminster Deputy Leader Kirsten Oswald will also stand down, according to tweets sent by the East Renfrewshire MP on Friday evening.
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