Yousaf and Forbes both said proving the case for independence started with "governing well", but Ash Regan told the audience a different approach was needed
Yousaf told the Debate Night Special that he believed he could build sustained majority support for independence that would see those political obstacles disappear
Forbes said she believed the dial could be shifted in favour of independence by building a case on the issues that people were concerned about
Regan outlined her plans for what she calls a Voter Empowerment Mechanism that "just uses the ballot box to allow the people of Scotland to say when they are ready to be independent"
The candidates also faced questions on topics including NHS waiting lists, as well as the state of Scotland's education system and the government's controversial Deposit Return Scheme
Voting in the SNP leadership election, which is using the single transferable vote system, opened on Monday with the winner to be announced on 27 March
That's all from the live page team - thanks for joining us.
Let's get back to the all important audience members...
BBCCopyright: BBC
Audience Member Margaret May Cowan gets some well earned refreshmentImage caption: Audience Member Margaret May Cowan gets some well earned refreshment
Margaret May Cowan, a Labour supporter, said the debate was
“excellent”, even though “they could have spent a bit more time on the NHS, because
it is a massive issue”.
Asked which candidate impressed her the most, she said:
“Humza, definitely. But Kate Forbes was very good as well.”
Jane Marshall, a GP in Edinburgh, also felt that more
questions should have been raised about the NHS.
“The SNP has got a really good track record but there are
some very difficult times ahead,” she told BBC Scotland.
“Scottish general practice has been transformed for the
better, particularly at the point of primary care, but there are more resources
required.
Ms Marshall said she was reassured by the commitments of
both Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes to tackle inequality and eradicate
poverty.
Let's hear from the opposition..who are not impressed
So we've heard from the supporters and the journalists, but what about the opposition?
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie says none of the candidates would be best for the economy and she says the talent pool from the SNP is not very large at all.
Baillie insists her party does not fear Humza Yousaf, saying he failed as the transport minister, failed as the justice secretary and now he's failing at health.
Craig Hoy, a Tory MSP and chairman of the Scottish Tories, says: "It's very clear, which ever of these three candidates wins, Scotland loses."
He says they provided a "lamentable performance" and criticises all the candidates.
'This is a really big choice' - debate analysis
BBCCopyright: BBC
Andy Maciver, former head of communications for the Scottish ConservativesImage caption: Andy Maciver, former head of communications for the Scottish Conservatives
We're getting some post debate analysis now. Andy Maciver, former head of communications for the Scottish Conservatives, says the debate proved interesting because of how divergent the candidates are.
"For years we've been bemoaning how similar candidates are and we never get a choice - but this is a really, really big choice," he says.
He says the choice is very, very stark. "It's striking because you have a very clear continuity candidate and a very clear change candidate, and sometimes it sounds like they're' talking from different parties.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Shona Craven, columnist at The National newspaperImage caption: Shona Craven, columnist at The National newspaper
Shona Craven, a columnist at The National, says it also struck her that every candidate had a different answer to questions on health, money reform and staffing
"It's quite remarkable they all have a different solution," she says.
It is clear that the candidates have developed their style somewhat as the
campaign has gone on.
Where a few weeks ago they were kicking lumps out of each
other, now they slip in their attacks more subtly while talking up their own
policies.
It was also clear that change is coming to the Scottish
government for the first time in a long time, with even serving ministers
talking up reforms and looking to tinker with plans already in train.
And it was fascinating to see how all three dealt with a
live studio audience from a mix of personal and political backgrounds for the
first time.
The way members of the public reacted to the policy pitches
was really as enlightening as the arguments themselves.
It will have been a stark reminder to the candidates that
they need to win over SNP members to get the top job – but they will need to
convince the nation at large to keep it.
What did the candidates' supporters think?
Tracey Guy, who is supporting Kate Forbes, says there was unity in the desire to eradicate poverty.
She says: "Kate stands out because she is authentic, she tells the truth and she stands up for what she believes in."
Michael Sturrock is backing Humza Yousaf and says he is "head and shoulders above the others".
He adds Humza is the best communicator and has the most progressive vision that will unite the party.
Finally Bailey-Lee Robb, who is firmly in the Ash Regan camp says: "The only way for Ash is up."
He says she won that debate hands down and that the audience laughed at Humza Yousaf, not the other two candidates.
Post update
BBCCopyright: BBC
Analysis
Analysis: This time there's been a focus on policy
This has, broadly, been a debate
focused on policy rather than personality - something summed up when Humza
Yousaf said he was "not going to sit here and slag off colleagues in
government".
He did clash with Kate Forbes
over her approach to business, but that was teed up by the audience more than
the candidates themselves.
When given the chance, the trio
have not sought to land punches on each other. The cross-examination portion of
the debate was notably less fiery than in previous events.
That may be in part because
yellow-on-yellow attacks are greeted with glee by opposition parties, but it is
also a mark of how the candidates have developed their approach.
Rather than seeking to savage
Humza Yousaf in the cross-examination section, this time Kate Forbes asked
policy-laden questions which promoted her own strengths on economic issues.
Ash Regan brought up gender
reform - again, something she sees as a strength of her own campaign.
Humza Yousaf was actually ticked
off by Stephen Jardine for talking about his own policies at length when he was
meant to be questioning Kate Forbes.
This may be because of the fear
that mud thrown now could still be stuck when future elections roll around.
But it may also be because this
race uses a single transferable vote system – and in a tight contest,
second-preference votes could turn out to be crucial.
It may be more profitable to
make friends than to try to knock out opponents entirely.
All three candidates say Scotland will be independent within five years
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Stuart Bonner asks: “If you win,
will Scotland become independent within five years?”
Humza Yousaf says: "I believe it can be and I want to be the one to deliver it but we have to stop talking about policy... and build a consistent majority for independence."
Kate Forbes says she believes Scottish independence will come sooner than in five years. "If you make the case and see the dial shift in support, there will be a route forward."
Ash Regan says Scotland will become independent in five years if she becomes first minister. For her "it's urgent - I want us to have all the power to create a better country for the people who live here". She says she would use a "voter empowerment mechanism to give people the power to say when they're ready for independence.
Forbes says SNP will gain trust by governing well
Kate Forbes says there is no path to independence without persuading No voters to vote Yes.
"We need to see a lot more respect in our political debates."
She says: "Govern well, you earn trust.
"We have to make the case on the economy."
Yousaf's three ways to grow support for Scottish independence
Humza Yousaf is giving his answer to the independence issue.
He cites three things the SNP needs to do to gain popularity for an independence vote: govern and govern well, have a strong economic case to put forward and to look at the government and be inspired by the government to "release this countries potential and reverse the betrayal of Brexit".
Will the candidates govern for all Scots - regardless of their support for independence?
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Moving on
to the issue of independence, Kathryn Wilson asks the candidates how would they appeal to and represent those opposed to independence if they were to become
first minister?
Ash Regan says half of Scots want indepndence and half don't and the job of first minister is to govern for everyone.
She says she would move the independence campaign away from government into civil society to co-design the campaign and speak to people, and to have conversations with friends and neighbours for "gentle persuasion on the issues.
She says schools and hospitals would be better in an independent Scotland, and "we'll all be wealthier and the country will be fairer".
Will you back me if I become first minister, Yousaf asks rival Forbes
BBCCopyright: BBC
Humza Yousaf asks Kate Forbes if he's chosen as first minister, will she back him?
Forbes says whoever wins, she will back to the hilt "because I'm a democrat. If it's either of you it will be my privilege to support you in those roles".
Ash Regan asks Kate Forbes what she would do inside the party to modernise it.
Forbes says the SNP needs to ensure people across Scotland can influence policy such as teachers and businesses "because we're accountable to our members".
SNP need to support key businesses and industry - Forbes
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
The next question goes to Kate
Forbes. Terence Chan says that Forbes has said "continuity doesn't cut it
anymore and we can't keep doing the same things".
He asks her which policies of
the Scottish government during her time as a minister does she think are no
longer appropriate and what would she do differently?
Forbes says the SNP needs to turbocharge the economy by supporting small businesses and key industries, such as renewables and a green economy.
She says she would go back and listen to businesses and workers who have identified challenges.
She highlights the proposed ban on alcohol advertising which would hamstring that industry while not resolving the core issues of alcohol abuse.
Yousaf tells Forbes he wants to improve childcare to grow economy
Kate Forbes asks what Humza Yousaf would do on day one to create wealth.
Humza Yousaf says he believes in progressive taxation and that his childcare policy will help to grow the economy.
Kate Forbes asks how he would ensure there would be more jobs created in Scotland.
Yousaf insists the Scottish government is doing a good job on this and childcare will help people get into jobs.
What happened with Isla Bryson was wrong, Yousaf tells Regan
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Isla Bryson arriving at the High Court in GlasgowImage caption: Isla Bryson arriving at the High Court in Glasgow
Ash Regan says the government was warned about issues like rapists in women's prisons.
She asks why Humza Yousaf voted against amendments that would have provided safeguards.
He replies that she never raised this with him when he was justice secretary.
Yousaf explains the prison service has a policy that any man that has a history of violence against women cannot be in a women's prison.
"What happened with Isla Bryson was wrong."
He adds: "Isla Bryson is a rapist who is completely at it."
He insists there are safeguards in place.
Ferry purchase not the government's finest moment, says Yousaf
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Humza Yousaf is being questioned now. Scott Jack asks him: “How would you ensure your transport minister procures ferries in an expedient manner?”
Yousaf says: "It's unacceptable. We've got to put our hands up."
"On 801 and 802 we've let our island communities down."
He is referring to Glen Sannox and hull 802, the two over-budget and delayed ferries being constructed at the nationalised Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow.
He says when he's first minister he will invest in replacing an ageing fleet.
Yousaf accepts there have been challenges at the shipyard but the jobs had to be saved.
He accepts this has not been the government's finest moment.
SNP should review pact with Scottish Greens, Regan says
Ash Regan says she wants to work with all pro-independence parties.
At a previous debate, she claimed she had been in touch with the leaders of all pro-independence parties - but the Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie tweeted that wasn't true.
Regan says the Greens hadn't called her back when she contacted them but she's "very keen" to talk to them.
She says she will try to reach out to the Scottish Green party again tomorrow.
"We've all got to work together, the Greens are a key part of that," she says.
She says their parties are aligned on independence but in other areas, they're not so aligned and the SNP needs to review that.
Questions now for Ash Regan - from the audience and the other candidates
Scottish GreensCopyright: Scottish Greens
Kate
Doherty asks Ash Regan why, if she’s
keen to involve the Alba party and groups from the wider independence movement,
is she “less keen” to work with the Green Party?
Candidates debate merits of deposit return scheme
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Kate Forbes says she's been away from seven months and she would have stopped the scheme.
Humza Yousaf believes in continuing the policy and bringing it live in the autumn, but would exclude small businesses.
However, the health secretary does not want to pause the scheme.
Ash Regan points out we need to listen better to the public.
She says we have got to the point where it seems like the government isn't listening.
The former minister turns to gender reform and says her concerns on this were dismissed.
Live Reporting
BBC Scotland News
All times stated are UK
-
On the issue of independence Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and ex-minister Ash Regan all said they believed it was possible within five years
-
Yousaf and Forbes both said proving the case for independence started with "governing well", but Ash Regan told the audience a different approach was needed
-
Yousaf told the Debate Night Special that he believed he could build sustained majority support for independence that would see those political obstacles disappear
-
Forbes said she believed the dial could be shifted in favour of independence by building a case on the issues that people were concerned about
-
Regan outlined her plans for what she calls a Voter Empowerment Mechanism that "just uses the ballot box to allow the people of Scotland to say when they are ready to be independent"
-
The candidates also faced questions on topics including NHS waiting lists, as well as the state of Scotland's education system and the government's controversial Deposit Return Scheme
-
Voting in the SNP leadership election, which is using the single transferable vote system, opened on Monday with the winner to be announced on 27 March
BBCCopyright: BBC Audience Member Margaret May Cowan gets some well earned refreshmentImage caption: Audience Member Margaret May Cowan gets some well earned refreshment 
BBCCopyright: BBC Andy Maciver, former head of communications for the Scottish ConservativesImage caption: Andy Maciver, former head of communications for the Scottish Conservatives 
BBCCopyright: BBC Shona Craven, columnist at The National newspaperImage caption: Shona Craven, columnist at The National newspaper Analysis
BBCCopyright: BBC Analysis
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Isla Bryson arriving at the High Court in GlasgowImage caption: Isla Bryson arriving at the High Court in Glasgow 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
Scottish GreensCopyright: Scottish Greens 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Latest PostThat's it from our SNP leadership Debate Night Special
As we draw our live coverage of the SNP leadership TV hustings to a close, here's a quick reminder of the headlines:
That's all from the live page team - thanks for joining us.
Let's get back to the all important audience members...
Margaret May Cowan, a Labour supporter, said the debate was “excellent”, even though “they could have spent a bit more time on the NHS, because it is a massive issue”.
Asked which candidate impressed her the most, she said: “Humza, definitely. But Kate Forbes was very good as well.”
Jane Marshall, a GP in Edinburgh, also felt that more questions should have been raised about the NHS.
“The SNP has got a really good track record but there are some very difficult times ahead,” she told BBC Scotland.
“Scottish general practice has been transformed for the better, particularly at the point of primary care, but there are more resources required.
Ms Marshall said she was reassured by the commitments of both Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes to tackle inequality and eradicate poverty.
Let's hear from the opposition..who are not impressed
So we've heard from the supporters and the journalists, but what about the opposition?
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie says none of the candidates would be best for the economy and she says the talent pool from the SNP is not very large at all.
Baillie insists her party does not fear Humza Yousaf, saying he failed as the transport minister, failed as the justice secretary and now he's failing at health.
Craig Hoy, a Tory MSP and chairman of the Scottish Tories, says: "It's very clear, which ever of these three candidates wins, Scotland loses."
He says they provided a "lamentable performance" and criticises all the candidates.
'This is a really big choice' - debate analysis
We're getting some post debate analysis now. Andy Maciver, former head of communications for the Scottish Conservatives, says the debate proved interesting because of how divergent the candidates are.
"For years we've been bemoaning how similar candidates are and we never get a choice - but this is a really, really big choice," he says.
He says the choice is very, very stark. "It's striking because you have a very clear continuity candidate and a very clear change candidate, and sometimes it sounds like they're' talking from different parties.
Shona Craven, a columnist at The National, says it also struck her that every candidate had a different answer to questions on health, money reform and staffing
"It's quite remarkable they all have a different solution," she says.
What did we learn from the debate?
Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent
It is clear that the candidates have developed their style somewhat as the campaign has gone on.
Where a few weeks ago they were kicking lumps out of each other, now they slip in their attacks more subtly while talking up their own policies.
It was also clear that change is coming to the Scottish government for the first time in a long time, with even serving ministers talking up reforms and looking to tinker with plans already in train.
And it was fascinating to see how all three dealt with a live studio audience from a mix of personal and political backgrounds for the first time.
The way members of the public reacted to the policy pitches was really as enlightening as the arguments themselves.
It will have been a stark reminder to the candidates that they need to win over SNP members to get the top job – but they will need to convince the nation at large to keep it.
What did the candidates' supporters think?
Tracey Guy, who is supporting Kate Forbes, says there was unity in the desire to eradicate poverty.
She says: "Kate stands out because she is authentic, she tells the truth and she stands up for what she believes in."
Michael Sturrock is backing Humza Yousaf and says he is "head and shoulders above the others".
He adds Humza is the best communicator and has the most progressive vision that will unite the party.
Finally Bailey-Lee Robb, who is firmly in the Ash Regan camp says: "The only way for Ash is up."
He says she won that debate hands down and that the audience laughed at Humza Yousaf, not the other two candidates.
Post update
Analysis: This time there's been a focus on policy
Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent
This has, broadly, been a debate focused on policy rather than personality - something summed up when Humza Yousaf said he was "not going to sit here and slag off colleagues in government".
He did clash with Kate Forbes over her approach to business, but that was teed up by the audience more than the candidates themselves.
When given the chance, the trio have not sought to land punches on each other. The cross-examination portion of the debate was notably less fiery than in previous events.
That may be in part because yellow-on-yellow attacks are greeted with glee by opposition parties, but it is also a mark of how the candidates have developed their approach.
Rather than seeking to savage Humza Yousaf in the cross-examination section, this time Kate Forbes asked policy-laden questions which promoted her own strengths on economic issues.
Ash Regan brought up gender reform - again, something she sees as a strength of her own campaign.
Humza Yousaf was actually ticked off by Stephen Jardine for talking about his own policies at length when he was meant to be questioning Kate Forbes.
This may be because of the fear that mud thrown now could still be stuck when future elections roll around.
But it may also be because this race uses a single transferable vote system – and in a tight contest, second-preference votes could turn out to be crucial.
It may be more profitable to make friends than to try to knock out opponents entirely.
All three candidates say Scotland will be independent within five years
Stuart Bonner asks: “If you win, will Scotland become independent within five years?”
Humza Yousaf says: "I believe it can be and I want to be the one to deliver it but we have to stop talking about policy... and build a consistent majority for independence."
Kate Forbes says she believes Scottish independence will come sooner than in five years. "If you make the case and see the dial shift in support, there will be a route forward."
Ash Regan says Scotland will become independent in five years if she becomes first minister. For her "it's urgent - I want us to have all the power to create a better country for the people who live here". She says she would use a "voter empowerment mechanism to give people the power to say when they're ready for independence.
Forbes says SNP will gain trust by governing well
Kate Forbes says there is no path to independence without persuading No voters to vote Yes.
"We need to see a lot more respect in our political debates."
She says: "Govern well, you earn trust.
"We have to make the case on the economy."
Yousaf's three ways to grow support for Scottish independence
Humza Yousaf is giving his answer to the independence issue.
He cites three things the SNP needs to do to gain popularity for an independence vote: govern and govern well, have a strong economic case to put forward and to look at the government and be inspired by the government to "release this countries potential and reverse the betrayal of Brexit".
Will the candidates govern for all Scots - regardless of their support for independence?
Moving on to the issue of independence, Kathryn Wilson asks the candidates how would they appeal to and represent those opposed to independence if they were to become first minister?
Ash Regan says half of Scots want indepndence and half don't and the job of first minister is to govern for everyone.
She says she would move the independence campaign away from government into civil society to co-design the campaign and speak to people, and to have conversations with friends and neighbours for "gentle persuasion on the issues.
She says schools and hospitals would be better in an independent Scotland, and "we'll all be wealthier and the country will be fairer".
Will you back me if I become first minister, Yousaf asks rival Forbes
Humza Yousaf asks Kate Forbes if he's chosen as first minister, will she back him?
Forbes says whoever wins, she will back to the hilt "because I'm a democrat. If it's either of you it will be my privilege to support you in those roles".
Ash Regan asks Kate Forbes what she would do inside the party to modernise it.
Forbes says the SNP needs to ensure people across Scotland can influence policy such as teachers and businesses "because we're accountable to our members".
SNP need to support key businesses and industry - Forbes
The next question goes to Kate Forbes. Terence Chan says that Forbes has said "continuity doesn't cut it anymore and we can't keep doing the same things".
He asks her which policies of the Scottish government during her time as a minister does she think are no longer appropriate and what would she do differently?
Forbes says the SNP needs to turbocharge the economy by supporting small businesses and key industries, such as renewables and a green economy.
She says she would go back and listen to businesses and workers who have identified challenges.
She highlights the proposed ban on alcohol advertising which would hamstring that industry while not resolving the core issues of alcohol abuse.
Yousaf tells Forbes he wants to improve childcare to grow economy
Kate Forbes asks what Humza Yousaf would do on day one to create wealth.
Humza Yousaf says he believes in progressive taxation and that his childcare policy will help to grow the economy.
Kate Forbes asks how he would ensure there would be more jobs created in Scotland.
Yousaf insists the Scottish government is doing a good job on this and childcare will help people get into jobs.
What happened with Isla Bryson was wrong, Yousaf tells Regan
Ash Regan says the government was warned about issues like rapists in women's prisons.
She asks why Humza Yousaf voted against amendments that would have provided safeguards.
He replies that she never raised this with him when he was justice secretary.
Yousaf explains the prison service has a policy that any man that has a history of violence against women cannot be in a women's prison.
"What happened with Isla Bryson was wrong."
He adds: "Isla Bryson is a rapist who is completely at it."
He insists there are safeguards in place.
Ferry purchase not the government's finest moment, says Yousaf
Humza Yousaf is being questioned now. Scott Jack asks him: “How would you ensure your transport minister procures ferries in an expedient manner?”
Yousaf says: "It's unacceptable. We've got to put our hands up."
"On 801 and 802 we've let our island communities down."
He is referring to Glen Sannox and hull 802, the two over-budget and delayed ferries being constructed at the nationalised Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow.
He says when he's first minister he will invest in replacing an ageing fleet.
Yousaf accepts there have been challenges at the shipyard but the jobs had to be saved.
He accepts this has not been the government's finest moment.
SNP should review pact with Scottish Greens, Regan says
Ash Regan says she wants to work with all pro-independence parties.
At a previous debate, she claimed she had been in touch with the leaders of all pro-independence parties - but the Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie tweeted that wasn't true.
Regan says the Greens hadn't called her back when she contacted them but she's "very keen" to talk to them.
She says she will try to reach out to the Scottish Green party again tomorrow.
"We've all got to work together, the Greens are a key part of that," she says.
She says their parties are aligned on independence but in other areas, they're not so aligned and the SNP needs to review that.
Questions now for Ash Regan - from the audience and the other candidates
Kate Doherty asks Ash Regan why, if she’s keen to involve the Alba party and groups from the wider independence movement, is she “less keen” to work with the Green Party?
Candidates debate merits of deposit return scheme
Kate Forbes says she's been away from seven months and she would have stopped the scheme.
Humza Yousaf believes in continuing the policy and bringing it live in the autumn, but would exclude small businesses.
However, the health secretary does not want to pause the scheme.
Ash Regan points out we need to listen better to the public.
She says we have got to the point where it seems like the government isn't listening.
The former minister turns to gender reform and says her concerns on this were dismissed.