Humza Yousaf has resigned as Scotland’s first minister following a failure to gather enough support to navigate a major crisis with the Scottish Greens. His departure has created turmoil within the Scottish National Party (SNP), just over a year since he assumed office. Former leader John Swinney is now the frontrunner to become Scotland’s next first minister, with many bookmakers suspending betting on his candidacy.
Swinney, who previously left the government after Nicola Sturgeon stepped down in February 2023, is considering standing as a unity candidate amidst pressure from senior SNP figures. He acknowledged the overwhelming support he’s received within the party and stated that he’s actively considering the option.
Yousaf admitted to sparking the crisis by unilaterally ending a government coalition deal with the Scottish Greens, leading to their demand for his resignation. In a statement from Bute House, Yousaf expressed his belief that repairing relationships across the political spectrum requires new leadership.
He intends to stay on as first minister until his successor is elected, emphasizing the need for a leader who can navigate a minority government dependent on opposition support. The SNP’s survival hinges on Scottish Labour either withdrawing its motion of no confidence or having it defeated.
To avoid further damage to the SNP’s popularity, party insiders anticipate persuading Kate Forbes, the former finance secretary, to step aside in favor of Swinney. Forbes narrowly lost to Yousaf in the previous leadership contest and is expected to run if Swinney declines.
Despite acknowledging the demanding nature of the role, Swinney is considering the request, balancing it with his family’s needs. Party veterans view him as the best option to stabilize the party after recent tumult, including a police investigation into SNP finances and embezzlement charges against Peter Murrell, Sturgeon’s husband and the party’s former chief executive.
Swinney’s experience and track record, including a previous stint as SNP leader, make him more appealing to party members than Forbes. The Scottish Greens are unlikely to work with Forbes due to her socially conservative views on various issues.
Yousaf faced two confidence votes in Holyrood amid the crisis sparked by his decision to terminate the governing partnership with the Scottish Greens. With the Greens withdrawing support and the SNP falling two votes short of a majority, Yousaf was left reliant on the vote of a defector from the SNP to Alex Salmond’s Alba party.
Criticism within the SNP towards Green influence on policy direction led to the scrapping of the coalition agreement. The Scottish Greens had planned a vote on the agreement’s future following concerns over climate targets and NHS Scotland’s decision on puberty blockers.
Yousaf, Scotland’s first leader of Asian and Muslim heritage, has confronted numerous challenges during his tenure, including ongoing police investigations into party finances and the embezzlement charges against Sturgeon and Murrell.
In response to Yousaf’s resignation, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called for an election, arguing that the SNP is divided and incapable of addressing Scotland’s challenges. He emphasized the need for democratic decision-making in choosing Scotland’s leader.
Humza Yousaf’s resignation has triggered a leadership crisis within the SNP, with John Swinney emerging as a potential successor. The party faces challenges in maintaining stability and regaining public trust amidst ongoing controversies and political turbulence.