Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, is reportedly set to resign on Monday following the fallout from his decision to end a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens. The decision came after Yousaf realized he wouldn’t survive a confidence vote triggered by the move. Senior members of the Scottish National Party (SNP) were informed of his decision over the weekend, with John Swinney potentially stepping in as interim first minister if Yousaf departs, although Swinney has reservations due to personal reasons.
Yousaf’s position became increasingly precarious after he terminated the SNP’s deal with the Greens, citing its expiration. This move prompted a confidence vote in his leadership by the Conservatives and another in his government by Labour. His resignation would set off a 28-day deadline for the Scottish parliament to select a new first minister.
Humza Yousaf (Credits: Business LIVE)
The challenge for the SNP lies in reaching internal agreement on a candidate and securing support from other parties, given its minority status in parliament. Failure to do so could necessitate a parliamentary election. Labour’s deputy national campaign coordinator called for Scottish voters to have a say in the process, highlighting the chaos surrounding Yousaf’s leadership.
The Greens expressed willingness to support a minority SNP administration but emphasized their lack of trust in Yousaf. Co-leader Patrick Harvie stated that Yousaf had broken trust and suggested it would be difficult to restore. Yousaf’s attempts to rebuild the SNP’s image as a stable governing force ahead of a UK-wide election faced challenges due to unpopular policies inherited from Nicola Sturgeon’s tenure, particularly those developed in collaboration with the Greens.
Tensions with the Greens escalated when the government abandoned a plan to significantly reduce carbon emissions by 2030, a decision that strained the relationship between the SNP and the Greens. Yousaf’s resignation reflects broader political turbulence in Scotland, with implications for the SNP’s future leadership and governance strategies.
