Just days after asserting his determination to withstand a vote of no confidence, Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, has stepped down as leader of the SNP. Yousaf’s resignation comes as a result of his inability to regain the support of the Greens following the dissolution of the coalition government and his refusal to engage with Alex Salmond’s Alba Party. This move has left both the SNP and the independence movement in a state of turmoil.
Yousaf’s series of missteps leading up to his resignation have been criticized as a textbook example of political mismanagement. The unraveling began when the Greens raised concerns about the Bute House Agreement (BHA), prompting an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to be called. Yousaf’s abrupt termination of the agreement without negotiation further fueled the Greens’ dissatisfaction, leading to their refusal to support him in the impending no-confidence vote initiated by Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross.
Facing a precarious situation with support evenly divided, Yousaf found himself reliant on the lone MSP from Alba, Ash Regan, a former SNP member who contested against him in the previous year’s leadership election before defecting to Alba.
Yousaf dismissed Regan’s move to Alba as inconsequential, but the strategic positioning of Alba and their demands for concessions, including commitments to women and children’s safety and progress on independence, highlighted the deep divisions within the independence movement. Alba’s insistence on the SNP conceding ground in Scottish constituencies further underscored the ongoing feud between Salmond and his successor, Nicola Sturgeon.
The rift over issues like the Gender Recognition Reform (GRR) bill has exacerbated tensions within the SNP, pitting gender-critical factions against progressive elements represented by the Greens. Yousaf’s decision to abandon the BHA was seen as an attempt to assert control but only served to expose his vulnerability to opposing factions within the party.
As discussions turn to finding a successor, Kate Forbes emerges as a prominent contender, appealing to rural voters but potentially alienating the Greens due to her conservative stances. Alternatively, attention is drawn to figures like John Swinney, viewed as unifying and capable, who may be persuaded to return to the forefront of Scottish politics.
Yousaf’s resignation leaves the SNP grappling with introspection, pondering the consequences of his decisions and the absence of foresight in navigating the party through this tumultuous period. As Scotland faces uncertain political terrain, the search for stable leadership becomes paramount in guiding the nation through future challenges.
