Scottish National Party's Humza Yousaf Steps Down As Scotland's First Minister (Photo on X Humza Yousaf @HumzaYousaf)Humza Yousaf, the Scottish National Party (SNP) leader and the first Minister announced his resignation today following his decision to end his power-sharing deal with the Scottish Green Party on Thursday. He had assumed office in March 2023. Following arguments over the SNP’s indefensible position towards climate targets, Mr Yousaf cut ties with the Green Party. He was also the firs Muslim First Minister of Scotland.
The issue emerged as the government recently decided to scrap the plan to cut carbon emissions by 75 percent by 2030, terming it not a attainable goal. Subsequently, the youngest first Minister‘s former Green allies teamed up with the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats to get behind two no-confidence motions, one in himself as leader of Scotland and another regarding the entire Scottish government.
However, before the potential no-confidence voting, Mr Yousaf stepped down as Scotland’s first minister. While resigning today, he stated that he was not willing to treat my values and principles or do deals with whomever simply to retain power, adding that he will remain in office until a replacement first minister is selected.
“To my colleagues in opposition, regardless of political party, genuinely, I bear no ill will and certainly no grudge against anyone.” the first minister said in his speech at Bute House in Edinburgh.
The SNP leader further said that it was an honour for him to serve as the first minister of Scotland, noting that he had never dreamt of becoming the first minister as a young boy in Scotland. Praising the multiculturalism, he noted that the people now live in a UK that has a British Hindu prime minister, a Muslim mayor of London, a black Welsh first minister, and for a little while longer a Scottish Asian first minister of this country.
The 39-year-old Yousaf also claimed that for those who decry that multiculturalism has failed across the UK, he would suggest that the evidence is quite to the contrary, asking people to celebrate multiculturalism. Hamza Yousaf has held several ministerial positions in the Scottish Government since 2012. He joined the cabinet in June 2018 as Cabinet Secretary for Justice. In May 2021, he was appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.
Reports say that following the resignation, many suggested names have been emerging in place of Hamza Yousuf.