Hours after he cancelled a speech on Scottish independence amid the growing crisis for the SNP, Mr Yousaf told Sky News: “I intend absolutely to fight that vote of no confidence – I’ve got every intention of winning that vote of no confidence.”
The beleaguered SNP leader, who succeeded Nicola Sturgeon last March, could be forced to quit as soon as next week, as his former coalition partners are planning to topple him in a vote of no confidence.
The Scottish Tories, led by Douglas Ross, tabled the motion just hours after the governing partnership collapsed as the SNP leader ended his coalition agreement with the Greens. Labour is also tabling a motion of no confidence in the Scottish government itself, which could force an election. Mr Ross has said he will back Labour’s motion.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said it is now “a matter of when, not if, Humza Yousaf resigns”. But he told LBC that “it would be completely untenable for the SNP to presume they could impose another unelected first minister on Scotland”.
Mr Yousaf vowed to fight the no-confidence vote next week, saying he has “every intention of winning”. The first minister added: “And let me say to the opposition, for minority government to work in the interest of the people of Scotland also requires the opposition to act in good faith.”
He said he has heard the “anger and upset” of the Green Party after he ejected it from the Scottish government on Thursday.
This story is from the April 27, 2024 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the April 27, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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