WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

Election expert says swapping Yousaf for Swinney is the 'worst thing' unionists could have done but new FM faces huge challenge

- CHRIS MCCALL

BRINGING down Humza Yousaf was "the worst thing the unionists could have done", the country's top polling expert has said.

Professor John Curtice told the Record the impending appointment of John Swinney as the next first minister would give the SNP "an opportunity to repair things" ahead of a crucial general election later this year.

But the University of Strathclyde academic also warned the veteran Nationalist faced a "substantial challenge" to unite his party after a series of setbacks over the last year.

The SNP saw support slide in the polls following Nicola Sturgeon's resignation and the ramping up of a police investigation into the party's finances.

It also faces a revived Scottish Labour which is confident of unseating Nationalists across the country at the general election.

Asked what challenges Swinney faced as leader, Curtice said: "The first is to a unite his party.

"Secondly, is restore relationships with the Greens - because I think one of the lessons of the last week is they are the only likely source of sustainable support for minority government.

"Thirdly, is to persuade people in Scotland the SNP's record in government is rather better than they think it is at the moment.

"He also has to try and reignite the debate about independence, which has been rather flat.