FIRST AMONG EQUALS

Yousaf vows to be a leader for all Scots, while reassuring Nats base that he'll wrest back the initiative on independence. Salmond sceptical about 'continuity' candidate but Sturgeon believes that her successor is right choice

- BY CHRIS MCCALL

HUMZA Yousaf has pledged to "dedicate every waking moment" to the people of Scotland after being voted in as new SNP leader and first minister elect.

And he reassured his own party base that he would try to wrest back the initiative on IndyRef2 by asking for a Section 30 from the UK Government "right away".

The 37-year-old, who held off Kate Forbes with Ash Regan a distant third, used his victory speech to also reach out to Labour voters by quoting former leader John Smith.

Yousaf said: "The opportunity to serve is all we ask.

He added his "immediate priority" would be dealing with the cost-of-living crisis, as well as working to "recover and reform our NHS and other vital public services".

He also pledged to "move quickly" on campaign pledges made to extend childcare, improve rural housing and provide greater support for small businesses.

The Glasgow MSP stressed he was "determined" to secure independence for Scotland, saying: "Joining the SNP, for me, was an act of hope and also statement of intent." And he pledged to "kickstart" a grassroots campaign to ensure our drive for independence is in fifth gear.

Yousaf said: "The people of Scotland need independence now more than ever before and we will be the generation that delivers independence for Scotland." A spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak played down Yousaf's chances of a second referendum, saying: "I think you know our well-established position.

"Reducing inflation, dealing with the cost of living, tackling backlogs, those are the issues the public care about." And Yousaf's predecessor, former first minister, and Alba leader, Alex Salmond had his own advice for his successor.