Humza Yousaf quit as Scotland’s fi rst minister yesterday to clear the way for a new leader capable of giving the Scottish National party stability after a series of damaging crises.
During a dramatic day largely orchestrated by party managers, the first minister announced he would step down just as a veteran former leader, John Swinney, quickly emerged as the favourite to succeed him.
Swinney, who had served as Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy until she quit in February 2023, confi rmed he was “giving very careful consideration” to standing as a unity candidate after coming under intense pressure to do so from senior fi gures inside the SNP.
Various bookmakers said they had stopped taking bets on Swinney being the next fi rst minister.
“I’ve been somewhat overwhelmed by the requests that have been made for me to do that, with many, many messages from many colleagues across the party,” he told Sky News. “So I’m giving that issue very active consideration.”
In a hastily arranged speech in Edinburgh. Yousaf admitted that he had triggered the crisis by unilaterally scrapping a coalition deal with the Scottish Greens four days ago, which left the SNP ruling as a minority government.
His decision led to the Greens demanding Yousaf’s resignation and triggered two no-confidence motions tabled by opposition parties, which threatened to bring the Scottish government down.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin April 30, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin April 30, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
New cougar seen in Los Angeles year after celebrity big cat's death
It has been more than a year since the death of P-22, a beloved Los Angeles cougar known as the \"Brad Pitt of mountain lions\", whose passing inspired murals, songs and celebrations across the city.
Aid operations UN says 1.1m face famine after supplies slow to trickle
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is likely to worsen again as deliveries of aid and fuel to the Palestinian territory slow to a trickle in the wake of Israel's two-week-old ground offensive in the southern city of Rafah.
Climate Big claims - but policies came up short
Every time a minister is asked about the climate crisis, the answer is the same.
McKenna's suitors ready to fight for humble but world-class coach
Northern Irishman works in a nourishing environment at Ipswich, but might Chelsea or Brighton tempt him away?
Maresca enters race Chelsea eye Leicester coach with McKenna in demand
Chelsea have intensified their search for Mauricio Pochettino's replacement by making checks on Leicester's Enzo Maresca, but candidates for the job believe that Ipswich's Kieran McKenna is the favourite to take over at Stamford Bridge.
Supporters want women's own football TV slot, survey reveals
Fans also raise concerns over concentration of power at top of the Women's Super League
Lookman's triple treat for Atalanta brings down Leverkusen
Nothing, not the Roman Empire, not the Zhou dynasty, not even Last of the Summer Wine, lasts forever, and neither did Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten run.
British Olympic breaststroke champion Wilkie dies aged 70
The British Olympic swimming champion David Wilkie has died at the age of 70.
M&S boss heralds growth for 'years to come' as a million new shoppers boost profits
The boss of Marks & Spencer says he is hopeful of a \"growth story for years to come\" after the revitalised retailer won over 1 million more shoppers to boost profits by 41%.
Iranians gather for funeral of president killed in air crash
Tens of thousands of Iranians attended the funeral yesterday of the Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, whose death in a helicopter accident on a fog-shrouded mountain on Sunday has opened up a potentially volatile moment in Iranian politics.