Scottish First Minister Yousaf faces no-con†dence votes

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf on Friday said he would not resign following the end of a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens that led to Opposition parties backing a no-con‡dence motion against him.

Speaking at an event in Dundee, Mr. Yousaf said he would not resign and was con‡dent of winning the vote. The Scottish politician said he would lead the party into the U.K.’s coming general elections as well as Scottish elections in 2026.

Mr. Yousuf ended a power sharing agreement (the Bute House agreement) with the Scottish Greens on Thursday as cracks appeared in an already fragile agreement, following the SNPs decision last week to scrap climate targets. The Scottish Tories tabled a motion of no-con‡dence against Mr. Yousaf and Scottish Labour has tabled a motion against the entire government.

“The people of Scotland deserve a fresh start — this can only come with a Scottish election,” Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said, pointing to the National Health Service (NHS) appointment waiting lists and public ‡nances.

Co-leader of the Scottish Greens, Patrick Harvie, said Mr. Yousaf did not have the con‡dence of the Scottish Parliament and needed to face the outposition come of ending the power sharing agreement.

“He needs to bear the consequences of that reckless and damaging decision,” Mr. Harvie told news agency PA Media.

To stay in power after a vote against him, Mr. Yousaf will need the support of his 63 SNP colleagues as well as the backing of 65 other Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). If he does not survive the vote, the SNP will have to ‡nd a new leader within 28 days, failing which there will be fresh elections in Scotland. If the SNP as a whole loses the vote, fresh elections will have to be called within 28 days.

On Friday, Mr. Yousaf said he hoped to work with the Greens on issue by issue basis.

Eyes were also on how Ash Regan, a one-time contender for the SNP leader and now a member of former First Minister Alex Salmond’s Alba Party would vote. The Alba Party said it would not back Labour’s no-con‡dence motion and said those supporting independence for Scotland could rely on the Alba Party.

“As much as Humza Yousaf and the SNP ‡nd themselves in a tricky predicament, independence supporters will not turn back to the yoke of Tory and Labour mediocrity,” an Alba Party spokesperson said.

The votes of no-con‡dence could be held as early as next week.

REUTERS Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf speaks to the media during a visit to Dundee, Scotland on Friday.