Reeves demands that MSPs back bid to oust SNP
RACHEL Reeves broke UK Labour’s silence on the political chaos in Holyrood – demanding MSPs back her party’s efforts to topple Humza Yousaf and trigger an election.
The shadow chancellor said MSPs should back Anas Sarwar’s no-confidence motion against the Scottish Government so the SNP administration “will fall and there’ll be fresh elections”.
She said: “We now have two broken governments: the SNP in Scotland and the Conservatives in Westminster. It is time for fresh elections in Scotland and across the UK.
“The SNP are terribly divided and that is having a real impact on the lives and communities across Scotland. We don’t just want another leader of the SNP – we’ve already had two during this parliament so far.”
It came amid political wrangling in Holyrood as Yousaf clings onto his premiership by a thread.
Scottish Labour were understood to be reaching out to the Greens yesterday to see whether the party can be persuaded to support their motion of no confidence in the Government.
A separate Tory motion has also been lodged, which expresses no confidence in the First Minister.
While the Scottish Conservatives’ motion is narrower and may not necessarily trigger an election, Labour are hoping the Greens will not back it out of fear of associating with the Tories.
If passed, Labour’s motion could precipitate an early Holyrood election because Yousaf would need to resign and the Parliament will be forced to choose his successor.
If MSPs are unable to elect a new first minister, the county will go to the polls earlier than expected – with the next election not set to take place until 2026.