FM won’t rule out Holyrood election
HUMZA Yousaf has said he “wouldn’t rule out a Holyrood election” as he faces votes of no confidence in the Scottish Parliament.
The Tories plan a vote on his role as First Minister, while Scottish Labour has lodged a motion of no confidence in the whole Scottish Government, which would force him to resign.
Yesterday the First Minister was in fightback mode stating he won’t resign and he intends to win the votes.
However, he has conceded there could be an election at Holyrood.
Speaking to Channel 4 News, on a visit in Dundee, he denied the day when he sacked the Greens and ended the Bute House Agreement was the “beginning of the end”.
He said: “Not at all.
“We will fight that vote of no confidence.
“I’ve got every intention to win that vote of no confidence.”
The First Minister said minority government will be “tough” but he is “concentrating on the priorities of the people”.
He spoke as he announced an £ 80 million package for affordable housing.
Yousaf said the opposition were playing “political games” and the SNP were elected as the biggest party at Holyrood by a “considerable distance”.
Asked if Parliament votes it has no confidence in him next week, will he respect that and resign immediately, he replied: “I don’t hypothesise at all on loss.”
The First Minister added: “I intend to win that vote of no confidence.
“As part of that, I’m writing to all of the political parties – not just the party groups – to say let’s have a discussion about how we make minority government work because it also includes not just the government actions, but depends on the actions of the opposition acting in good faith instead of playing political games.”
Even though he could survive the votes by just one vote, if he secures the support of Alba MSP, and former rival for the SNP leadership, Ash Regan, he said he would be staying on.
Yousaf said: “If we win the vote of no confidence, I fully intend for the Government to continue the work it’s doing.”
Asked whether the SNP could afford a Holyrood election before a General Election, he said: “I certainly wouldn’t rule out a [ Holyrood] election. I’m intending to win the vote of no confidence, but I wouldn’t rule out a Holyrood election.
“We’re on an election footing – we’re prepared if that’s required.”