Politicians respond to departure of First Minister
South Lanarkshire politicians have responded to Humza Yousaf stepping down as First Minister.
Yousaf stepped down from the government role and as SNP party leader after ending the Bute House agreement with government partners the Scottish Greens.
John Swinney was named SNP leader on Monday and became First Minister on Tuesday when MSPs gathered at the Scottish Parliament.
Local politicians have reacted to the news, with Monica Lennon, Scottish Labour and Co-op MSP for Central Scotland, saying: “Humza Yousaf ’s resignation as SNP leader brings his time as First Minister to an end.
“It will not bring an end to the turmoil within his own party and the Scottish Government, but on a personal level I join others in wishing Humza, Nadia and their family well, especially with a new baby on the way.
“As the outgoing First Minister has said himself, politics can be brutal.
“The SNP has led the Scottish Government for 17 years, and it has clearly not been working well for ages.
“Like everyone in Scotland, the people I represent across Lanarkshire deserve stability and competence.
“The only credible way through is now to let the people of Scotland decide who they want to run the government.
“We need an election, both in Edinburgh and at Westminster.”
SNP MSP for East Kilbride, Collette Stevenson, added: “Humza is a thoroughly decent man who put others before himself and he worked tirelessly during his time as First Minister.
“His resignation was dignified, and taking responsibility for his own actions and decisions of the past week [before his resignation] are to be commended.
“The SNP now need to unite behind his replacement so we can focus on the task at hand and take forward our progressive policies. Once SNP members have decided on a new leader, Parliament will then have the chance to vote them in as they have always done”
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey (SNP), said: “Humza Yousaf stepped up to lead the SNP at one of the most turbulent periods in our party’s history, and I will forever be thankful to him for doing so.
“As First Minister, he had an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the people of Scotland – whether through lifting 100,000 children out of poverty with policies like the Scottish Child Payment, or by delivering a Scotland-wide council tax freeze.
“And, of course, his statesmanship on Gaza has been unmatched across the UK.
“Politics is a tough business and public life can be brutal, but Humza’s resignation speech exemplified some of his very best traits – grace, compassion and humility.
“I wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”
Turn to page three for more on the reaction to the new First Minister.