Humza wins race to be new leader
The votes have been counted and the next leader of Scotland has been chosen.
Humza Yousaf is the First Minister elect and barring any major drama, will be confirmed as the country’s foremost politician in Holyrood later today.
The 37-year-old is the first Muslim to lead a major UK party and is Scotland’s first ethnic minority leader.
The result of the ballot of SNP members was revealed yesterday.
Each member had one vote and 50,490 of them partook in the voting exercise, out of 72,169 members eligible to.
In the first round, the current health secretary, Mr Yousaf, received 48.2 per cent, Kate Forbes 40.7 per cent, and Ash Regan 11.1 per cent.
As no candidate received more than 50 per cent of the votes, Ash Regan, the candidate with the lowest share of the vote following the first round was removed and votes from those who voted for her were then distributed between Mr Yousaf and Ms Forbes, based on who they put as their second preference.
This then boosted Mr Yousaf across the finishing line, but only narrowly, as he achieved 52 per cent of votes, compared to 48 per cent for Ms Forbes in the second round, with Mr Yousaf receiving 26,032 votes and Ms Forbes 23,890 in total.
Speaking yesterday after the announcement of his success, Mr Yousaf said:“To serve my country as First Minister will be the greatest privilege and honour of my life, should Parliament decide to elect me as Scotland’s next First Minister tomorrow.”
Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP, Gavin Newlands took to social media to congratulate his colleague. He tweeted:
“Congratulations to Humza Yousaf and commiserations to Kate.
“Now, let’s get on with winning independence and making Scotland a fairer, healthier and wealthier place to live.”