Scotland's First Minister, Humza Yousaf, has resigned ahead of potential defeat in two confidence votes. Yousaf, who took office on March 29, 2023, as the youngest and first Scottish Asian and Muslim to hold the position, announced his resignation at a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh on Monday after serving for just over a year. He informed his party's national secretary of his decision and called for a leadership contest to find his successor promptly.
Yousaf intends to remain as First Minister until his replacement is elected, as reported by the UK Guardian. Reflecting on his tenure, Yousaf expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Scotland, highlighting the progress in diversity and multiculturalism in the UK. He emphasized the importance of celebrating such diversity, noting the achievements of individuals from various backgrounds in positions of influence.
Born in Glasgow to immigrant parents from Pakistan and Kenya, Yousaf became the first minority ethnic First Minister of Scotland. He garnered public support for his efforts, including calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. However, his resignation follows the collapse of a power-sharing agreement between his Scottish National Party and the Green Party, leading to motions of no confidence against him and the Scottish government.
Yousaf's decision to step down comes amid challenges faced by the SNP, including a police investigation into its finances and the resignation of former leader Nicola Sturgeon. Despite expressing confidence in winning the confidence vote, Yousaf acknowledged that he would not compromise his values for power. He pledged to continue advocating for underrepresented voices from the backbenches of the Scottish Parliament and expressed optimism about Scotland's future independence.
