Highland MSP launches vote of no confidence in Humza Yousaf as SNP-Greens coalition implodes
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A move by a Highland MSP could see First Minister Humza Yousaf dumped out of office. It came just hours after Mr Yousaf announced the end of the coalition agreement between the SNP and the Greens.
The end of the Bute House Agreement was intended as a strong move but ultimately it was used by the Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems and even the Greens to batter Mr Yousaf.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross seized on it to announce a motion of no confidence in the SNP leader that could be voted on next week.
The revelation came during a bruising session of Holyrood that saw Labour leader Anas Sarwar say that "for once people agree with Lorna Slater" that the First Minister is "weak, hopeless and untrustworthy".
The Lib Dem’s Alex Cole-Hamilton said “we need an end to this entire government” and Green co-leader Patrick Harvie asked who Mr Yousaf was pleasing most Douglas Ross, Fergus Ewing or Alex Salmond?
The coalition government spectacularly imploded after a torrid week since the government abandoned its goal of cutting carbon emissions by 75 per cent by 2030.
Pressure increased after Mr Harvie refused to say if the Cass Report into gender identity services for children was scientific or not.
Then Alba MSP Ash Regan tabled her motion of no confidence in Mr Harvie and MSP Fergus Ewing revealed he would rebel again.
The Inverness and Nairn MSP said: “There is not a cat’s chance in hell I could ever vote for Patrick Harvie to remain a minister, not in this or in any future millennium that I am alive in will I vote for Patrick Harvie – and you can quote me on that.”
But now the beleaguered First Minister has Mr Ewing’s support to reorient the party to “what the people of Scotland really want” by “working with the other parties.”
“The deal with the Greens has been deeply damaging to the SNP,” Mr Ewing said. “It has resulted in our loss of support, loss of confidence and we have been associated with and damaged by the association with a group of politicians who are frankly extremists.”
“I am delighted the deal has finally been terminated and I do believe the First Minister has an opportunity to turn a page and focus on the people’s real priorities and deliver competent government.”
Mr Yousaf’s one time rival for the leadership Kate Forbes also welcomed the move to ditch the Greens, saying: “I firmly believe the Scottish Parliament is strongest when there is thorough, public debate; the government is most effective when its priorities match the public's and the SNP is most electable as a broad tent, representative of the nation.”
She added “It is worth recalling our core objectives: to serve Scotland's people, end inequality, eradicate poverty, govern well and pursue prosperity, like other independent nations.”
The vote of no confidence in Mr Yousaf which at the time of going to press has the support of the Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems with the Greens still to decide.
Mr Ross explained his reasons for bringing it forward: “Humza Yousaf’s government is in crisis. It has unravelled. He has abandoned the platform he stood on. This weak First Minister jumped before Green members pushed him.
“The Scottish Conservatives will lodge a Vote of No Confidence in Humza Yousaf. He has failed as First Minister. He has focused on the wrong priorities. He has governed in the SNP’s interests, not Scotland’s interests. He is unfit for office.”
