What Will Humza Yousaf's Resignation Mean for the Future of the Scottish Parliament?"

The Scottish political landscape is currently in a state of upheaval as Humza Yousaf, the seventh leader of the Scottish Parliament, has stepped down amidst turmoil in Holyrood. The collapse of the power-sharing agreement between the Scottish National Party (SNP) and the Greens has sent shockwaves through the political establishment, leading to speculation about the future direction of Scottish politics.

Humza Yousaf, born in Glasgow to a Pakistani father and Kenyan mother, has been a prominent figure in Scottish politics since his election as an MSP for Glasgow Pollok at the age of 26. Over the years, he has held various ministerial positions, and has the claim to being the first non-white and Muslim minister in Holyrood. His tenure as first minister, however, has been marred by controversy and internal strife within the SNP.

The crisis began when Yousaf announced the end of the power-sharing deal between the SNP and the Scottish Green Party. This move, prompted by disagreements over climate targets and gender services, sparked outrage among Green Party members and led to the collapse of the agreement. As a result, opposition parties, including the Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats, planned motions of no confidence against Yousaf, plunging Holyrood into chaos.

Facing mounting pressure, Yousaf initially vowed to fight the no-confidence motions, but ultimately announced his resignation, admitting that he had underestimated the feelings of the Green Party. In an emotional statement, he expressed his unwillingness to compromise his principles for the sake of retaining power, signalling a tumultuous end to his tenure as first minister.

With Yousaf's resignation, the future of Scottish politics hangs in the balance. The possibility of an early election looms large, although John Swinney, a potential successor, has ruled out such a scenario. Instead, the focus now shifts to the SNP, which must choose a new leader capable of securing the support of MSPs in Holyrood.

The Scottish Greens, despite being ousted from the government, could still play a pivotal role in the days ahead. Their decision on how to vote in the motion of no confidence against the Scottish Government could determine the outcome of the crisis. Meanwhile, the prospect of an election remains a distinct possibility if no new first minister is selected within the next 28 days or if the current government lose the impending vote of no confidence.