Humza Yousaf has been elected as leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), filling the role vacated by Nicola Sturgeon.
Key points:
- Mr Yousaf was the only candidate who pledged to continue to fight for Scotland’s progressive policies regarding transgender people
- He will not take the mantle of Scottish First Minister until a vote on Tuesday
- The newly elected leader also promised to continue the SNP’s campaign for Scottish independence
He is the first Muslim leader of a major political party in Scotland, and is no stranger to such milestones – in 2012 Mr Yousaf became the youngest person, and the first from an ethnic minority background, to be appointed to the Scottish government when he took on the role of Minister for Europe and International Development at age 26.
Mr Yousaf won the vote with a 52 per cent majority, scraping past Kate Forbes, who campaigned on hard-line Christian values and campaigned on a platform of major changes in the SNP.
Also in contest was Ash Regan, who broke ranks with the SNP over the bill that would allow transgender people to self-identify, however she was eliminated early on with only 11 per cent of first preference votes.
He does not automatically become Scotland’s first minister with his election as leader of the party – that comes down to a vote at the Scottish parliament on Tuesday.
Mr Yousaf was widely considered the best candidate to smoothly continue Ms Sturgeon’s legacy, sharing many of her passions for independence and progressive values.
“We will deliver independence for Scotland – together as a team,” he pledged in his victory speech.
“My solemn commitment to you is that I will kickstart our grassroots, civic-led movement and ensure our drive for independence is in fifth gear.
“The people of Scotland need independence now more than ever before, and we will be the generation that delivers it.”
Mr Yousaf also committed to continue Ms Sturgeon’s fight against Westminster to push through the transgender self-identification legislation, which was controversially blocked by the UK government in January.
“I see (the UK decision) as a veto, as a power grab by the UK government. I don’t think they have any right to use that,” he said.
In stepping into the party leadership role, Mr Yousaf vacated the Health Secretary position he came to in 2021 when the service was overwhelmed following the first wave of COVID-19.
He was widely criticised for urging the public to “think twice” before calling for an ambulance during that period.
Mr Yousaf is the grandson of immigrants who arrived in Glasgow in the 1960s.
Campaigning in February, he said his late grandfather came to Scotland from a small town in Pakistan in 1962 with barely a word of English.
“I don’t imagine in his wildest dreams that his grandson would one day be running to be first minister of Scotland,” he said.