The election is being carried out using the multi-choice single transferrable vote system, which means that if Yousaf fails to win the contest on first-choice votes, Forbes could win in the second round if Regans supporters make her their second choice. ", She added: "It was a lively contest, I wish him well and I back him as he leads our party - and I would encourage everyone to get behind team SNP.". New SNP leader Humza Yousaf voted in as Scotlands first minister Mr Yousaf faces a number of difficult challenges as he takes office. He said he wanted to continue "working constructively with the Scottish government" to deliver on what he argued were the "people's priorities across Scotland, including the need to half inflation, delivering growth, and cut waiting times.". However, she currently is not a Member of the Scottish Parliament and therefore not a possible candidate for the position of Scottish first minister. Humza Yousaf has narrowly won the SNP leadership contest and now faces a number of difficult challenges as he takes office. Rudi Zygadlo; executive producer Far-right parties on the rise across Europe, The daring women standing up to troops in India, Mother of teenager killed in Iran tells of anguish. (modern). However, some in the party may view Robertson as too close to the ancien rgime, with many in Scottish politics clamouring for a break from the past. Video, 00:00:25Watch: Protesters attack Nike store in central Paris, Clashes intensify on third night of French riots. SNP leader Humza Yousaf accused of putting party's general election independence bid 'on steroids', Humza Yousaf rejects claim of 'collusion' between police and media in SNP finances probe, Humza Yousaf explains why A9 dualling announcement was shelved amid Tory criticism at FMQs. "But I also respect democracy. He told Sky News: "The problem for Nicola is time is running out, and I think she knows (that). Modi Almost Never Answers Reporters Questions - The New 2023 BBC. "Co-leader Lorna Slater added: "Climate justice and equality are at the heart of our shared vision, and we are delighted to be working with Humza Yousaf on delivering on our shared cooperation agreement. He pledged to continue many of Nicola Sturgeon's plans, and sounded the obvious note in favour of independence. An earlier subheading misspelled Humza Yousafs surname. A strong media performer, he led the countrys response to the Covid crisis, making him a household name in Scotland. To serve our people. A party I joined almost 20 years ago and that I love so dearly. In 2020, pupils from St Serf's Primary produced an educational cartoon based on the 26 stones of When questioned on Mr Yousaf's push for independence, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson said: "I think you know our well-established position. Unusual rise in child type 1 diabetes after Covid, Little Miss Sunshine actor Alan Arkin dies aged 89. Following his victory in the SNP leadership race on Monday, the 37-year-old faced a vote at Holyrood to confirm him as Nicola Sturgeon's successor. But we increasingly need our readers to fund our work. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said "There will be no empty promises or easy soundbites when the issues in front of us are difficult and complex. After Ms Sturgeon announced her intention to step down, Mr Yousaf, Ms Forbes and Ms Regan, who have all been ministers in the outgoing first minister's cabinet, entered the race for the top job. In the most significant development, Yousaf and Forbes both told SNP members it could take some years to build up sufficient support for independence to make it safe to stage a second independence referendum. Prior to the leadership vote, Mr Yousaf said if elected as first minister he will be a leader for "all of Scotland". Humza Yousaf has been confirmed as Scotland's new first minister after a vote in the Scottish Parliament. Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts. In an interview before his first official visit to Washington, Germanys defense minister staked out a broad geopolitical vision, taking Each party member - around 72,000 -ranks the three candidates in order of preference. Video, 00:01:17, Video shows wreckage of Titan sub brought ashore, confirmed as Scotland's new first minister. Holyrood was ruled not to have the power to legislate for the advisory referendum Sturgeon hoped to hold in October this year. All rights reserved. And he talked about the impact of being a Muslim in the UK in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Video, 00:00:47Mother's grief after son shot by police in France, Fires engulf Parisian streets on second night of riots. Why are French police using guns during traffic stops? Humza Yousaf announced as new Scottish National Party leader Silvio Berlusconi, Polarizing Former Prime Minister of Italy, Dies at SNP leader says general election win would be mandate for Humza Yousaf: who is the new leader of the SNP? "I wish Humza well as he does just that. ", But the Labour Party leader added: "The SNP do not have the answers on the NHS or on the cost of living crisis. Which Conservative MPs are first out the gate for the 2024 chicken run? In my head and in my heart I know that time is now, that it is right for me, for my party and for the country. The explosive leadership contest was sparked following Ms Sturgeon's shock resignation last month. The leadership contest featured rows over religious beliefs, arguments about the recollection of past events, and widespread criticism of secrecy surrounding the vote. They can express a preference for just one or two of the contenders if they wish. That the majority of MSPs in this parliament belong to parties led by two people of colour, two people of the Muslim faith. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. "Unfortunately, we have serious concerns about his ability. Who is Scotland's new first minister, Humza Yousaf? - BBC News Party co-leader Patrick Harvie said: "This overwhelming endorsement of our arrangement will allow us to continue with the progressive, collaborative politics we know can help deliver a fairer, greener and more equal Scotland for all. As Scotland correspondent Libby Brooks tells Hannah Moore, the resulting leadership contest has been a period of cold realisation for many supporters of Scottish independence. The former first minister faced questions on how prepared the Scottish government was for the pandemic and how it handled it. Humza Yousaf, Ash Regan and Kate Forbes had been battling it out for the top job following Nicola Sturgeon's shock resignation last month. Any MSP from any party can also be nominated for the vote. Scottish democracy cannot be a prisoner of Boris Johnson or any UK prime minister. I will stand up unequivocally for this parliament and against any attempts to undermine devolution. Humza Yousaf is announced as the new first minister on Tuesday. When will Scotlands new First Minister be - The Scottish Sun We pay for your stories and videos! Humza Yousaf has been sworn in as Scotland's new first minister, leaving many keen to know more about the politician's career and family life. She added: "Most of all I congratulate Humza Yousaf and wish him every success. Furthermore, in 2018, Forbes made an anti-abortion statement at a prayer breakfast, claiming the treatment of the unborn is a measure of true progress. Video, 00:00:47, Mother's grief after son shot by police in France, Fires engulf Parisian streets on second night of riots. "We would be better able to deal with support for our public services if we are in charge of all the levers that effectively determine the environment and the financial situation that we are operating within," she added. Ultimately, Swinneys experience means he is widely expected in Holyrood, but the SNP grassroots may want a more youthful voice to pick up Sturgeons torch and continue the fight on independence. Video, 00:01:07, Iconic Tiffany and Co store catches fire in NYC, Mother's grief after son shot by police in France. I will place no limits on the ambitions that we have collectively for ourselves, for our country or, indeed, for the world that we live in.". Scottish National party (SNP) This article is more than 1 month old Voting opens to select new SNP leader and Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes Political correspondent. "If I were in charge in Scotland, I would be looking very seriously at how to tackle that crisis. Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross also congratulated Mr Yousaf. But with a period of reflection on the rights and wrongs of Sturgeons premiership well underway, the focus is moving swiftly to the matter of who will take over from Sturgeon as party leader and hence Scottish first minister. 2401 SW 32nd Ave "Whatever the robust disagreements or frank exchanges of the last few weeks, I am confident we will unite behind Humza as our new party leader in the shared and common objective of independence. German Defense Minister Vows Stronger Geopolitical - The New Inclusivity, equality and respect for everyone were central to the SNPs recent successes, he said. This is a thing that is keeping families in Scotland awake at night, and she ought to be focusing on that.". Senior Conservative says Rwanda scheme is very difficult to justify. The voting lasts for two weeks, with the final result due to be announced on Monday 27 March. The following day, March 28, the Scottish Parliament will meet to begin proceedings to select the candidate to be appointed as First Minister. On 27 March, they will announce a new leader and perhaps the fate of their party. Following Ms Sturgeon's shock resignation last month, the race to replace her featured rows over religious beliefs, arguments about the recollection of past events, and widespread criticism of secrecy surrounding the vote. All rights reserved. Humza Yousaf has been officially elected as Scotland's new first minister after he was backed by a majority of MSPs. Sir Keir Starmer also sent his congratulations. Its vanishingly rare for Narendra Modi to directly field live questions from the press throughout a near decade in power. Queen meets Nicola Sturgeon in Scotland after first minister Presented by If someone gets more than 50% of the first-preference votes, they have won. Video, 00:01:59Who is Scotland's new first minister, Humza Yousaf? Following her defeat, Ms Forbes congratulated her colleague. So when the Indian prime It comes following an extended period of whispers about Sturgeons future, begun by a series of debacles. Mr Yousaf was backed by all 64 SNP MSPs and the seven Greens, with the two parties having a power-sharing agreement in the 129-seat parliament. Three candidates, Humza Yousaf, Ash Regan and Kate Forbes, have been vying to be Scotland's sixth First Minister since Ms Sturgeon announced her resignation on 15 Feburary. "My starting point will be that we all want the best for Scotland and the people that we are so privileged to represent. The plan is On both these issues the SNP is accursed with infighting. She also contested whether the right to call a fresh plebiscite lies with the UK's Supreme Court. Will Labour match the Conservatives stance on public sector pay review bodies? Forbes is also a strong media performer and someone who could potentially connect with the grassroots who are fed up with what they see as a cautious approach to independence. Window Classics-Bonita Springs The removal of nuclear weapons from Scottish soil will be enshrined in a post-independence constitution, Humza Yousaf, the first minister, has said. Video, 00:00:33Fires engulf Parisian streets on second night of riots, Video shows wreckage of Titan sub brought ashore. Royal Highland Show: Humza Yousaf vows to work with farmers in Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Scotland This article is more than 2 months old New SNP The tendency in Scottish politics for political secession to have generational implications will benefit Forbes cause. There was some broad-brush policy towards the end - a commitment to ease cost of living pressures and boost the NHS. All three opposition leaders stood against him but knew they had no prospect of being successful. has held a number of senior posts in government, including as transport minister, Europe minister and justice secretary. He said his government would listen carefully and pay respect to the views of all MSPs while standing up to any attempts to undermine devolution. Key priorities will include defining a clear plan for independence, how to progress with the controversial gender recognition reforms, tackling the country's drug deaths shame, alleviating the cost of living crisis, and turning the NHS around. 4925 SW 74th Ct Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you through the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning. Verity House Agreement signed by First Minister and COSLA President - 30th June 2023. Lorna Finn, the SNP's national secretary, said the total turnout in the leadership election was 70% with 50,490 of the SNP's 72,169 members casting a ballot. Russia Is Resilient After Uprising, Foreign Minister Says - The New What will be in First Minister Humza Yousaf's in-tray? But Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader in Westminster and a backer of Mr Yousaf, played down the likelihood of a snap election, telling Sky News: "The big difference between Scottish parliament and Westminster is that over the road their [in the House of Commons] MPs don't get to vote for who the prime minister is. Finance secretary Kate Forbes is a close second favourite, and would be viewed as a proving a possible break from the Sturgeon era. He said: Its also quite a signal of the progress that we have made as a country, as well as a parliament, that two of the candidates putting themselves forward are from minority ethnic communities. "Reducing inflation, dealing with the cost of living, tackling backlogs, those are the issues the public care about. Three candidates, Humza Yousaf, Ash Regan and Kate Forbes, have been vying to be Scotland's sixth First Minister since Ms Sturgeon announced her resignation 'I am disappointed Kate Forbes didn't accept the role in cabinet, she is exceptional', says Humza Yousaf. Following the vote, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak phoned Mr Yousaf to congratulate him. For a party that has grown used to success at the ballot box as well as iron internal discipline, it has been a bracing contest that is now in the hands of the partys membership. Internal party critics have argued such battles have scuppered momentum for Scotlands latest independence push. Yousaf becomes Scotlands youngest first minister and first from minority ethnic background. At the age of 37, Mr Yousaf has been an MSP since 2011 Scots overwhelmingly voted to remain in the bloc in the 2016 Brexit referendum. He added: "I will work every minute of every day to earn and re-earn your respect and your trust. ", Michael Gove, the communities and levelling up secretary, congratulated Mr Yousaf and joked in the Commons: "It has been noted that he won by the margin of 52% to 48%, so I hope that SNP colleagues will agree there is no need for another vote.". The Edinburgh Central MSP has found his way back from the political wilderness after a humiliating defeat at the 2017 general election, which saw the then-leader of the SNP at Westminster unseated by Douglas Ross, the current leader of the Scottish Conservatives. RT.com 28th June 2023, 22:32 GMT+10. But we told earlier how allies of Mr Yousaf fear he will be pipped at the post by rival Ms Forbes. 4141 S Tamiami Trl Ste 23 He described the moment as "a privilege of my life", and said Ms Sturgeon - who watched the vote from the backbenches - leaves "some very big shoes to fill indeed". John Swinney would be viewed as a safe option and some very close to Sturgeon, having served as her deputy first minister since 2014. His children were warned that Bute House's stairways offer plenty of space for a "naughty step". Mr Yousaf said it was a signal of the progress that Scotland has made that two of the nominees for first minister - himself and Mr Sarwar, who were at school together at the private Hutchesons' Grammar in Glasgow - were from minority ethnic communities. The Scottish Conservative leader, Douglas Ross, the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, and the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Alex Cole-Hamilton, all stood against Yousaf for the position of first minister in the Holyrood vote but failed to secure enough support. List of first ministers of Scotland - Wikipedia Opposition parties were able to put themselves forward in the process, but with the backing of the Greens - as well as his own SNP members - Mr Yousaf successfully saw off challenges from Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sawar and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton. In particular, I hope he will put his obsession with independence aside and concentrate on working with the UK government to make life better for people in Scotland.. Despite this, she remains popular with sections of the party faithful and her opposition to gender reform may have won her support in some quarters. Political reporter Nicola Sturgeon, Scotlands former first minister and once one of Britains most prominent politicians, was arrested on Sunday by police officers investigating the ", Click to subscribe to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast. Humza Yousaf: continuity candidate taking over as Scottish first minister, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. She would be an outside bet as a thorn in the current leaderships side, having been linked with a move to Alex Salmonds Alba Party. Mr Yousaf was congratulated by Shona Robison, who will become his deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon now sits on the back benches at Holyrood. Video, 00:00:28Clashes intensify on third night of French riots, Virgin space plane takes off with first customers. Libby Brooks; produced by Humza Yousaf is announced as the new first minister on Tuesday. The SNP leader, Humza Yousaf, has been voted in by MSPs as Scotlands youngest first minister and the first from a minority ethnic background. "She's launching an election bid. 28 Mar 2023. Can the SNP stomach another independence setback? Yousafs election at Holyrood comes after he won the SNP leadership contest on Monday, beating his closest rival, Kate Forbes, by picking up 52% of votes compared with her 48%, when second preferences were included.