LONDON: The government of Scotland survived a vote of no confidence on Wednesday, effectively giving the Scottish National Party (SNP) a shot at picking a new leader to replace the outgoing First Minister Humza Yousaf.

Yousaf’s decision to step down from the office of first minister and as the leader of the SNP on Monday, has thrust the party into chaos. Simultaneously, it has boosted hopes within Britain’s opposition Labour Party, that it stands to regain Scottish seats in order win a national election scheduled for later this year.

Polls portray that Labour is ahead of and/or level with the SNP in Scotland for the first time in around a decade.

Yousaf stated he would resign after ending a coalition with the Green Party. This means that the SNP are now in the search for a third leader in a period stretching just over one year. This undermines what once appeared to be an iron grip on power in the devolved Scottish government.

While the Greens made Yousaf’s position untenable by withdrawing their confidence in him personally, they voted alongside the SNP against the vote of no confidence on Wednesday, in the Scottish government. The no confidence motion was quashed by 70 votes to 58.

A loss for the government would have led to the resignation of all ministers and most likely triggered an election in Scotland.

With that outcome averted, Yousaf will remain in Holyrood until the SNP chooses a new leader. Former SNP party leader, John Swinney and Yousaf’s old leadership rival, Kate Forbes, have both said they are considering joining the race to lead the SNP.

Yousaf assumed leadership of the party in March of 2023, after the resignation of long-time leader Nicola Sturgeon. Sturgeon faced splits in the party over the ‘best route to independence’ for Scotland and proposed transgender recognition legislation.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2024