2024 Scottish government crisis: Difference between revisions

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On 26 April, Yousaf postponed a scheduled speech at the [[University of Strathclyde]] on labour strategy in an Independent Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Rachael Burford, Jacob |date=2024-04-26 |title=Humza Yousaf insists he will not quit as he faces no confidence motion |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/humza-yousaf-scotland-snp-greens-vote-of-no-confidence-b1154005.html |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref> The same day he refused to resign as first minister of Scotland.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 April 2024 |title=Humza Yousaf 'absolutely' not resigning ahead of no confidence vote |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24280789.yousaf-absolutely-not-resigning-ahead-no-confidence-vote/ |access-date=26 April 2024 |work=[[The Herald]]}}</ref> On 27 April, Yousaf claimed that a [[Next Scottish Parliament election|snap Scottish Parliament election]] is a possibility.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Humza Yousaf: Scotland's first minister claims Holyrood election could be called - as vote of no confidence looms |url=https://news.sky.com/story/humza-yousaf-refuses-to-say-if-he-will-resign-with-alba-msp-key-to-first-ministers-fate-13123878 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>
On 26 April, Yousaf postponed a scheduled speech at the [[University of Strathclyde]] on labour strategy in an Independent Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Rachael Burford, Jacob |date=2024-04-26 |title=Humza Yousaf insists he will not quit as he faces no confidence motion |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/humza-yousaf-scotland-snp-greens-vote-of-no-confidence-b1154005.html |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref> The same day he refused to resign as first minister of Scotland.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 April 2024 |title=Humza Yousaf 'absolutely' not resigning ahead of no confidence vote |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24280789.yousaf-absolutely-not-resigning-ahead-no-confidence-vote/ |access-date=26 April 2024 |work=[[The Herald]]}}</ref> On 27 April, Yousaf claimed that a [[Next Scottish Parliament election|snap Scottish Parliament election]] is a possibility.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Humza Yousaf: Scotland's first minister claims Holyrood election could be called - as vote of no confidence looms |url=https://news.sky.com/story/humza-yousaf-refuses-to-say-if-he-will-resign-with-alba-msp-key-to-first-ministers-fate-13123878 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>


On 28 April, Alex Salmond said that Alba was "prepared to assist" [[Humza Yousaf]] in the no confidence vote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alex Salmond 'prepared to assist' Humza Yousaf in no confidence vote |url=https://news.sky.com/video/alex-salmond-prepared-to-assist-humza-yousaf-in-no-confidence-vote-13124843 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> His demand is a renewed Scottish independence plan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-28 |title=Alex Salmond sets out Alba demands ahead of Humza Yousaf talks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crgyxq90325o |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> He appeared on [[Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg|''Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg'']] and told SNP should return to the "people's priorities" of education, jobs and industry.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Salmond sets out terms for Alba support of Yousaf |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-68915745 |access-date=2024-04-28 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
On 28 April, Alex Salmond said that Alba was "prepared to assist" [[Humza Yousaf]] in the no confidence vote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alex Salmond 'prepared to assist' Humza Yousaf in no confidence vote |url=https://news.sky.com/video/alex-salmond-prepared-to-assist-humza-yousaf-in-no-confidence-vote-13124843 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> His demand is a renewed Scottish independence plan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-28 |title=Alex Salmond sets out Alba demands ahead of Humza Yousaf talks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crgyxq90325o |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> He appeared on [[Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg|''Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg'']] and said that the SNP should return to the "people's priorities" of education, jobs and industry.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Salmond sets out terms for Alba support of Yousaf |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-68915745 |access-date=2024-04-28 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Yousaf reportedly ruled out any electoral pact.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-04-27 |title=Humza Yousaf rules out pact with Alex Salmond's Alba party |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-68914409 |access-date=2024-04-28 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> It was Salmond who firstly appointed Yousaf to government. In 2012, Yousaf was appointed [[minister for Europe and International Development]] in the [[Second Salmond government]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-26 |title=Humza Yousaf: Who is Scotland's under-threat first minister? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgxw490qz0ko |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Chair of the [[Alba Party]] [[Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh]] said that an "electoral pact" is not part of negotiations.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC2ZioJAbVk |title=Humza Yousaf pact with Alex Salmond’s Alba party ‘is not on the table’ {{!}} Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh |date=28 April 2024 |language=en |publisher=Times Radio |access-date=2024-04-28 |via=YouTube}}</ref> [[Scottish Liberal Democrats|Scottish Liberal Democrat]] leader [[Alex Cole-Hamilton]] has ruled out Yousaf's offer of talks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-28 |title=Yousaf set to 'face consequences' as SNP politicians warn against deal with Salmond |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24283718.yousaf-set-face-consequences-msps-abandon-beleaguered-fm/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=The Herald |language=en}}</ref>

Yousaf reportedly ruled out an electoral pact.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-04-27 |title=Humza Yousaf rules out pact with Alex Salmond's Alba party |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-68914409 |access-date=2024-04-28 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> It was Salmond who firstly appointed Yousaf to government. In 2012, Yousaf was appointed [[minister for Europe and International Development]] in the [[Second Salmond government]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-26 |title=Humza Yousaf: Who is Scotland's under-threat first minister? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgxw490qz0ko |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Chair of the [[Alba Party]] [[Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh]] said that an "electoral pact" is not part of negotiatons.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC2ZioJAbVk |title=Humza Yousaf pact with Alex Salmond’s Alba party ‘is not on the table’ {{!}} Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh |date=28 April 2024 |language=en |publisher=Times Radio |access-date=2024-04-28 |via=YouTube}}</ref> [[Scottish Liberal Democrats|Scottish Liberal Democrat]] leader [[Alex Cole-Hamilton]] has ruled out Yousafs offer talks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-28 |title=Yousaf set to 'face consequences' as SNP politicians warn against deal with Salmond |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24283718.yousaf-set-face-consequences-msps-abandon-beleaguered-fm/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=The Herald |language=en}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 17:01, 28 April 2024

2024 Scottish government crisis
Humza Yousaf at First Minister's Questions the day of the dissolution of his first government
Date25 April 2024–present
Cause
Motive
ParticipantsConservative, Labour, Green, Liberal Democrat and Alba MSPs
OutcomeOngoing
This article is part of
a series about
Humza Yousaf

In April 2024, Humza Yousaf, first minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), faced a confidence crisis following his termination of the Bute House Agreement between the SNP and their coalition partners the Scottish Greens.[1] This was following changes to landmark climate policy by Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan,[2] after which a planned Greens vote on the continuation of the agreement was announced.[3] Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, co-leaders of the Greens and their only government ministers, then resigned as ministers.[4]

Background

Bute House Agreement

Main article: Bute House Agreement
Left to right: Patrick Harvie, Nicola Sturgeon, Lorna Slater

The Scottish electoral system is designed to make single-party government difficult to achieve.[5] The Scottish National Party has been in power in Scotland since 2007.[6] The Scottish Parliament election in May 2021 resulted in a hung parliament with the Scottish National Party (SNP) winning 64 seats, just one seat short of an overall majority.[7] In August 2021, a power-sharing agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Greens was created to support the leadership of Nicola Sturgeon and the formation of the Third Sturgeon government. This meant that the first Green Party ministers ever in the UK were to be appointed[8] and Patrick Harvie became Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights and Lorna Slater became Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity.[9]

The Bute House Agreement was controversial inside the SNP. Some policies had been changed to accommodate the Greens' support,[10] such as their proposal to stop North Sea oil drilling,[11] which Kate Forbes criticized, alongside their plans to phase out the natural gas industry.[12] Fergus Ewing blamed the Greens for the government delaying the duelling of the A9 road, the longest road in Scotland.[13] The controversial Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill resulted in the United Kingdom government using section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 for the first time to block the bill.[14] The Green Party's bottle deposit return scheme was delayed in 2023.[15]

Following the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish National Party leadership election, the Scottish Greens decided to stay in government, continuing the coalition with the SNP.[16]

Termination

Humza Yousaf's leadership had been under scrutiny following the arrest of Peter Murrell on 18 April 2024, amid the ongoing Operation Branchform.[17][18] On 18 April 2024, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan scrapped climate change targets,[2] causing the Greens to call a vote on whether to continue the power-sharing deal. However, before this vote took place, Yousaf announced the end of the Bute House Agreement on 25 April 2024.[1]

Crisis

Ash Regan, the sole Alba Party MSP.

Humza Yousaf faces a vote of no confidence.[19] Due to the narrow vote margins in the Scottish Parliament, Ash Regan of the Alba Party will have the sole decider on the vote's result.[20] Alex Salmond called Regan the "most powerful MSP in the Scottish Parliament".[21] Regan, who left the SNP, was called "no great loss" by Yousaf.[22] She sent him her list of demands to secure her support, which included progress on Scottish independence and defending "the rights of women and children".[23] The earliest a vote can be held is Wednesday 1 May 2024.[24] Even if this vote is won, his leadership is reportedly in doubt, but carrying on as a minority government is possible with power-sharing agreements.[25]

On 26 April, Yousaf postponed a scheduled speech at the University of Strathclyde on labour strategy in an Independent Scotland.[26] The same day he refused to resign as first minister of Scotland.[27] On 27 April, Yousaf claimed that a snap Scottish Parliament election is a possibility.[28]

On 28 April, Alex Salmond said that Alba was "prepared to assist" Humza Yousaf in the no confidence vote.[29] His demand is a renewed Scottish independence plan.[30] He appeared on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg and said that the SNP should return to the "people's priorities" of education, jobs and industry.[31] Yousaf reportedly ruled out any electoral pact.[32] It was Salmond who firstly appointed Yousaf to government. In 2012, Yousaf was appointed minister for Europe and International Development in the Second Salmond government.[33] Chair of the Alba Party Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh said that an "electoral pact" is not part of negotiations.[34] Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has ruled out Yousaf's offer of talks.[35]

References

  1. ^ a b McCool, Mary; Williams, Craig (25 April 2024). "SNP's power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens collapses". BBC News. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Scottish government scraps climate change targets". BBC News. 18 April 2024.
  3. ^ Bonar, Megan; Cook, James (25 April 2024). "Scottish Greens to vote on SNP power-sharing deal". BBC News. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  4. ^ Carrell, Severin; Brooks, Libby (21 April 2024). "Co-leader of Scottish Greens admits coalition with government could fail". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  5. ^ McDonald, Andrew (7 May 2021). "Scotland's Nicola Sturgeon plays down majority hopes amid early election results". Politico. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  6. ^ "SNP win election one seat short of majority". BBC News. 8 May 2021. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  7. ^ PA Media (8 May 2021). "SNP wins election, but just one seat short of overall majority". STV News. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater: Who are the new Green ministers?". BBC News. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  9. ^ Media, P. A. (30 August 2021). "Co-leaders of Scottish Greens to become ministers at Holyrood". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  10. ^ Daisley, Stephen (25 April 2024). "Humza Yousaf ends SNP pact with Greens". The Spectator. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  11. ^ "OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY CONDUCTING WAR ON CLIMATE". Scottish Greens. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  12. ^ Green, Chris (21 August 2023). "Kate Forbes hits out at Green ministers as she backs use of North Sea oil and gas". iNews. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Delayed dualling of A9 is costing lives, says Fergus Ewing". BBC News. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  14. ^ "The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill (Prohibition on Submission for Royal Assent) Order 2023". Legislation.gov.uk. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  15. ^ "Why has Scotland's deposit return scheme been delayed?". BBC News. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Will the Greens want to stay in government with the SNP?". BBC News. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  17. ^ "It's a difficult day for SNP - Yousaf on Murrell arrest". Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  18. ^ Johnson, Simon (19 April 2024). "Nicola Sturgeon still under police investigation as she talks of 'incredibly difficult' situation". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  19. ^ Meighan, Craig (25 April 2024). "Humza Yousaf faces no-confidence vote after 'terminating' Bute House Agreement". STV News. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Ash Regan: Humza Yousaf's defeated leadership rival could hold the key to his political fate". Sky News. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  21. ^ "Alex Salmond: Alba's Ash Regan now 'most powerful MSP in Holyrood' over Yousaf vote". The Herald. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  22. ^ Connor, Mark (25 April 2024). "'No great loss': what Humza Yousaf said about Ash Regan ahead of crunch vote". Scottish Daily Express. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  23. ^ "Ash Regan: I've not spoken to Humza Yousaf in a year". BBC News. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  24. ^ Williams, Craig (25 April 2024). "Scottish Greens will vote to oust first minister". BBC News.
  25. ^ "Will winning a confidence vote be enough to save Humza Yousaf?". BBC News. 26 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  26. ^ Phillips, Rachael Burford, Jacob (26 April 2024). "Humza Yousaf insists he will not quit as he faces no confidence motion". Evening Standard. Retrieved 27 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ "Humza Yousaf 'absolutely' not resigning ahead of no confidence vote". The Herald. 26 April 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Humza Yousaf: Scotland's first minister claims Holyrood election could be called - as vote of no confidence looms". Sky News. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  29. ^ "Alex Salmond 'prepared to assist' Humza Yousaf in no confidence vote". Sky News. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Alex Salmond sets out Alba demands ahead of Humza Yousaf talks". BBC News. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Salmond sets out terms for Alba support of Yousaf". BBC News. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  32. ^ "Humza Yousaf rules out pact with Alex Salmond's Alba party". BBC News. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  33. ^ "Humza Yousaf: Who is Scotland's under-threat first minister?". BBC News. 26 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  34. ^ Humza Yousaf pact with Alex Salmond’s Alba party ‘is not on the table’ | Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh. Times Radio. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024 – via YouTube.
  35. ^ "Yousaf set to 'face consequences' as SNP politicians warn against deal with Salmond". The Herald. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.


Bibliography

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