Can Humza Yousaf unite the SNP?

1 year ago 43

Humza YousafImage source, Reuters

Image caption,

Humza Yousaf volition look respective challenges successful his caller job

By Glenn Campbell

Political editor, BBC Scotland

Humza Yousaf faces immoderate tremendous challenges arsenic helium takes implicit from Nicola Sturgeon arsenic SNP person and Scotland's archetypal minister.

Being the person of a divided federation and a divided enactment is difficult.

The constrictive quality of his triumph does not marque it immoderate easier.

In his acceptance speech, helium acknowledged the "bruising" quality of the enactment run and called for divisions to beryllium healed quickly.

To immoderate grade that volition beryllium connected what helium decides to bash next.

He volition request to see cautiously whether helium wants to springiness his defeated rivals jobs successful authorities and if truthful which posts to offer.

One of his supporters told maine to expect a "generosity of spirit".

Having defeated Kate Forbes by 52% to 48% she enjoys a important pursuing successful the party.

Image source, Reuters

Image caption,

Humza Yousaf defeated Ash Regan and Kate Forbes successful the enactment contest

Might helium privation to recognise that with a precise large job? If so, the astir evident upgrade from her existent relation arsenic concern and system caput would beryllium to lawman archetypal minister.

That's not a prediction. Just an observation. I expect that immoderate she mightiness beryllium offered, Kate Forbes would privation a just magnitude of autonomy if she is to proceed successful government.

If helium tin scope an statement with her, that could spell immoderate mode to easing tensions.

Then of people determination are important argumentation issues to beryllium addressed. Not slightest the Scottish government's effect to the UK blocking the sex designation betterment bill.

At the commencement of the enactment contention Humza Yousaf seemed committed to challenging that presumption successful court. More recently, helium has near a small much country for manoeuvre by saying helium would beryllium guided by the ineligible proposal helium receives.

While his power-sharing partners successful the Greens volition beryllium looking for a robust approach, that could hazard prolonging divisions successful his ain party. Careful handling is required.

Humza Yousaf noted successful his acceptance code that delivering independency is the shared extremity that unites the SNP.

While that is substantially true, it whitethorn not beryllium the lone factor. It seems to maine electoral occurrence and the beardown enactment of Alex Salmond and past Nicola Sturgeon person besides had a binding effect.

It is not yet wide whether Humza Yousaf tin support their grip.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption,

Humza Yousaf is the existent wellness secretary

His attack to the independency question volition besides beryllium important.

While helium has distanced himself from the thought of utilizing the adjacent predetermination arsenic a substitute referendum, helium has promised to renew calls for the UK authorities to springiness Holyrood the powerfulness to clasp a vote.

That whitethorn assistance to underline his committedness to the origin but it is not apt to change Rishi Sunak's response, which has been to cull indyref2.

He besides risks sending retired a mixed connection to the wider Scottish public.

Humza Yousaf has promised to beryllium a archetypal curate for everyone successful Scotland and to gain the spot and respect of those who are not persuaded connected independency by governing good and focusing connected shared priorities.

If the archetypal happening helium does is to formally request different independency referendum, helium whitethorn conflict to person immoderate that helium is superior astir those commitments.

He has said dealing with outgo of surviving pressures and NHS betterment volition beryllium his archetypal concerns.

These are different 2 monolithic challenges that suggest the caller archetypal minister's honeymoon play successful office, if helium gets one, whitethorn beryllium peculiarly short.

After being voted person of the Scottish National Party, we inquire - who is Humza Yousaf?

Read Entire Article