Humza Yousaf during a debate on a motion of no confidence at the Scottish Parliament on May 1, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

The story so far: Scottish National Party (SNP) leader John Swinney was sworn in as the First Minister of Scotland at a brief ceremony in capital Edinburgh on Wednesday. The development follows the announcement of Humza Yousaf’s resignation from the post as well as from SNP’s leadership in April. Earlier, Mr. Yousaf ended SNP’s Bute House power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens party, following his party’s decision to scrap climate targets.

The SNP is a pro-Scottish independence party. Following the end of the power sharing agreement, the Scottish Tories tabled a motion of no confidence against Mr. Yousaf and Scottish Labour tabled a motion against the entire government.

SNP’s troubles

The SNP has been in turmoil since 2021 over complaints related to its finances. The police had in July 2021 launched Operation Branchform to investigate the complaints.

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stepped down from the post in February 2023 after her eight-year tenure, and was arrested and released without charges pending further investigation in June 2023 pertaining to the police probe into the governing SNP’s finances.

The investigation period has also seen multiple resignations from the party as well as many arrests.

Peter Murell, Ms. Sturgeon’s husband and former SNP chief executive, was first arrested and released without charges in April 2023. He was re-arrested in April 2024 and charged over embezzlement of party funds.

What was the Bute House power sharing agreement?

Bute House is the name of the official residence of the Scottish First Minister in Edinburgh.

The Bute House power sharing agreement, officially called the Cooperation Agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group, was signed in August 2021. The SNP government and Scottish Greens entered into the agreement to “provide effective and responsible leadership for Scotland for this session of the Scottish Parliament.” An important part of the agreement was to address the climate crises.

What led to Mr. Yousaf’s resignation?

The SNP and Scottish Greens were committed to “working together to build a greener, fairer, independent Scotland.”

Scotland’s Net Zero Minister Màiri McAllan on April 18 confirmed in the country’s Parliament that the government has scrapped its immediate climate action targets. The Scottish government’s interim 2030 target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 75% (relative to 1990 levels) was out of reach, Ms. McAllan said. “We must now act to chart a course to 2045 at a pace and scale which was feasible, fair and just,” she added.

The Net Zero Minister also announced a new target approach based on five-yearly carbon budgets.

The 2023 Report of the Climate Change Committee (CCC), which advises the U.K. and devolved governments on emissions targets and climate change adaptation, said that the Scottish government is “failing to achieve Scotland’s ambitious climate goals.” The report, published on March 20, 2024, pointed out that Scotland missed its annual legal emissions target in 2021 – the eighth target missed in the past 12 years.

In her statement to the Scottish Parliament, Ms. McAllan said that the government would expedite legislation to address the matters raised by the CCC and the Bill would retain the legal commitment set for 2045 alongside annual reporting on progress, along with the five-yearly carbon budgets. Scotland’s goal to reach net zero by 2045 remains steadfast, Ms. McAllan added.

Scotland’s National Health Service on April 18 also paused prescribing puberty blockers to children referred by its specialist gender clinic, following which the LGBTQ wing of the Scottish Greens launched a petition questioning the future of the party’s agreement with the SNP.

Following SNP’s decision to scrap the 2030 climate target, the party’s Bute House power sharing agreement ended on April 25. “The cessation of the Bute House Agreement should not be a barrier to our parties continuing to work together to make progress on the policies Scotland needs to thrive; not least our shared commitment to securing independence for Scotland and to giving people the right to choose our country’s future,” Mr. Yousaf said in a letter addressed to Scottish Greens co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater after officially ending the agreement.

“This is an act of political cowardice by the SNP, who are selling out future generations to appease the most reactionary forces in the country,” the Scottish Greens party said in a statement following the collapse of the agreement.

After the Bute House power agreement ended, the SNP became a minority government in need of support from other members of the Scottish Parliament.

John Swinney’s tenure

The SNP government survived a no-confidence vote on May 1, giving the party a chance to pick another leader after First Minister Yousaf resigned on April 29. Mr. Swinney was elected the leader of the party unopposed, and won the required support of the majority in the Scottish Parliament to be the First Minister. While the seven members of the Scottish Green party abstained from voting, Mr. Swinney crossed the required majority threshold. He was sworn in as the First Minister on Wednesday.

What lies ahead for Scottish Greens?

Addressing the Parliament after the vote to nominate Mr. Swinney as First Minister, Greens leader Ms. Slater said that the party’s support to the SNP First Minister has always been conditional, based on policy programmes that tackle climate crisis. “ I am proud of what the Scottish Greens achieved during our time in government…We will continue to advocate for the fairer, greener, more equal Scotland that they [our achievements and policies] create,” she said.

London:

Scotland’s leader Humza Yousaf resigned on Monday, further opening the door to the UK opposition Labour Party to regain ground in its former Scottish heartlands in a national election expected later this year.

Yousaf quit as head of the pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP) after a week of chaos triggered by his scrapping of a coalition agreement with Scotland’s Greens.

He then failed to secure enough support to survive votes of no confidence against him expected later this week.

Resigning little over a year after he replaced Nicola Sturgeon as first minister and SNP leader, Yousaf said it was time for someone else to lead Scotland’s devolved government.

The SNP’s fortunes have faltered over a funding scandal and the resignation of Sturgeon as party leader last year. There has also been infighting over how progressive its pitch should be as it seeks to woo back voters.

Caught between defending the progressive record of the coalition government and some nationalists’ demands to jettison gender recognition reforms and refocus on the economy, Yousaf was unable to strike a balance that would ensure his survival.

The SNP is losing popular support after 17 years of heading the Scottish government. Earlier this month, polling firm YouGov said the Labour Party had overtaken the SNP in voting intentions for a Westminster election for the first time in a decade.

Labour’s resurgence in Scotland adds to the challenge facing British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party which is lagging far behind Labour in UK-wide opinion polls.

The Scottish parliament now has 28 days to choose a new first minister before an election is forced, with former SNP leader John Swinney and Yousaf’s former leadership rival Kate Forbes seen as possible successors.

If the SNP is unable to find a new leader to command support in parliament, a Scottish election will be held.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf speaks during a press conference at Bute House, Edinburgh, April 25, 2024. Scotland’s leader is facing a week of high-stakes talks to save his job and reenergize the country’s independence movement after he torpedoed a coalition with the Green Party by ditching a target for fighting climate change.
| Photo Credit: AP

Scotland’s Humza Yousaf is considering quitting as First Minister rather than face two confidence votes, U.K. media outlets reported late on April 28.

Mr. Yousaf’s resignation was an option but a final decision had not yet been taken, BBC news reported citing a source close to the Minister.

Former Scottish National Party leader John Swinney has been approached by senior party figures to become an interim First Minister in the event of Mr. Yousaf being forced from office, the Times said, adding that Mr. Swinney is reluctant to step up because of personal circumstances.

Last week, Mr. Yousaf said he intended to fight a vote of no confidence called by political opponents after his decision to withdraw from a coalition agreement and try to run a minority government.

“I’m quite confident, very confident in fact, that I’ll be able to win that vote of no confidence,” he told Sky News on Friday.

If Mr. Yousaf loses, parliament would have 28 days to choose a new First Minister before an election was forced.

A voter goes through the elections procedure to cast her vote at a polling station during the second phase of the Lok Sabha Polls, in Bhagalpur on Friday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Lok Sabha polls | About 61% turnout in Phase II; polling largely peaceful

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The turnout figures were till 7 p.m., the Election Commission (EC) said in a statement.

SC thumbs-up for EVMs, declines plea to revive paper ballot

The Supreme Court on April 26 upheld the electronic voting machine (EVM) system of polling and refused a plea to revive paper ballots, saying “blind distrust” of an institution or a system breeds unwarranted skepticism and impedes progress.

Human error can occur in EVM-VVPAT system: Supreme Court

Human errors are possible in the Electronic Voting Machine-Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (EVM-VVPAT) system of polling, the Supreme Court acknowledged in a judgment on April 26. However, it was consoled by the fact that “the manual on EVM and VVPATs deals with such situations and lays down the protocol which is to be followed”.

After Supreme Court’s ‘tight slap’ to Opposition in EVM case, they should apologise for creating distrust: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 26 termed the Supreme Court judgement on electronic voting machines (EVMs) as a “tight slap” to Opposition parties, including the Congress. He demanded an apology from them for “committing the sin of creating distrust” over EVMs.

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Human errors can occur in EVM-VVPAT system, but manual deals with them: SC

Human errors are possible in the Electronic Voting Machine-Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (EVM-VVPAT) system of polling, the Supreme Court acknowledged in a judgment on April 26.

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The plan for introduction of a semester system has been ruled out, they said.

Humza Yousaf vows to continue as Scotland First Minister, face no confidence vote

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf, on April 26, said he would not resign following the end of a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens that led to the Opposition backing a no confidence motion against him.

No evidence of loco pilots watching cricket during A.P. train crash as claimed by Railway Minister

The investigation into last year’s tragic collision of two passenger trains in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, which left 17 passengers dead and 34 injured, has not revealed any evidence to prove that the locomotive pilots of one of the trains were watching cricket at the time of the accident.

CBI seizes arms and ammunition in Sandeshkhali

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday seized a cache of arms and ammunition during its searches on two premises in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali in the case related to the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5.

IPL-17: KKR vs PBKS | Bairstow leads Kings to record chase in insane slamfest

Jonny Bairstow was at his destructive best to smash an unbeaten 108 (48b, 8×4, 9×6) and helped Punjab Kings create history by overhauling host Kolkata Knight Riders’ record score of 261, by eight wickets, at the Eden Gardens here on Friday.

A voter goes through the elections procedure to cast her vote at a polling station during the second phase of the Lok Sabha Polls, in Bhagalpur on Friday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Lok Sabha polls | About 61% turnout in Phase II; polling largely peaceful

Polling for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in 88 constituencies across 13 States was largely peaceful on Friday, with the voter turnout put at nearly 61%.

The turnout figures were till 7 p.m., the Election Commission (EC) said in a statement.

SC thumbs-up for EVMs, declines plea to revive paper ballot

The Supreme Court on April 26 upheld the electronic voting machine (EVM) system of polling and refused a plea to revive paper ballots, saying “blind distrust” of an institution or a system breeds unwarranted skepticism and impedes progress.

Human error can occur in EVM-VVPAT system: Supreme Court

Human errors are possible in the Electronic Voting Machine-Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (EVM-VVPAT) system of polling, the Supreme Court acknowledged in a judgment on April 26. However, it was consoled by the fact that “the manual on EVM and VVPATs deals with such situations and lays down the protocol which is to be followed”.

After Supreme Court’s ‘tight slap’ to Opposition in EVM case, they should apologise for creating distrust: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 26 termed the Supreme Court judgement on electronic voting machines (EVMs) as a “tight slap” to Opposition parties, including the Congress. He demanded an apology from them for “committing the sin of creating distrust” over EVMs.

Congress may name Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha candidates on April 27

The Congress is likely to decide its nominees for the Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday as the party’s central election committee is meeting to finalise candidates for the remaining seats in the State and in Punjab.

Human errors can occur in EVM-VVPAT system, but manual deals with them: SC

Human errors are possible in the Electronic Voting Machine-Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (EVM-VVPAT) system of polling, the Supreme Court acknowledged in a judgment on April 26.

Sunita Kejriwal to hit campaign trail with roadshow today

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The plan for introduction of a semester system has been ruled out, they said.

Humza Yousaf vows to continue as Scotland First Minister, face no confidence vote

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf, on April 26, said he would not resign following the end of a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens that led to the Opposition backing a no confidence motion against him.

No evidence of loco pilots watching cricket during A.P. train crash as claimed by Railway Minister

The investigation into last year’s tragic collision of two passenger trains in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, which left 17 passengers dead and 34 injured, has not revealed any evidence to prove that the locomotive pilots of one of the trains were watching cricket at the time of the accident.

CBI seizes arms and ammunition in Sandeshkhali

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday seized a cache of arms and ammunition during its searches on two premises in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali in the case related to the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5.

IPL-17: KKR vs PBKS | Bairstow leads Kings to record chase in insane slamfest

Jonny Bairstow was at his destructive best to smash an unbeaten 108 (48b, 8×4, 9×6) and helped Punjab Kings create history by overhauling host Kolkata Knight Riders’ record score of 261, by eight wickets, at the Eden Gardens here on Friday.

Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf visits Hillcrest Homes housing development in Dundee, Scotland on April 26, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Scotland’s First MinisterHumza Yousaf, on April 26, said he would not resign following the end of a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens that led to the Opposition backing a no confidence motion against him.

Speaking at an event in Dundee, Mr. Yousaf said he would not resign and was confident of winning the vote. The Scottish politician said he would lead the party into the U.K.’s upcoming general elections as well as Scottish elections in 2026.

Mr. Yousuf had ended a power sharing agreement (the Bute House agreement) with the Scottish Greens on April 25 as cracks appeared in an already fragile agreement, following the SNP’s decision last week to scrap climate targets. The Scottish Tories tabled a motion of no confidence against Mr. Yousaf and Scottish Labour has tabled a motion against the entire government.

“The people of Scotland deserve a fresh start — this can only come with a Scottish election,” Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said, pointing to the National Health Service (NHS) appointment waiting lists and public finances.

Co-leader of the Scottish Greens , Patrick Harvie, said Mr Yousaf did not have the confidence of the Scottish parliament and needed to face the outcome of ending the power sharing agreement.

“He needs to bear the consequences of that reckless and damaging decision,” Mr. Harvie told news agency PA Media.

To stay in power , Mr. Yousaf will need the support of his 63 SNP colleagues as well as backing of 65 other Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). If he does not survive the vote, the SNP will have to find a new leader within 28 days, failing which there will be fresh elections . If the SNP as a whole loses the vote, fresh elections will have to be called within 28 days.

On April 26, Mr. Yousaf said he hoped to work with the Greens on an issue-by-issue basis.

Eyes were also on how Ash Regan, one-time contender for the SNP leader position and now a member of former First Minister Alex Salmond’s Alba Party, would vote. The Alba Party said it would not back Labour’s no confidence motion, and said those supporting independence for Scotland could rely on the Alba Party.

“As much as Humza Yousaf and the SNP find themselves in a tricky predicament, independence supporters will not turn back to the yoke of Tory and Labour mediocrity,” an Alba Party spokesperson said.

The votes of no confidence could be held as early as next week.