Scots prefer post-Brexit UK to independence, poll finds
A clear majority of Scots want the country to stay part of a post-Brexit UK rather than becoming independent […]
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/scots-want-stay-part-post-brexit-uk-poll-finds-16094
A clear majority of Scots want the country to stay part of a post-Brexit UK rather than becoming independent and remaining part of the EU, an opinion poll has found. The results of the survey, carried out a month after the result of the European referendum, calls into......
The Sturgeon 'continuity candidate' who wants to keep pushing her trans rights agenda... and get rid of the King: Humza Yousaf narrowly wins SNP leadership battle despite campaign beset by gaffes and infighting - as he immediately calls for ANOTHER IndyRef
Humza Yousaf will be formally installed as the new Scots First Minister tomorrow
By James Tapsfield, Political Editor For Mailonline and David Wilcock, Deputy Political Editor
Published: 14:10, 27 March 2023 |
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11906915/Victory-continuity-candidate-Humza-Yousaf-SNP-battle.html
Humza Yousaf begged the SNP to come together today after he narrowly won the bitter five-week battle to succeed Nicola Sturgeon.
The health minister, seen as the 'continuity' candidate, said he was the 'luckiest man in the world' as he was elected to take over as First Minister.
In a speech at the count in Edinburgh, Mr Yousaf admitted that it had been a 'bruising' process - and entreated his colleagues to remember they are 'one team'.
He pledged to govern for 'all of Scotland' - and also movingly reassured his daughters that there was still 'no more important job in my life than being your dad'.
Mr Yousaf narrowly saw off the challenge from Kate Forbes - who had faced a backlash over her devout Christian views - despite brutal attacks on his record in government.
He has pledged to press on with challenging the Westminster's block on the SNP's bid to loosen gender identity rules, unless lawyers tell him the case is unwinnable. He has also suggested that an independent Scotland would ditch the monarchy within five years.
There had been speculation that Ms Forbes would benefit from the second preferences of supporters of the other contender, Ash Regan - but it was not enough to overturn his advantage.
Both the defeated candidates have committed to support the winner, while the Greens are expected to stay in the alliance that has provided an overall majority at Holyrood. That might have been at risk had Ms Forbes triumphed.
However, there were some signs of unrest, with Ms Forbes warning that the close result showed 'continuity won't cut it'. Former First Minister Alex Salmond suggested the numbers were not impressive given Mr Yousaf had the 'full force of the SNP establishment' behind him.
Mr Yousaf nearly passed the 50 per cent threshold in the first round, but succeeded in the run-off by 52 per cent to 48 per cent. Only 50,000 of the SNP's 72,000 members voted.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove trolled the SNP by pointing out that the margin was the same as the Brexit referendum, joking that they did not want a rerun on this occasion.
The MSP - who will become the youngest First Minister and the first from an ethnic minority - now takes on a massive task to restore the SNP's fortunes after the struggle laid bare deep splits on issues such as gender identity rules and gay marriage.
Labour has been gaining ground north of the border and the prospects of an independence referendum are dwindling.
Mr Yousaf told the crowd in Edinburgh: 'Leadership elections, by their very nature, can be bruising.
'However, in the SNP we are a family.
'Over the last five weeks we may have been competitors or supporters of different candidates.
'We are no longer team Humza, or team Ash, or team Kate, we are one team.
'We will be the team, we will be the generation, that delivers independence for Scotland.'
Ms Sturgeon tweeted: 'I pay tribute to all 3 candidates for @theSNP leadership for rising to the challenge.
'Most of all I congratulate @HumzaYousaf and wish him every success.
'He will be an outstanding leader & First Minister and I could not be prouder to have him succeed me.'
In her final TV interview earlier, Ms Sturgeon admitted she is 'a bit sad' and 'emotional' at going.
