The possibility of Scots heading to the polls twice this year is looming as Labour and the Liberal Democrats have intensified their calls for First Minister Humza Yousaf to resign.
Both parties are urging the SNP to acknowledge that Yousaf no longer has the authority to govern and that a Scottish Parliament election must be held. If this happens, it would mark the first time that Scots would vote in both a Holyrood and Westminster election in the same year.
The beleaguered SNP leader recently reached out to each party in the Scottish Parliament, seeking support to prevent his government from collapsing.
Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie stated: “This SNP government is collapsing before our eyes, and no dodgy deals with Alex Salmond can save Humza Yousaf’s job. It’s clearly a matter of when, not if, Humza Yousaf goes, but that is not enough. The chaotic and divided SNP government has lost its way and cannot deliver for the people of Scotland.”
“The people of Scotland deserve a chance to elect their next First Minister and choose change. Scottish Labour is ready to fight an election and deliver the change Scotland desperately needs,” Baillie added.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton also wrote to Yousaf, stating: “Successful minority administration must be rooted in compromise and mutual trust with other parties. Your actions this past week have eroded entirely any remaining trust that you enjoyed across the chamber.”
Cole-Hamilton accused Yousaf of putting self-interest over the national interest, adding: “After 17 years in power, it is clear that your government’s priorities are not the people’s priorities. People can’t get a doctor’s appointment or see an NHS dentist; our schools are tumbling down the international rankings, and you have abandoned Scotland’s climate targets. Yet still, you spend an unforgivable amount of ministerial attention and public money on fomenting constitutional division.”
“It’s time to put the national interest first, resign the office of First Minister, and call a Scottish Parliamentary Election so the people of Scotland can determine the future of both our Parliament and our country,” he concluded.
Yousaf is now facing two votes of no confidence, in both himself and his government, with a need for at least one other party’s support to avoid a humiliating defeat.
The collapse of the Bute House Agreement between the SNP and the Greens last week triggered the crisis, with the Green Party’s co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater showing no signs of backing down. Slater stated: “This was a spectacular breach of trust,” adding that the upcoming no-confidence vote will proceed. She reiterated that “nothing at this point could change that position.”
The no-confidence votes are expected to take place by mid-week, with insiders suggesting either Wednesday or Thursday for the final decision.
