Who could replace Humza Yousaf as Scotland’s first minister?
Humza Yousaf has announced he is standing down as Scotland’s first minister and SNP leader.
Here are some of the potential contenders who could step up to lead the country.
Follow live: Humza Yousaf resigns as Scotland’s first minister
KATE FORBES
Kate Forbes. Pic: PA
Kate Forbes narrowly lost out to Mr Yousaf in last year’s SNP leadership contest.
The former finance secretary faced backlash during her campaign after admitting she would have voted against gay marriage in Scotland when it was made legal a decade ago.
The Free Church of Scotland member also told Sky News that having children out of marriage is “wrong” and something she would “seek to avoid”.
However, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch stressed that “in a free society you can do what you want”.
Ms Forbes had argued that “continuity won’t cut it”.
After losing to Mr Yousaf by 48% to 52%, she said: “If we are to continue to win elections, we need to continue to listen and maintain trust.”
Ms Forbes turned down the role of rural affairs minister, which at the time was seen as a demotion.
Although her views on social issues remain unpopular with some of her MSP colleagues, she was one of the few SNP ministers who did not delete her WhatsApp messages during the COVID pandemic.
Ms Forbes would face resistance from the Scottish Greens, who have previously ruled out working with her.
STEPHEN FLYNN
Stephen Flynn. Pic: PA
Stephen Flynn replaced Ian Blackford as the SNP’s Westminster leader in December 2022.
The Aberdeen South MP was touted as a potential future party leader by Joanna Cherry MP.
Ms Cherry praised his leadership, noting he was “tolerant” of opposing views and committed to addressing division within the SNP.
As he is not an MSP, that could block his chances of becoming first minister at Holyrood.
NEIL GRAY
Neil Gray. Pic: PA
Former journalist Neil Gray is Holyrood’s health secretary. He was promoted to the role in February after Michael Matheson resigned following a scandal involving an £11,000 iPad data roaming bill.
Mr Gray, the MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, previously served as an MP between 2015 and 2021 before making the switch from Westminster to Holyrood.
Mr Gray, who served as Mr Yousaf’s campaign manager in the SNP leadership contest, was previously the cabinet secretary for wellbeing economy, fair work and energy, and before that the minister for culture, Europe and International Development.
JENNY GILRUTH
Jenny Gilruth. Pic: PA
Jenny Gilruth, Holyrood’s education secretary, is a former modern studies teacher and is married to ex-Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale.
The SNP MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes was a junior minister in Nicola Sturgeon’s government.
She was promoted from transport secretary to cabinet secretary for education and skills after Mr Yousaf took charge in March 2023.
Ms Gilruth is seen to be ambitious but was recently criticised by Scotland’s largest teaching union for failing to read its damning report on violence in Aberdeen schools.
SHONA ROBISON
Shona Robison. Pic: PA
Shona Robison could fancy her chances as Scotland’s leader following her stint as deputy first minister under Mr Yousaf.
Ms Robison, the finance secretary, has been the MSP for Dundee City East since 2003 and is a close friend of former first minister Ms Sturgeon.
She has previously held the post of health secretary, and as cabinet secretary for social justice, housing and local government was behind Holyrood’s efforts to pass the controversial Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.
Following the breakdown of the Bute House Agreement, Ms Robison may face a challenge to hold onto her position if the SNP wish to replace those at the top of the chain in an effort to start afresh.
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JOHN SWINNEY
John Swinney. Pic: PA
John Swinney stood down as deputy first minister following Ms Sturgeon’s shock resignation in 2023.
The former SNP leader, who resigned from that post in 2004 following poor European parliament election results, could be tempted to once again step into the spotlight following his year on the backbenches.
He ruled himself out of the 2023 leadership race, citing that he had to put his young family first.
The MSP for Perthshire North, who was finance secretary under Alex Salmond’s government, has the experience to hold the fort following Mr Yousaf’s departure.
MAIRI MCALLAN
Mairi McAllan. Pic: PA
Mairi McAllan is a rising star within the SNP.
The MSP for Clydesdale was a special adviser to Ms Sturgeon and is now the wellbeing economy, net zero and energy secretary.
She faced a storm of criticism earlier this month after announcing the scrapping of the Scottish government’s key climate change target.
At the age of 31, Ms McAllan would become the youngest first minister.
As she is expecting her first child, with maternity leave expected to kick in during the summer until March 2025, it seems unlikely she will run for the top job.
UK drivers are “confused” by the country’s electric car transition, ministers are being warned.
Although most drivers are not hostile towards electric vehicles (EVs), many are confused about what changes are coming and when, according to new research from the AA.
In a survey of more than 14,000 AA members, 7% thought the government was banning the sale of used petrol and diesel cars.
Around a third thought manual EVs exist, despite them all being automatic.
More than one in five said they would never buy an EV.
The government’s plan for increasing the number of electric vehicles being driven in the UK focuses heavily on increasing the supply of the vehicles.
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What you can do to reach net zero
In 2024, at least 22% of new cars and 10% of new vans sold by each manufacturer in the UK had to be zero-emission, which generally means pure electric.
Each year, those percentages will rise, reaching 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans in 2030.
Manufacturers will face fines of £15,000 per vehicle if electric vehicle sales fall short of 28% of total production this year.
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By 2035, all new cars and vans will be required to be fully zero emission, according to the Department for Transport.
Second-hand diesel and petrol cars will still be allowed to be sold after this date, and their fuel will still be available.
There are more EVs – but will people buy them?
In February, 25% of new cars were powered purely by battery and in January, they made up 21% of all new cars registered in the UK.
But despite the growth of electric sales, manufacturers continue to warn that the market will not support the growth required to hit government EV targets, and called for consumer incentives and the extension of tax breaks.
The AA suggested the government’s plan focuses on “supply but does little to encourage demand for EVs”.
It called on ministers to co-ordinate a public awareness campaign alongside the motoring industry which directly targets drivers who doubt the viability of EVs.
“Our message to government is more needs to be done to make EVs accessible for everyone,” said Jakob Pfaudler, AA chief executive.
Which? head of consumer rights Sue Davis said: “When it comes to making sustainable choices such as switching to an electric car, our research shows that people are often held back by high costs, complex choices or uncertainty.
“The government needs to provide the right information on electric vehicles and other sustainable choices so that people have the confidence to switch.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We’re investing over £2.3bn to help industry and consumers make a supported switch to EVs.
“This includes installing a public charge point every 28 minutes, keeping EV incentives in the company car tax regime to 2030, and extending 100% first-year allowances for zero-emission cars for another year.
“Second-hand EVs are also becoming cheaper than ever, with one in three available under £20,000 and 21 brand new models available for less than £30,000.
“We’re seeing growing consumer confidence as a result.”
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