LONDON: Scotland’s Health Minister Hamza Youssef said on Saturday that he would contest the leadership contest to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and as First Minister.
After Sturgeon’s surprise resignation earlier in the week, saying she was too divisive and too tired to continue, Youssef is the first person to publicly announce her plans to stand in the race. Announced the intention.
“I have decided to put myself forward as a candidate to be the next First Minister of Scotland and to be the leader of the SNP,” said the 37-year-old, who has been a member of the Scottish Parliament since 2011 and has served several Ministerial responsibilities have also been fulfilled, said on Twitter.
A huge decision to make, but with the support & love of my family, I have decided to put myself forward as a candidate to become Scotland's next First Minister, and Leader of the SNP.
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 18, 2023
See my video below for some of the reasons why I believe I am the right person for the job 👇 pic.twitter.com/aDbVUe568E
John Swinney, the 58-year-old deputy first minister, ruled himself out Thursday, saying his decision not to be a candidate was to create the space for a “fresh perspective” on the governing SNP’s aims, including on independence.
My statement on @thesnp leadership. pic.twitter.com/tVeP4EAf6M
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) February 16, 2023
The SNP has said it will elect a new leader within six weeks via its members’ ballot, which closes on March 27. Sturgeon, 52, said she was not leaving politics and would stay until a successor was chosen.
His surprise exit has left a question mark over the SNP’s fight for independence as the Westminster government blocked efforts to hold a second vote following a 2014 referendum in which Scotland decided to remain part of the UK. The vote was 55% to 45%.
The loss of Sturgeon, regarded by many as the best political communicator in Britain, also has the potential to affect the outcome of the next national election if it causes the opposition Labor Party to lose some of its power in Scotland. Helps to regain seats.
