Humza Yousaf, the First Minister of Scotland, has resigned following a series of political and personal challenges that have marred his leadership, including controversy over the Hate Crime Act, personal family issues, and his handling of policy matters. Yousaf’s resignation marks an end to a tumultuous period for him and opens up a leadership contest within the Scottish National Party (SNP).

The Hate Crime Act, a significant factor in his resignation, faced considerable criticism over concerns about its impact on free speech, drawing attention from international figures such as Elon Musk and Joe Rogan. Additionally, a public feud with author JK Rowling over the Act further compromised Yousaf’s position. His brother-in-law facing serious criminal charges added to the turmoil surrounding his leadership. These issues, coupled with failures in key by-elections and controversies over various policies, culminated in mounting pressure leading to Yousaf acknowledging his incapacity to lead a minority government effectively.

In the wake of Yousaf’s resignation, John Swinney, a seasoned SNP figure, has emerged as a leading contender for the position of First Minister. Swinney, who had previously indicated a step back from frontline politics, enjoys significant support within the party due to his extensive ministerial experience and perceived ability to unite the fractured party. His main competition appears to be from Kate Forbes, the ex-finance secretary known for her swift rise within Scottish politics and previous bid for leadership, in which she narrowly lost to Yousaf. Forbes, despite her conservative views on issues such as equal marriage due to her Christian faith, has maintained a high profile and recently has been an influential voice within the SNP.

The upcoming leadership contest is set against the backdrop of the SNP aiming to stabilize their position in Holyrood ahead of the general elections. With the SNP navigating a closely divided parliament, the new leader will need to secure majority support to assume the role of First Minister. Both Swinney and Forbes are seen as key figures in their strategies for leading the party forward.