Humza Yousaf, the outgoing First Minister of Scotland, has announced his resignation, with his departure being marked by a final speech to Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). The resignation follows a breakdown in the powersharing agreement between the Scottish National Party (SNP) and the Scottish Greens, leading to a vote of no confidence. Following his resignation, John Swinney, newly appointed leader of the SNP, is expected to be voted in as the next First Minister. Swinney, previously Scotland’s longest-serving deputy First Minister, expressed his honour at this new role and his commitment to serve both his party and Scotland.

The vote in Holyrood will be crucial as the SNP does not hold an overall majority, requiring Swinney to seek support from other parties to secure his position. Upon his expected appointment, Swinney will be officially sworn in at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Swinney’s rise to leadership has been met with approval within political circles, noting his ability to manage potential rivals and unify the party leading into forthcoming elections. He has emphasized his plans to address significant issues including child poverty and expressed his intention to reconcile differences within the SNP and with other political parties. Critics, however, have pointed out concerns over the absence of a leadership contest and internal dynamics within the party. As Swinney moves forward with his leadership, his strategies in managing party dynamics and addressing critical issues such as independence and gender rights are anticipated to shape the future political landscape of Scotland.