Political ping pong continues over the weekend

April 28, 2024 8:03 am

The First Minister, Humza Yousaf has written to all party leaders in what he says is an effort to build consensus for the common good, inviting all of them to Bute House to talk about concerns and priorities in a “hopefully constructive spirit”.

Scottish Conservative Leader, Douglas Ross, has replied to what he calls a “humiliating and embarrassing” letter seeking the support of other party leaders, by writing back in straightforward terms telling Humza Yousaf that his “time in power is over” and that he must now tender his resignation as First Minister.

Mr Ross said: “This is a humiliating and embarrassing letter, in which Humza Yousaf is begging to be allowed to keep his job. His belated abandonment of the Bute House Agreement with the toxic Greens – which he was backing just two days before he finally decided to pull the plug – does nothing to undo the immense damage it has caused.

“Our NHS, schools, police and public services have all been profoundly hit by the spectacular mismanagement of the SNP-Green government under his leadership, and his last minute U-turn offers nothing to repair that.

“Humza Yousaf now talks about delivering “substantial benefits for people, communities and businesses right across the country”, and only wants to discuss “concerns and… priorities” now that his job is on the line.

“It is his abject failure to have prioritised these issues that has led to a complete lack of confidence in his leadership across the parliament. He should now accept that his time in power is over, and finally offer his resignation as First Minister.

“If he doesn’t do so before the Scottish Conservative vote of no confidence in him next week, his future as First Minister rests on a vote that is currently so finely balanced that his credibility as a leader will be utterly destroyed, whatever the result.”