According to UK correspondent Lia van Bekhoven, Yousaf inherits a divided party. “Under Nicola Sturgeon – who is regarded as a convincing communicator – the various movements within Scottish nationalists were united,” says Van Bekhoven. “He kept the lid on, even though things got a lot tougher when the SNP lost the secession referendum in 2014.”
Van Bekhoven points out that a huge attempt was made under Sturgeon to secede Scotland through a referendum, but that plan failed. “Sturgeon ultimately failed to accomplish the most important thing the Nationalists wanted,” he continues. ‘And it was also expected that he would separate Scotland from the United Kingdom and make it independent. It didn’t happen.’
And now?
The question is therefore logical, thinks Van Bekhoven. How will Scotland fare under Yousaf’s new reign? It is evident that many Scots are quite fed up with the hassle surrounding independence. “For example, there are enough social and economic problems in the region, the Scots would rather focus on that now.”
However, Yousaf does not seem to want to deviate from Sturgeon’s line: independence is still on the table as far as he is concerned. Although British Prime Minister Sunak effectively immediately suppressed this, Yousaf seems determined. “He really sticks to that, and so he seems to continue down the same path as Sturgeon,” says Van Bekhoven.
Doubtful
However, Van Bekhoven points out, the question is whether Yousaf will have the possibility to hold a new referendum. The leadership battle within the Scottish National Party is fierce, he says. “Above all, and not just strategy,” he says. ‘Of course the goal is an independent Scotland, after all that’s what nationalists are on earth for. But more and more Scots are dropping out and want the SNP to focus more on things like healthcare, poverty and rising costs of living. And Yousaf is immediately confronted with that.’
But who exactly is Humza Yousaf?
Humza Yousaf, 37, has been in Scottish politics for over a decade and held a variety of posts, including now party leader of the Scottish National Party. This makes him the first Muslim leader of a major British political party. He was also Minister of Justice and Minister of Health.
In the battle for the leadership of the party and also for the premiership, Yousaf (26,000 votes) defeated fellow party member Kate Forbes by 2,000 votes. Ash Regan had already lost in the first round of voting. Yousaf succeeds Nicola Sturgeon, who surprisingly passed away six weeks ago.