Yousaf confirms he is resigning, saying he was not willing to trade his principles just to win no-confidence voteHumza Yousaf has arrived.He thanks journalists for coming and says last week he was here to announce the ending of the Bute House agreement, the power-sharing deal with the SNP. He says he still thought that was the right decision, for his party and for the country.He says he hoped to continue working with the Scottish Greens in a more informal.But he under-estimated how much hurt that decision caused, he says.He says, while a route to winning the no confidence motion was possible, he was not willing to compromise his principles.(That implies he was not willing to offer Alba the concessions it was demanding for Ash Regan’s vote).Yousaf says that is why he is resigning.
After spending the weekend reflecting on what is best for my party, for the government and for the country I lead, I’ve concluded that repairing our relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm.
I have therefore informed the SNP’s national secretary of my intention to stand down as party leader.
ShareUpdated at 13.17 CESTKey eventsStephen Flynn says John Swinney only candidate to replace Yousaf ‘with experience to do job and unite party’Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Wesminster, has told the News Agents podcast that John Swinney is the only candidate to replace Humz Yousaf “with the experience to do the job and unite the party”.
“There’s only one person with the experience to do the job and unite the party – I would encourage John Swinney to stand.”SNP’s Westminster leader @StephenFlynnSNP rules himself out as First Minister Humza Yousaf’s replacement
ShareIn a Commons urgent question Labour’s John Healey, the shadow defence secretary, asked the government to comment on reports at the weekend saying the Ministry of Defence is considering sending troops into Gaza to escort trucks of aid being driven off a giant floating pier built by the US military.Healey did not get an answer. Leo Docherty, the defence minister, replied:
We are not going to comment on the speculation that there might be a ground role for UK forces; it wouldn’t be right for me to comment on speculation and we’re very clear as to the current remit.
RFA [Royal Fleet Auxiliary] Cardigan Bay is there to provide living support for the US troops involved in the construction and operational delivery of the JLOTS (Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore) platform.
ShareMPs debate e-petition saying parliament should legislate to allow assisted dyingMPs have just started debate on an e-petition signed by more than 200,000 people saying parliament should legislate to allow assisted dying. The petition says: “Terminally ill people who are mentally sound and near the end of their lives should not suffer unbearably against their will.”The debate will not have any practical impact. It is taking place in Westminster Hall, and MPs are not debating legislation, or even a substantive motion. If there is a vote, it will only be on whether or not MPs have debated the petition. (Sometimes MPs push for a no vote, on the grounds that that is a means of registering opposition.)But the debate, which could run for three hours, will allow MPs with strong feelings on the topic to say what they think, and it may give some indication as to whether or not there is a majority in the Commons for change. When the Commons voted a proper assisted dying bill in 2015, MPs voted against by 330 votes to 118.There is a live feed of the debate here.Ahead of the debate, supporters and opponents of assisted dying staged rival demonstations outside parliament.Supporters of Dignity in Dying, the group in favour of assisted dying, outside the Commons today. Photograph: Samuel Montgomery/PACampaigners from Not Dead Yet, who are opposed to assisted dying, outside parliament today. Photograph: Jordan Pettitt/PAShareHumza Yousaf and his wife Nadia El-Nakla leaving Bute House, his official residence in Edinburgh, this afternoon. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesShareTories say Swinney as first minister would represent ‘absolute continuity’ with Salmond, Sturgeon and YousafDouglas Ross, the Scottish Conservative leader, has said that, if John Swinney becomes the next SNP leader, he won’t represent change. Ross told Times Radio:
John Swinney served in Alex Salmond’s cabinet and Nicola Sturgeon’s cabinet and was one of the strongest supporters of Humza Yousaf. It will be absolute continuity again, with more focus on independence than improving public services that have suffered year after year …
John Swinney voted for all of these policies. He was deputy first minister when Nicola Sturgeon introduced her gender recognition reform bill. He also supported Humza Yousaf when he was justice secretary and introduced the Hate Crime Act. John Swinney has been at the heart of the SNP and nationalist governments since he was first elected in 2007. All of these policies that are rightly being challenged across Scotland have his hallmark all over them.
ShareA reader asks:
The Tory press release this morning relates to a green paper on disability benefits. If it’s a green paper, is there any realistic possibility of these changes coming in before a general election, or is this striking a pose to wind-up a certain constituency in advance of Thursday’s local elections?
There is no prospect at all of these changes coming into force before the general election.And the Conservative party may think it suits them to have this in the news only three days before the local elections.But that does not mean that is the only reason it is there. The government has been talking about welfare reform for some time, and Rishi Sunak has been explicit about wanting to cut the welfare bill to find revenue that he can use for things like tax cuts. This announcement is part of that agenda.(And it would be a mistake to think that it is just a local elections ploy; come the general election, it is quite likely that Sunak will be proposing some tax cuts funded or part-funded by welfare cuts he would like Labour to oppose.)ShareKiran StaceyLabour officials are infuriated they have not been allowed to see a copy of the government’s green paper on disability benefit reforms before a Commons statement on the subject later today.Mel Stride, the work and pensions secretary, will stand up in the Commons this afternoon, at round 5pm, to announce proposals to change the welfare system to reduce the number of people with mental health issues claiming benefits.Labour sources however say they are having to craft a response to those proposals without actually having seen the detail of them, making it impossible to decide whether they back them or not.A DWP spokesperson said:
We are following the standard procedure for the oral statement. We always send a courtesy copy of an oral statement in advance … The green paper is also being laid now, meaning all parliamentarians will have access to it very soon.
ShareHere are further tribute to Humza Yousaf from SNP colleagues.From Nicola Sturgeon, his predecessor as first ministerI know how big a privilege being First Minister is, but also the toll it can take. I also know what a wrench it is to step aside, even when sure it is the right thing to do.Humza has conducted himself with grace, dignity and integrity – both as FM and in the manner of his…— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) April 29, 2024

I know how big a privilege being First Minister is, but also the toll it can take. I also know what a wrench it is to step aside, even when sure it is the right thing to do.
Humza has conducted himself with grace, dignity and integrity – both as FM and in the manner of his leaving. I am and always will be proud to call him a friend.
From Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at WesminsterHumza Yousaf has served Scotland with integrity, compassion and commitment.The challenges he has faced have been huge, yet at every turn he has led from the front.There can be no doubt that he has now laid the groundwork required to take our country forward.I wish him well.— Stephen Flynn MP (@StephenFlynnSNP) April 29, 2024

Humza Yousaf has served Scotland with integrity, compassion and commitment.The challenges he has faced have been huge, yet at every turn he has led from the front.There can be no doubt that he has now laid the groundwork required to take our country forward.I wish him well.
From Shona Robison, deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for financeVery dignified, moving & personal statement from @HumzaYousaf this morning. He is recognised on the international stage for his leadership on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza when others have been mealy mouthed. I’ve no doubt he will continue to contribute to public life in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿— Shona Robison MSP (@ShonaRobison) April 29, 2024

Very dignified, moving & personal statement from @HumzaYousaf this morning. He is recognised on the international stage for his leadership on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza when others have been mealy mouthed. I’ve no doubt he will continue to contribute to public life in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
From Angus Robertson, cabinet secretary for the constitution, external affairs and cultureHumza Yousaf made history as the first-ever Muslim national leader of a modern Western European democracy. I’m very sorry to see him step down. It was an honour to serve in his Cabinet.— Angus Robertson (@AngusRobertson) April 29, 2024

Humza Yousaf made history as the first-ever Muslim national leader of a modern Western European democracy. I’m very sorry to see him step down. It was an honour to serve in his Cabinet.
ShareThe SNP MSP Fergus Ewing is a former rural economy and tourism secretary in the Scottish government, not the current one as an earlier post (see 2.42pm) wrongly said. I’m sorry for the error.ShareNeil Gray, the health secretary in the Scottish government who was second favourite to be next SNP leader in odds quoted this morning (see 9.53am), is not planning to stand and is supporting John Swinney for the job, Sky News is reporting.Gray posted this on X earlier.I am so sorry, heartsick sad, for @HumzaYousaf & Nadia. They’ve always put others before themselves & today encapsulates that. He’s led & left with dignity, compassion & an overwhelming desire to put the interests of the nation before his own. A true leader. So proud of my friend— Neil Gray MSP (@neilcgray) April 29, 2024

I am so sorry, heartsick sad, for @HumzaYousaf & Nadia. They’ve always put others before themselves & today encapsulates that. He’s led & left with dignity, compassion & an overwhelming desire to put the interests of the nation before his own. A true leader. So proud of my friend
ShareThe SNP has published the full text of Humza Yousaf’s resignation statement on its website.In some respects, it was a model for a statement of this kind. There was nothing self-pitying about it, and there was a welcome absence of hubris and boasting too. It also contains positive messages, about multiculturalism, minority rights and compromise.Here are post on X from two commentators praising it.From Open Democracy’s Peter GeogheganIn fairness to Humza Yousaf he did at least accept responsibility for the mess he created.Too many leaders – in politics and beyond – don’t.— Peter Geoghegan @ democracyforsale.substack (@PeterKGeoghegan) April 29, 2024

In fairness to Humza Yousaf he did at least accept responsibility for the mess he created.Too many leaders – in politics and beyond – don’t.
From the Guardian’s Rafael BehrYes, I was struck by the contrast between Yousaf ‘I dropped the ball, this one’s on me’ and, eg, Johnson ‘mindless herd has turned away from me for no good reason’— Rafael Behr (@rafaelbehr) April 29, 2024

Yes, I was struck by the contrast between Yousaf ‘I dropped the ball, this one’s on me’ and, eg, Johnson ‘mindless herd has turned away from me for no good reason’
yes this is very much what struck me. No deep state/mindless here. Just ‘yeah I messed up’.— Peter Geoghegan @ democracyforsale.substack (@PeterKGeoghegan) April 29, 2024

yes this is very much what struck me. No deep state/mindless here. Just ‘yeah I messed up’.
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