Topic: Scottish politics [brought to you in association with Walkers shortbread]

[Musketeer Gripweed]

All down to Ash Regan whether he stays or goes it seems.

She will only do what Salmond tells her to do.

[Elmo!]

I'm not even convinced it will get as far as Regan. Can see some SNP MSPs abstaining or voting against Yousaf.

[Kenny's Jacket]

Regan has given him a list of demands,

Unfortunately, I can see this pushing the SNP to the right

[Red-Soldier]

Regan has given him a list of demands,

Unfortunately, I can see this pushing the SNP to the right

The Alba MSP Ash Regan has now published on X the text of her letter to Humza Yousaf suggesting what he needs to do to secure her support in the no confidence vote next week.

As well as asking for assurances relating to the rights of women and “competent governance”, she is asking Yousaf to support her proposed Scottish parliament powers referendum bill. This is a reference to an Alba party plan to get round the fact that Westminster can stop the Scottish government holding a referendum on independence by instead getting the Scottish government to hold a referendum on whether it should have the power to hold an independence referendum. Alba believes Westminster would not be able to stop such a vote.

[Wabaloolah]

hold a referendum on a referendum, that's a new one!!

[Red Beret]

This is a reference to an Alba party plan to get round the fact that Westminster can stop the Scottish government holding a referendum on independence by instead getting the Scottish government to hold a referendum on whether it should have the power to hold an independence referendum. Alba believes Westminster would not be able to stop such a vote.

Surely they must realise that Westminister could simply change the law to close this perceived loophole? A referendum on whether they should be able to hold a referendum? What's that supposed to even accomplish?

[Slippers]

Oh dear.

What a pity.

[Jiminy Cricket]

hold a referendum on a referendum, that's a new one!!

'Votes on votes' are not that unusual within parliaments. But on the face of it, a referendum on a referendum is an odd thing to do.

[Red Beret]

Looks like Yousaf is on the verge of standing down as First Minister.

[Elmo!]

Looks like Yousaf is on the verge of standing down as First Minister.

It's honestly mind blowing how stupid his actions last week were. It was only ever going to end this way once he did it. Rumour is it was Stephen Flynn's idea..... he's not stupid so assume this was political games from him.

[Crosby Nick]

It's honestly mind blowing how stupid his actions last week were. It was only ever going to end this way once he did it. Rumour is it was Stephen Flynn's idea..... he's not stupid so assume this was political games from him.

Not really been paying attention - what did he actually do that’s triggered all this?

[thaddeus]

Not really been paying attention - what did he actually do that’s triggered all this?

He ended the Bute House Agreement (a coalition with the Scottish Green Party).  The SNP are therefore short of a majority and are effectively unable to govern.  Alex Salmond with his one Alba MSP - Ash Regan who defected from the SNP - was offering support in exchange for a referendum 

Self-inflicted chaos.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-greens-humza-yousaf-first-minister-bbc-radio-scotland-evan-davies-b1154169.html

[Elmo!]

He ended the Bute House Agreement (a coalition with the Scottish Green Party).  The SNP are therefore short of a majority and are effectively unable to govern.  Alex Salmond with his one Alba MSP - Ash Regan who defected from the SNP - was offering support in exchange for a referendum 

Self-inflicted chaos.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-greens-humza-yousaf-first-minister-bbc-radio-scotland-evan-davies-b1154169.html

For context, the Greens had scheduled an EGM to discuss ending the agreement themselves. They were unhappy about the Scottish Government abandoning climate change pledges, but there was a very good chance they would have voted to maintain the agreement. I can only think Yousaf wanted to get out ahead of that and end it on the SNPs terms, but if he had just let it play out, and if the Greens had decided to end it, they would probably have still supported him in a VONC and support a minority government on many issues. Instead he's ruined the relationshipp with the only party that will work with the SNP on reasonable terms.

[Elmo!]

Confirmed he is resigning.

[Musketeer Gripweed]

Safe to say he's had a worse week than any of us. Didn't think that was possible, but here we are.

[Libertine]

Is Keir Starmer the luckiest party leader ever?

Succeeds the worst ever Labour leader so providing a nice contrast. Up against arguably the three worst PMs in British history. And now the SNP imploding as well giving him the chance of making big gains in Scotland.

Even the Lib Dems are playing into his hands perfectly - taking seats off the Tories while being no competition in progressive/urban seats.

[TepidT2O]

Safe to say he's had a worse week than any of us. Didn't think that was possible, but here we are.

Seems like a genuinely nice guy. But maybe he tried too hard to please too many people??? (Maybe he had no choice to be fair)

[Elmo!]

There's been a chasm forming between the left and the right of the party for ages now. The independence issue kept them together for a long time, but with no clear way forward for that in the foreseeable future has meant holding it together has been harder and harder.

to be honest I almost want someone like Kate Forbes to succeed Yousaf just to see support for the SNP collapse and serve as a reminder to the right of the party that it was the move left that brought about all their success.

[TepidT2O]

There's been a chasm forming between the left and the right of the party for ages now. The independence issue kept them together for a long time, but with no clear way forward for that in the foreseeable future has meant holding it together has been harder and harder.

to be honest I almost want someone like Kate Forbes to succeed Yousaf just to see support for the SNP collapse and serve as a reminder to the right of the party that it was the move left that brought about all their success.

My sense has been that the SNP accommodated a very broad church, from people I might call centrist Tories to people all the way to full on socialists. Is that fair??

[Red Beret]

What's the drill now? Will the confidence vote proceed? Can the SNP continue as a minority government? Or will there be an election?

[Yosser0_0]

It's honestly mind blowing how stupid his actions last week were. It was only ever going to end this way once he did it. Rumour is it was Stephen Flynn's idea..... he's not stupid so assume this was political games from him.

Has the widely known nickname of Humza Useless. SNP in chaos and has been losing credibility for quite a while now with Labour likely be the party to benefit from this.

[Elmo!]

My sense has been that the SNP accommodated a very broad church, from people I might call centrist Tories to people all the way to full on socialists. Is that fair??

Economically pretty much. Sprinkle in a few very socially conservatives, even by the Tories standards.

[thaddeus]

What's the drill now? Will the confidence vote proceed? Can the SNP continue as a minority government? Or will there be an election?

I think there are two votes of confidence planned; one in Yousaf (which is now pointless) and one in the SNP government (which presumably still goes ahead).  Yousaf resigning has probably taken some of the wind out of the sails of those wanting another election.

Economically pretty much. Sprinkle in a few very socially conservatives, even by the Tories standards.

Nationalism is generally a trait of the right so it always felt a bit odd that a socially progressive SNP were the flag-bearers for Scottish independence.  A tricky one to balance, I expect.

[Elmo!]

What's the drill now? Will the confidence vote proceed? Can the SNP continue as a minority government? Or will there be an election?

If there is no First Minister, a new one must be elected within 28 days or there is an election. Unlike Westminster, a candidate for FM is actually voted for in  Parliament and can only become FM if they win the vote (neither Sunak or Truss had to do this).

What I am not clear on is that Yousaf said he will stay on until a successor is appointed... so I'm not sure if the 28 day thing applies.

Also, if there is an election, that's not a reset for another 5 years (unlike WM) - there will still be an election in 2026.

[Red Beret]

If there is no First Minister, a new one must be elected within 28 days or there is an election. Unlike Westminster, a candidate for FM is actually voted for in  Parliament and can only become FM if they win the vote (neither Sunak or Truss had to do this).

What I am not clear on is that Yousaf said he will stay on until a successor is appointed... so I'm not sure if the 28 day thing applies.

Also, if there is an election, that's not a reset for another 5 years (unlike WM) - there will still be an election in 2026.

Thanks for that.

[Musketeer Gripweed]

Seems like a genuinely nice guy. But maybe he tried too hard to please too many people??? (Maybe he had no choice to be fair)

Don't know about nice, but he was as inoffensive as they come, to the point of boring.

I think the SNP would be better having a period of time in opposition to get all their supporters to concentrate on their only real party policy. All they are doing at this point is showing they are pretty poor when it comes to matter not involving independence.

Also, it's actually showing good a job Salmond and Sturgeon did for them for as long as they did.

Edit :- Last time he wasn't boring...

[Yorkykopite]

Can we go back to having a fish in charge? I liked that. Is there a Pike or a Pollock in the SNP. Or even a Haddock? (Anyone remember Peter Haddock of Leeds United? Once got battered by Joe Fryer, the Swindon goalie)

[TepidT2O]

Can we go back to having a fish in charge? I liked that. Is there a Pike or a Pollock in the SNP. Or even a Haddock? (Anyone remember Peter Haddock of Leeds United? Once got battered by Joe Fryer, the Swindon goalie)

someone to put them back on their Perch you mean?

[Jiminy Cricket]

someone to put them back on their Perch you mean?

RAWK is hardly the plaice for this nonsense.

[classycarra]

credit where credits due, he leaves with his head held high as the first SNP FM to leave office without being arrested!

(yet)

[Elmo!]

credit where credits due, he leaves with his head held high as the first SNP FM to leave office without being arrested!

(yet)

Actually all 3 FMs left office without being arrested. The arrests came after.

[classycarra]

Actually all 3 FMs left office without being arrested. The arrests came after.

bugger. dilutes his one achievement! (which may not last)

[Red Beret]

SNP wins No Confidence motion.

[Kenny's Jacket]

Can we go back to having a fish in charge?

Forbes has ruled herself out - So leaves the the coast clear for John Swimmy

[Crosby Nick]

Forbes has ruled herself out - So leaves the the coast clear for John Swimmy

I hope he’s not afraid to go against the tide.

[Statto Red]

Forbes has ruled herself out - So leaves the the coast clear for John Swimmy

I remember Forbes sabotaging her own chances last time when she admitted she allowed her own personal religious beliefs to dictate how she votes in the Scottish parliament, Blackford [former SNP leader at Westminster] is from the same church as Forbes but he never allowed his own personal religious beliefs to interfere on how he voted.

[Libertine]

I remember Forbes sabotaging her own chances last time when she admitted she allowed her own personal religious beliefs to dictate how she votes in the Scottish parliament, Blackford [former SNP leader at Westminster] is from the same church as Forbes but he never allowed his own personal religious beliefs to interfere on how he voted.

"Vote for me, I'm incapabale of thinking for myself" is quite the pitch....

[Kenny's Jacket]

I hope he’s not afraid to go against the tide.

If he doesnt he krill suffer a tidal wave of abuse thats for shore

[Jiminy Cricket]

If he doesnt he krill suffer a tidal wave of abuse thats for shore

Dear, oh dear, KJ. I fear you are floundering there.

[Kenny's Jacket]

Dear, oh dear, KJ. I fear you are floundering there.

Gimme a hake JC I fried my best, If you can do batter let minnow?