- Alba’s support crucial for Scottish independence, says Alex Salmond
- Ash Regan to discuss vote with Humza Yousaf next week
- SNP faces two votes of no confidence in Yousaf
A renewed drive for Scottish independence is contingent on his party’s support for Humza Yousaf’s minority SNP government, according to Alba leader Alex Salmond.
The former first minister stated that the party’s sole MSP, Ash Regan, would confer with Mr. Yousaf next week in the Scottish Parliament, in advance of two votes of no confidence.
Furthermore, Mr. Salmond advocated for an abandonment of “identity politics” and an emphasis on the “priorities of the people,” which include housing, health, education, employment, and industry.
Mr. Yousaf’s continued service as first minister could be determined by Ms. Regan’s vote.
Mr. Salmond has previously advocated for an electoral pact with Alba to increase the number of pro-independence parliamentarians; however, Mr. Yousaf has reportedly already ruled out this notion.
Alex Salmond, who formerly presided over the SNP, established Alba, an alternative pro-independence party, after a sour dispute with Nicola Sturgeon, the predecessor of Mr. Yousaf.
He stated that Alba’s proposal for a referendum on whether the Scottish Parliament should have the authority to legislate for and conduct another independence vote should be given significant consideration.
Additionally, Alba desires that all pro-independence organizations convene for a convention to devise a strategy.
He stated, “Ash Regan has introduced a bill in the Scottish parliament to expand its authority to include the legislation necessary for the independence negotiation.”
“We have every reason to believe that falls within the Parliament’s purview, and we would welcome a discussion on the subject.”
Furthermore, the independence movement has extensively advocated for the implementation of an independence convention, which could reestablish independence as a prominent issue and the Scottish government’s highest priority.
Votes of confidence two
Next week, potentially as early as Wednesday, the Scottish Parliament will hold two votes of no confidence in Humza Yousaf, following his sudden termination of the power-sharing agreement between the Scottish National Party and the Scottish Greens.
A motion introduced by the Scottish Conservatives centers on the individual serving as first minister, Mr. Yousaf. While it is non-binding, carrying it would make it difficult for him to maintain his position.
Approval of a second Scottish Labour motion would necessitate the resignation of the entire Scottish government.
Given that opposition parties have 65 MSPs and the SNP has 63 in the 129-seat parliament, Mr. Yousaf would be defeated if all but one MSP for the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Alba, Ms. Regan, voted against him.
Following Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation, Ash Regan ran against Humza Yousaf for the SNP leadership nomination last year. However, he finished in third place and subsequently defected to Alba.
In the event of a government defeat, MSPs would be presented with 28 days to reach a majority agreement on a new first minister, failing which a Scottish parliamentary election would be automatically triggered.
Salmond deemed Alba’s demands “reasonable” and urged the SNP to reorient its attention towards independence, rejecting identity politics and “divisive” culture.
“All independence supporters ought to want to see that, whether they are with Alba or the SNP,” he continued. “For this reason, I consider Ash Regan’s proposals to be exceedingly reasonable.”
Ms. Regan’s demands will be outlined at a Sunday evening meeting of Alba’s executive team, before discussions with Mr. Yousaf.
Mr. Salmond stated that Alba, who was elected under the SNP banner of two Members of Parliament, one Member of the State Electorate, and two local councilors, was prepared to run in an early Holyrood election if required.
With the proportional representation system, he predicted that his party would secure a substantial number of MSPs.
The Bute House Agreement, a power-sharing arrangement between the Scottish Greens and Mr. Yousaf that was terminated on Thursday, prompted indignant recriminations from the SNP’s former governmental allies.
Former Westminster leader of the SNP Ian Blackford issued an apology to the Scottish Greens on Sunday for how the deal’s termination had been managed.
“I apologise for what has transpired this week; it could have transpired differently, but we are where we are,” he told Laura Kuenssberg of the BBC.
“I would advise the Greens against discarding it this week,”
“Demonstrate your confidence and faith in the first minister. We have arrived where we have arrived. We can ensure that this government delivers on the Scottish people’s priorities by retaining Humza Yousaf as our first minister.
“Violation of trust”
Co-leader of the Green Party Lorna Slater stated that while Mr. Yousaf remained first minister, there were few options in negotiations with the SNP.
She stated that the agreement-terminating “short but civil” meeting that took place at Bute House on Thursday morning constituted a “spectacular breach of trust.”
Before responding to Mr. Yousaf’s offer of discussions, the party was evaluating its options, but Ms. Slater stated that preparations were in place for all contingencies, including the possibility of an early Holyrood election.
“We will support a vote of no confidence in Humza Yousaf, and I am unable to conceive of anything that could alter that position at this time,” she stated.
“Although we maintained that the agreement was founded upon trust and respect, Humza Yousaf has violated that, and he must bear the repercussions. I continue to have a great deal of respect and trust for a number of my SNP colleagues.
“We are prepared to hold elections.” We are completely prepared and inclined to offer our candidature.
Formal letters of resignation
The first minister requested meetings at Bute House on Friday evening with all of Scotland’s main political parties to identify “common ground.”
On Saturday, the Scottish Conservatives declined the invitation.
This was succeeded by yet another rejection on Sunday, this time at the hands of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
Their leader, Alex Cole-Hamilton, reiterated the demands for Mr. Yousaf’s resignation made by the leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, Douglas Ross.
Presiding officer Alison Johnstone would have the casting ballot, which, according to parliamentary norms, is always in favor of the status quo, should Ms. Regan vote with the SNP to force a tie.
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On the Sunday Show, Mr. Ross stated that such a result would not inspire confidence in Mr. Yousaf’s capacity to lead.
He stated that before the vote, the Conservatives had attempted to persuade all the other parties to support their motion and that his party would also support the Labour Party’s motion of no confidence in the entire government.
“Humza Yousaf’s tenure as first minister is untenable. He stated on the Sunday Show, “As I informed him yesterday in my letter, he must resign; his time in office is up.”
“Even if he manages to survive with Alex Salmond’s assistance, he is finished for good.” That does not inspire the confidence of the Scottish Parliament as a whole.
“The first minister’s letter was humiliating and embarrassing; it demonstrates his desperation to retain his position.”
