Humza Yousaf was elected Monday, by Scottish nationalists to become the country’s next leader in a contentious election that exposed deep divisions in the party over policy and a stagnated independence campaign.
The 37-year-old practicing Muslim is set to take over as the head of the semi-autonomous government and succeed Nicola Sturgeon as the leader of the governing Scottish National Party (SNP), subject to a vote in the Scottish parliament.
Yousaf outlined his objectives, stating that he would focus on combating the cost of living crisis and make a renewed push for independence. “The people of Scotland need independence now more than ever before, and we will be the generation that delivers it,” he said in Edinburgh after the results were announced.
Yousaf’s victory was confirmed at the Murrayfield rugby ground in Edinburgh after a six-week campaign where the three candidates spent much of the contest criticising each other’s record in a series of personal attacks.
The SNP’s unity, which had been one of its strengths, broke down over arguments about how to achieve a second independence referendum and the best way to introduce social reforms such as transgender rights.
Yousaf takes over a party with an overarching goal to end Scotland’s three-century-long union with England. However, while about four in ten Scots still support independence, according to a poll this month, the departure of Sturgeon – a charismatic and commanding leader may slow some of the momentum behind a breakup of the United Kingdom.
There is no agreed-upon strategy for how to force a new referendum – one of the reasons Sturgeon resigned. The contest has relieved some pressure on British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is dealing with divisions in his own party, waves of industrial action, and high levels of inflation.
Yousaf won 24,336 of the votes of the SNP’s members in the first round, while his main rival Kate Forbes, 32, Scotland’s finance minister, came second with 20,559 votes. Ash Regan, who quit the government was third with 5,599 votes.
Yousaf, who was the frontrunner to replace Sturgeon, has emphasised continuity with her record.
