Currently, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak isn’t finding much joy in his current situation, nonetheless the unfolding circumstances to the north, in Edinburgh, might evoke a brief expression of amusement. The Scottish National Party (SNP), which once held dominion over the region, is now engrossed in crises largely self-inflicted.
Barely a year on the job and first minister Humza Yousaf has decided to step down. He was confronting a vote of confidence in himself as well as his government, and stated his unwillingness to make the “compromises” required to maintain his position.
Much of Yousaf’s future hinged on his former party colleague, Ash Regan, who is now with the Alba party. After voicing disagreements over the SNP’s stance on gender issues and the fight for Scottish independence, Regan left the SNP. She had indicated that her support for Yousaf might depend on his commitments on these and other issues, which proved to be one step too drastic for Yousaf, leaving him in a tricky situation due to his tactics over the previous week.
The issue escalated after Yousaf decided to dissolve the SNP’s alliance with the Green party choosing instead to forge ahead with a minority government. This decision came after the Green party raised concerns about the scrapping of ambitious emission reduction goals. It also brought to light the discomfort some SNP members felt about what they perceived to be the Green party’s undue influence on government policies.
Meanwhile, the scandal involving the SNP’s ex-chief executive and Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell, who faces criminal charges of misappropriating party funds, has been an ongoing worry. While Yousaf hasn’t been implicated in the scandal, his close association with Sturgeon has raised eyebrows especially since he took over following her surprising exit last year. His resignation deals another blow to the party, giving their adversaries an extra edge. The SNP is now trailing the Labour party in public opinion polls for the first time in a decade. The resulting chaos could very well add to the significant seat losses predicted in the forthcoming Westminster elections.
Kate Forbes, who fell short in last year’s leadership race, is a favoured candidate among party members. Others, like former leader John Swinney, could potentially come forward, possibly as a temporary solution. A potential compromise with the Greens could allow the government to retain office.
The victor will indeed be confronted with the challenging assignment of reinstating a feeling of security and significance to the party, which has witnessed a reduction in its exclusive alignment to the goal of independence, courtesy of numerous controversies. In the meantime, Labour is casting interested glances at the potential of recapturing some seats in order to enhance its majority in the forthcoming UK parliament. However, it would be premature to write off the SNP just yet; with more than 40 percent of polled support still advocating for independence. The crucial challenge lies in discovering a method to recharge and realign their focus towards achieving another opportunity for a referendum for an autonomous Scotland.