The Health Secretary of Scotland announced that he would run for the position of the first minister of the region. The race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and the First Minister of Scotland, who has announced her resignation, was accompanied by the announcement of the candidacy of Humza Yousaf, the Health Secretary of Scotland. Three candidates are in the running to succeed Nicola Sturgeon, the former leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), one of whom is Humza Yousaf, the Health Secretary of Scotland. Kate Forbes, the 32-year-old finance minister, and Ash Regan, 48, the former secretary of community security, are other rivals of Youssef. What are the positions of Humza Yousaf on various issues? What plans does he have after becoming First Minister of Scotland?
Electing Sturgeon’s successor within six weeks
The Scottish National Party has announced that it will choose a new leader within six weeks through a vote of members. 52-year-old Sturgeon has also announced that he will not retire from politics and will remain in his position until a successor is chosen. The Scottish National Party election result will be announced on March 27.
Sturgeon’s unexpected resignation
Sturgeon’s unexpected resignation raises a big question for the Scottish National Party’s battle for independence from the UK when the central government blocked the party’s efforts to hold a second referendum after the failed referendum in 2014; In that referendum, 55% of participants were against, and 45% were in favour of Scottish independence.
A Muslim waiting for SNP leadership
The Health Secretary of Scotland announced that he intends to be nominated as the country’s first minister to be the first Muslim in this position. Scottish Health Minister Humza Yousaf wishes to be this country’s first Muslim First Minister. Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of the Scottish National Party and the First Minister of Scotland, resigned from his position; for this reason, Scottish Health Minister Humza Yousaf was nominated to replace him. 37-year-old Humza Yousaf is the son of two immigrants who arrived in the UK in the 1960s, his mother is from Kenya, and his father is from Pakistan.
Various responsibilities of Humza Yousaf in the Scottish government
When Humza Yousaf joined the Scottish government at 27, he was the first non-white minister, the first Muslim, and the youngest cabinet minister in this government. Humza Yousaf was also the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2014, the Minister of Europe and International Development from 2014 to 2016, and the Minister of Transport and Islands from 2016 to 2018.
Humza Yousaf, the first candidate for the First Minister of Scotland
Humza Yousaf is the first person publicly declares his desire to be a candidate. 37-year-old Humza Yousaf, who has been a member of the Scottish Parliament since 2011 and has held several ministerial positions, tweeted: “A huge decision to make, but with the support & love of my family, I have decided to put myself forward as a candidate to become Scotland’s next First Minister, and Leader of the SNP.”
Yousaf’s academic education
Humza Yousaf studied political science at the University of Glasgow and received his master’s degree in 2007. He was president of the Glasgow University Muslim Students Association (GUMSA). 37-year-old Hamza Yusuf has been a member of the Scottish Parliament since 2011 and is currently the Minister of Health in this country’s government.
Sturgeon’s influence on the next election
The loss of Sturgeon, considered by many to be the UK’s best political liaison, could also affect the outcome of the next general election, helping the opposition Labor party to regain some of the seats it once held in Scotland.
Humza Yousaf, a supporter of social minorities
Yousaf is the first non-white and first Muslim cabinet member in the Scottish government. He took his oath in the Scottish Parliament in English and Urdu. Yousaf won the most support from other SNP lawmakers to replace Sturgeon because he supported social minorities and Nicola Sturgeon’s efforts.
Criticising Yousaf’s administration as the Health Secretary of Scotland
He has previously served as transport secretary and justice secretary. Still, in his current role as Scottish health minister, he has been criticized for increasing patient waiting times for medical services and reducing hospital staff.
Yousaf’s statements about the reasons for his candidature
Humza Yousaf has acknowledged the importance of becoming the first minister if he succeeds in the leadership race. He told the Radio Times: “I think it could potentially be a critical seminal moment for the country, a real demonstration of how far we have come. The fact that I am even in the running, somebody who is the grandson of an immigrant who came in the 1960s to this country is even in the running, in contention for the top job in Scotland, I think speaks volumes.”
Yousaf’s decision to challenge the UK government
He has once again made clear his determination to challenge the UK government over its decision to block new legislation reforming gender recognition in Scotland. Legislation passed by Holyrood in December was meant to simplify and speed up the process. Still, Westminster vetoed it, and Conservative ministers used an injunction under Section 35 of the Scotland Act to seek royal assent to the gender recognition reform bill. Humza Yousaf said: “I think we have to challenge Section 35 in court; I see no other way.”
The first Pakistani Prime Minister of Scottish descent
Hamza Yusuf is the first candidate for the First Minister of Scotland. If he can become the First Minister, he will be the first Muslim First Minister and a Pakistani citizen to reach this position. Scotland is one of the four constituent parts of the UK. Currently, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is the first non-white and Indo-African Prime Minister. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is also Muslim and of Pakistani origin.
