Humza Yousaf "intends absolutely" to fight vote of no confidence
Speaking in Dundee a day after the Bute House Agreement ended, the First Minister said he had "every intention" of winning
Last updated 26th Apr 2024
The First Minister says he “absolutely” intends to fight the vote of no confidence lodged by the Scottish Conservatives.
Speaking in Dundee on Friday afternoon, after cancelling an earlier engagement at Strathclyde University, Humza Yousaf added he has no plans to step down.
He told Sky News: “I've got every intention of winning that vote of no confidence.
"And let me say to the opposition for minority government to work in the interest of the people of Scotland also requires the opposition to act in good faith.
"And to the Greens I've obviously heard their anger, their upset.
"I've obviously heard their anger, and their upset"
"What I will do is be writing to all the political party leaders, all the party groups represented in the Scottish Parliament including of course Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater asking them to meet with me, to say how do we make minority government work.
“It's in the best interests of the people of Scotland that all of us act in good faith and make it work."
The end of the power sharing deal with the Scottish Greens means the SNP can no longer count on a majority at Holyrood.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn earlier said Mr Yousaf would "come out fighting" as opponents seek to bring down his government.
"I've got every intention of winning that vote of no confidence"
When asked if he would work with Alba Party Holyrood leader Ash Regan, whose vote could be potentially critical to his survival, the First Minister said he would be writing to all leaders, inviting them to a meeting in an attempt to "make minority government work".
Despite cancelling a speaking engagement in Glasgow this morning, Mr Yousaf made an appearance at Hillcrest Housing Association’s Derby Street Development in Dundee to announce an £80m boost for affordable housing over two years.
It was his first policy announcement since the Bute House Agreement was ended yesterday.
Despite facing a motion of no confidence in himself and the now minority SNP government, he has pledged to increase the affordable housing budget supply to £600m in 2024/25.
The £80m grant would go towards acquiring properties to bring into use for affordable housing.
"Come out fighting"
Scottish Government ministers have pledged to build 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, but Labour has said they are not on track to meet this target.
Mr Yousaf said: "Housing is essential in our efforts to tackle child poverty and reduce inequality across Scotland, and it supports jobs and growth in the economy.
"Providing good quality, affordable housing is at the very core of what my government is doing to make Scotland a better place.
"While there is a single person homeless in our country, it is simply not acceptable to have houses sitting empty - so I am determined that we remove the barriers and provide the money that will enable councils to buy properties so they can become affordable homes again.”
The First Minister continued: “This is one of a number of actions we are prioritising to help to reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation.
"We will also accelerate discussion with (councils body) Cosla in relation to the number of empty council homes."