Humza Yousaf to quit Holyrood
The former First Minister will leave at the election in 2026
Last updated 17th Dec 2024
Former First Minister Humza Yousaf says he will quit Holyrood at the next election in 2026 saying it is the 'right time to move on'.
The Glasgow Pollok MSP stepped down from the top job in May, after just over a year in Bute House, following his ending of a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens which saw the Scottish Government lose its majority.
In a letter to John Swinney, his successor as First Minister and SNP leader, he writes: "Come 2026, I will have served 15 years as an MSP. The time will be right for me to move on.
"As the son of immigrants, I could never have imagined the incredible political journey I have been on. I feel blessed.
"Thank you to all of those who have supported me over the years."
Posting on X he pledged: "I will, of course, continue to represent my constituents in Glasgow Pollok until I stand down in 2026, and speak out on issues of importance, both domestic and international."
The former first minister added: "When one chapter begins to close, you often spend time reflecting on your achievements, mistakes and even regrets - I have all three.
"However, I hope that throughout it all, I was able to treat people with kindness, courtesy and respect."
Political pioneer
Mr Swinney responded by describing Mr Yousaf as a "pioneer in Scottish politics", adding: "I wish Humza, Nadia and their family much peace together".
Mr Yousaf also spoke to Zeteo's Mehdi Hassan about his decision to step back from frontline politics, saying ending the Bute House Agreement was "the right thing to have done".
In August he admitted making a "miscalculation" by not considering the human element when he sacked the Green co-leaders from the Scottish Government.
He said: "My successor is no longer encumbered with that deal, (he) can make decisions in policy that he wants to take forward in our country's interest without having to negotiate and compromise with the Greens.
"They can do that on an issue by issue basis, which I think is the best way to do it."
Green tributes
Today there are warm words from Humza Yousaf from Patrick Harvie, the co-leader of the Greens, who was furious earlier this year at the way the power-sharing agreement was abruptly ended.
"As the Cabinet Secretary for Health he helped to guide Scotland through the COVID pandemic and as First Minister he spoke powerfully in opposition to the genocide in Gaza, showing leadership that has been sorely lacking from far too many governments around the world," he said in a statement.
"There were areas where we agreed and areas where we disagreed. I always believed, and he eventually came to accept, that his decision to end the cooperation agreement between our parties was a mistake. But even those events never stopped me liking and respecting Humza, and nobody could doubt his commitment to his job or to building a fairer and better Scotland.
"My party and I wish Humza and his family nothing but the best in everything they do next."
Humza Yousaf's year as First Minister
March 27, 2023
Humza Yousaf wins a bruising SNP leadership election, narrowly defeating closest rival Kate Forbes by 52% to 48% in the second round of voting.
Speaking after the result was announced, he said Scotland should "take pride" in electing its first leader from an ethnic minority background, and he pledged to work to reunite the party.
March 29, 2023
Humza Yousaf is sworn in at the Court of Session, in front of his family, and friends, officially taking on the role of First Minister.
April 5, 2023
Less than a week into Humza Yousaf's tenure, former SNP chief executive - and Nicola Sturgeon's husband - Peter Murrell is arrested in relation to a police investigation, Operation Branchform, into how £600,000 of crowdfunding for the party was spent.
Mr Murrell is held for questioning by detectives but later released without charge pending further investigation.
The arrest leads to one of the most iconic images in UK politics in 2023, as the house shared by Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon is searched, with police erecting a blue forensics tent in their front garden.
June 7, 2023
The Scottish Government delays its deposit return scheme until at least October 2025 after the UK Government rejects an application for an exemption to the Internal Market Act - effectively blocking glass from the scheme
June 11, 2023
Nicola Sturgeon is arrested in relation to Operation Branchform.
She is released later in the day pending further investigation, and posted on social media that she knows "beyond doubt that I am in fact innocent of any wrongdoing".
September 5, 2023
The First Minister outlined his first Programme for Government, setting his sights on the "scourge of poverty".
September 28, 2023
Veteran SNP MSP Fergus Ewing is suspended for a week from the party's Holyrood group after voting against Government minister and Green co-leader Lorna Slater in a confidence vote.
7th October
Hamas attacks Israel, prompting reprisals which trap Mr Yousaf's in-laws in Gaza.
The First Minister becomes one of the loudest voices calling for a ceasefire to avoid civilian casualties.
On 5th November the First Minister's in-laws return home to Scotland
October 28, 2023
Former SNP leadership candidate Ash Regan defects to Alba.
November 9, 2023
Media reports reveal Mr Yousaf's Health Secretary Michael Matheson racked up a near £11,000 data roaming bill on a parliamentary iPad.
He initially attempts to cover the costs using parliamentary expenses, before paying it himself in full. Mr Matheson tells MSPs in an emotional statement the bill was the result of his sons using the device as a wifi hotspot to watch football while on a family holiday.
The row dragged on until 8th Feb when Michael Matheson quits his Cabinet role, saying it is an attempt to avoid the ongoing parliamentary probe into his roaming bill becoming a "distraction". Neil Gray is made Health Secretary.
January 12, 2024
The SNP launches its campaign ahead of the general election, with Mr Yousaf pledging to make Scotland a "Tory-free zone".
January 25, 2023
The First Minister appears before the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, insisting decisions during the pandemic were not taken for political reasons.
April 25 2024
Humza Yousaf calls the Scottish Green Party co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater to an early morning meeting to them them he is ending the Bute House Agreement between the parties, meaning the pair lose their Government jobs, and declares his intention to run a minority SNP Government. They angrily denounce the move and call him "weak" and "hopeless". The Scottish Conservatives call a vote of confidence in the First Minster, followed by Labour moving a confidence vote about the Scottish Government.