We knew that Humza Yousaf wasn’t the sharpest tool in the ministerial box but no one expected him to mess up quite so spectacularly on his first day. It only took the new First Minister a couple of hours to undermine his own authority and provoke a potentially ruinous split in the Scottish National Party. Way to go, Humza!
Forcing his rival Kate Forbes out of his cabinet by making her an offer she couldn’t accept – demotion to rural affairs – Yousaf has deepened the divisions that emerged during the leadership campaign. He has also exposed as false his claim to be a unifier; has lost the most capable minister in the Scottish government; and has made himself look petty and vindictive. Oh, and he’s probably ensured that Kate Forbes will be his successor in the not too distant future.
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