First Minister Humza Yousaf resigns: What happens now as SNP leader quits

The race to take over from Humza Yousaf is officially underway with nominations for the next SNP leader opening on Monday evening.

There will be a lot of speculation on who will replace Yousaf who lasted in the job at Bute House for just over a year after taking over from Nicola Sturgeon.

John Swinney and Kate Forbes are the early frontrunners to take the hotseat after Yousaf announced he would be quitting following the sacking of the Scottish Greens from government last week. He faced a no-confidence motion in the Scottish Parliament this week which forced him to resign as SNP leader and First Minister.

So, what happens now?

When will we see a new First Minister?

Humza Yousaf said he would stay in the job until the SNP has elected a new leader. The timetable for a leadership election is still to be determined, with the party to announce further details today.

The precedent for staying on as First Minister until a leadership election is concluded was set by Alex Salmond in 2014 and Nicola Sturgeon last year.

Could the leadership contest last as long as the previous example?

Senior SNP figures are desperate to avoid a repeat of the prolonged and bitter contest in March last year which followed Sturgeon’s resignation.

That contest dragged on for a month and is widely seen as having damaged the party’s popularity. All eyes are now on Kate Forbes. If she decides to stand, it will be a two-horse race between her and John Swinney.

What happens if only one candidate stands?

The SNP will set a deadline for nominations to become leader. If only one person comes forward, as happened in 2014 with Nicola

Sturgeon, then they will be appointed without a ballot of members. This would speed the whole process up considerably.

How does the new SNP leader become First Minister?

Once a new SNP leader is in place, Humza Yousaf will formally submit his resignation to the King. This will trigger the opening of nominations for a new First Minister to be elected by MSPs. Any member can nominate another to become first minister.

A series of ballots is then held until one candidate emerges the winner. The Presiding Officer then formally recommends to the King they should be appointed.

Will there be a new FM in time for the general election?

Almost certainly. The SNP hierarchy will want their leader in place for a general election, which could happen as soon as July.

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