Scots react after Humza Yousaf terminates Bute House Agreement with Greens

Members of the public have reacted to the First Minister's latest move to terminate the SNP's powersharing deal with the Scottish Greens.

The Bute House Agreement was officially brought to an end after an emergency cabinet meeting was held at Humza Yousaf's official residence on Thursday morning. Scottish Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater were seen to walk out of Bute House before 8.30am.

It comes after their party said last week that it would hold a vote on the future of the deal, which was brought into place in 2021. The agreement, which was voted for by members of both parties, brought the Greens into government for the first time anywhere in the UK.

It gave the SNP a majority in the Scottish Parliaments when its votes there were combined with those of the seven Green MSPs. The Record spoke to members of the public in Glasgow following Mr Yousaf's announcement.

Many said the move from the First Minister was an attempt to "reinstate power".

Andrew Kelman, 75, from Shawlands, Glasgow, who is a retired medical physicist, said: "I'm delighted by the end of this deal. I don't think the Greens are very sensible with their ideas.

"At the same time, I think Humza Yousaf is only trying to keep himself in a career. None of the parties are particularly impressive if I am honest.

"When the deal first came into place, I thought it was only a mechanism of getting the SNP into power and the Greens were delighted because it meant they got some power as well."

Councillor Thomas Kerr, 27, who represents the Shettleston ward in Glasgow, said: "I think it's good for the country but it also shows how weak the First Minister has become. The fact he dumped the Greens because he was going to get dumped says a lot.

"It's a shambles and the country deserves so much better. He's trying to reinstate leadership but his position is extremely weak. He once said this deal was worth its weight in gold. Now, he is trying to turn around and say that it has come to a natural end.

"He's panicking about the authority that is just leaping away from his hands."

Daniel Hewitt, 27, from Glasgow and who works in finance, added: "I have supported the Greens and their policies over the last couple of years, especially post-pandemic.

"I really approved of their Housing Policy which protects private tenants. I just cannot agree with anyone in power from the SNP after Alex Salmond.

"I think Humza has chucked the Greens out because he wants more power for himself. Greens are for the people and Yousaf is not for the people.

"I hope that Scotland realises he is not the man for the job and that he should not be First Minister. I would support a Scottish Government, but not one that is led by the SNP and one that has depleted the city we are in just now."

Others expressed their disappointment over the deal coming to an end.

Iain Grossart, 54, who is a railway signaling engineer from Glasgow, said: "I voted for both parties so I am disappointed this agreement is over and that two independence parties have fallen out. I have kids and I'm worried about what the planet will look like when they get older, so it is disappointing to see the Greens drop out of government.

"The bigger picture for me, though, is independence. The sooner we get independence we can control things like our renewables industry."

Kirsty Cunningham, 41, an accountant from Cathcart, Glasgow, said: "I liked the fact that the Greens had a big say in the government. I thought it was important that the Greens had an important influence at the heart of government.

"In a Scottish election, Greens would be my second vote because it's an ability to influence things. In a UK general election, the Greens can't get anywhere so I thought it was good for Scotland to get green issues high on the agenda."

Others said they were "happy" to see the end of the Bute House Agreement.

Gordon Leggitt, 62, a retired engineer from Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire, said: "I'm happy to see the end of it. I've never been in favour of the Greens' policies. I think the SNP should be able to stand on their two feet and if not, let's let someone else take over.

"With a partnership, too many views are involved and too many people need to be satisfied. With the ending of the agreement, I think Humza Yousaf is trying to flex a bit of muscle, but it's not going to work.

"I think he'll be lucky to be in a job within the next couple of months."

A minority supported the First Minister's latest move.

Elizabeth Dodds, 74, from Paisley, who is a retired social worker, said: "I have every confidence in the First Minister's approach and his way forward. It was good that they managed to cooperate but if it has run its course, then it has run its course.

"I'm not sure if the end of the agreement will be beneficial for Scotland - that is a pretty loaded question."

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