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Scotland’s First Minister has admitted there are “credibility issues” with the SNP’s recent record in office, days after its by-election defeat.
Humza Yousaf, whose leadership has been the subject of a police investigation into the SNP’s finances, told the Financial Times his party must do more to stay focused on issues such as the cost of living. Voter support.
“Let’s not beat around the bush, it was a tough night,” Youssef said Monday. “We’re not encouraging people to come out. Whether I like it or not, or I don’t, there’s always someone who needs to believe in what we deliver.”
The SNP suffered heavy losses to Labor in the recent Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-elections. Labor’s 20-point lead sets the stage for a tough SNP conference in Aberdeen this weekend.
Labour’s victory in last Thursday’s vote, triggered by the ouster of former SNP MP Margaret Ferrier for breaching Covid-19 rules, marks a multi-year return to Scotland’s main opposition party. the biggest change.
Opinion polls suggest Labor, which until last week had just one MP in Scotland, could be set for a wider Scottish renaissance in next year’s UK general election.
James Mitchell, professor of public policy at the University of Edinburgh, said the by-election defeat meant Youssef was likely to encounter “a lot of angry people” at the SNP conference in Aberdeen on Sunday.
“Weak authority is starting to disappear,” Mitchell said. “He’s in trouble (and). I don’t think he can survive the election.”
Alex Salmond, one of his SNP predecessors and now leader of the anti-independence Alba party, said last week that Youssef had “a few days” to hold his own. rice bowl.
But Youssef dismissed speculation about his own position and said he expected to lead the SNP in next year’s UK general election and the Holyrood election in 2026.
“I never paid much attention to people who were dismissive of me,” Youssef said.
“The focus has to be on the fact that for some people in Scotland, I would say I feel unfairly, some people have a credibility issue with the SNP and the Scottish Government.”
“My focus has to be on ensuring results for the party. If we do that, we will be seen as credible. If we are seen as credible, people will continue to support us.”
Youssef’s in-laws were trapped in Gaza at the time of the interview on Monday. He told the Financial Times that his government “unequivocally” condemns Hamas’ attacks on Israel but called on the Israeli government not to “punish two million people for the shameful behavior of a few.”
Youssef insisted the SNP would recover from Ruthergren’s defeat by focusing on the cost of living crisis, the economy, the NHS and public services.
The first minister faced criticism from opposition parties that the SNP was too focused on independence when voters were concerned about other issues.
But Yusuf believes his party can successfully show voters that independence is Scotland’s best way to become a more prosperous and equal country.
“The three big issues facing people are the cost of living crisis, the NHS, public services and the economy. Of course, for me, independence is tied to all three,” he said.
The SNP leadership hopes that continuing to hold the most Scottish seats at Westminster at the next general election will give the party the power to negotiate with the UK government on how to give Scottish independence a “democratic effect”. This could involve giving Edinburgh the power to hold another referendum or negotiate the terms of separation.
After Scots voted 55% to 45% to remain in the UK in 2014, both the Conservatives and Labor expressed opposition to another referendum.
Former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon’s attempts to force another vote were thwarted last year after Britain’s top court ruled the then-first minister had no legal power to act without London’s consent Vote below.
Emily Gray, managing director of Ipsos Scotland, said the SNP risked handing the initiative to Labor on the issues that matter most to voters.
“The SNP will be very concerned if Labor starts to be seen by voters as the party best equipped to solve the cost of living crisis because we know how important this is to people.”
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