Scotland’s new first minister looked knackered from efforts to unite his party after bruising leadership race
It was all a bit underwhelming. On the plus side, there were few signs of nerves as Humza Yousaf took his first first minister’s questions in the Scottish parliament. But nor should there have been – he’s been a senior minister for five years and has had plenty of practice at batting away awkward questions. On the downside, there appeared little spark. Little enthusiasm. No desire for change. He looked knackered. This could have been almost any FMQs from the past few years. Nought’s had, all’s spent, where our desire is got without content.
Fair to say this hasn’t been the easiest few days for Yousaf. True, he did become Scottish National party leader on Monday, but the contest was a great deal closer than he would have liked. Time was when the SNP didn’t think 52% to 48% a proper margin of victory. He would have liked something more convincing. A mandate of which he could boast. That all was well in the good ship SNP. Now it was clear that almost half the party thought the leadership needed a major change of direction.
