Friday, March 29, 2024

Humza Yousaf becomes first ethnic minority leader to lead Scotland’s governing party

Scotland’s governing party has elected Humza Yousaf as its new leader.

Scotland’s governing party has elected Humza Yousaf as its new leader. The 37-year-old son of Asian immigrants is now set to become the first person of colour to serve as Scotland’s First Minister.

Following the sudden resignation of Nicola Sturgeon after eight years as the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Scotland’s semi-autonomous government, Yousaf has been appointed to succeed her as the party’s leader.

“From the Punjab to our parliament, this is a journey for our generations,” Yousaf said in an impassioned victory speech in Edinburgh, referencing his South Asian origins.

“I will ensure our drive for independence is in fifth gear,” he said. “The people of Scotland need independence now more than ever.”

“From Punjab to Pollok, people from across the world & here at home have been offering me their good wishes, grateful for all the kind msgs I have received. Can I thank Kate & Ash in particular for their kind words of support. We’re united as a team who will deliver for Scotland,” read his tweet.

Yousaf served under First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as justice secretary from 2018 to 2021 and latterly as health secretary since 2021. He has been the member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Glasgow Pollok constituency since 2016, having previously represented the Glasgow region from 2011 to 2016.

Born and raised by Punjabi immigrants in Glasgow, Yousaf studied politics at the University of Glasgow, before working as a parliamentary assistant for Bashir Ahmad, the first Muslim elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2007. Ahmad died of a heart attack two years later and Yousaf went on to work as parliamentary assistants for Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.

Yousaf is the son of first-generation immigrants: his father, Muzaffar Yousaf, was born in Mian Channu, Punjab, Pakistan, and emigrated from the city with his family in the 1960s.

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