Humza Yousaf Announces Departure from Scottish Parliament in 2026

Former First Minister Humza Yousaf intends to step down as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) during the Holyrood election in 2026. The ex-leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) has served as a backbencher since his resignation as first minister in May. In a letter addressed to his successor, John Swinney, Mr. Yousaf indicated that the upcoming election would be the “right time” for him to leave parliament. The MSP for Glasgow Pollok, who succeeded Nicola Sturgeon in March 2023, was the United Kingdom’s first ethnic minority leader of a devolved government and the first Muslim to lead a major UK political party. He resigned from his positions as first minister and SNP leader following the collapse of the SNP’s power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens. In his letter, Mr. Yousaf, 39, noted that by 2026, he will have completed 15 years as an MSP. He stated that stepping down would “provide an opportunity for the next generation of MSPs to step forward, and to explore where I can best make a contribution in the future, in helping to tackle some of the most pressing challenges our world faces”. The former first minister further added: “I hope by becoming the first first minister of colour, and first Muslim leader of a western democratic nation, I have sent a clear message to every young person, of any background, who aspires to get involved in public service that you do belong and are just as deserving of opportunity as anyone else.” After leaving office, Mr. Yousaf admitted that terminating the power-sharing agreement with the Greens was his mistake, and that he “underestimated” the level of hurt caused by his decision. He also mentioned that he should have offered a more senior role in his government to leadership rival Kate Forbes. During his tenure in Bute House, the former SNP leader took a significant early stance on the conflict in Gaza by advocating for an immediate ceasefire. His in-laws were trapped in Gaza for four weeks following Israel’s invasion – a period he described as being the most difficult of his life. In his letter to the first minister, Mr. Yousaf expressed his hope that he “was able to demonstrate leadership during what I view as the moral question of our time”. Mr. Yousaf, the son of Pakistani immigrants, has previously questioned whether he and his family have a future in Scotland or the UK due to Islamophobia. He has also been involved in a long-running dispute with tech billionaire and X owner Elon Musk, with each accusing the other of racism. Mr. Yousaf vowed to continue working diligently for his constituents until 2026, and to remain a committed campaigner for Scottish independence and the SNP after departing from parliament. The former first minister stated he looked forward to more time with his family, and thanked his wife Nadia for the “sacrifices she has made for our family over the years”. Before becoming first minister, Mr. Yousaf spent more than a decade in various ministerial capacities, including periods as transport, justice, and health secretary. John Swinney expressed his regret that Mr. Yousaf was stepping down, describing him as a “pioneer in Scottish politics”. The first minister concluded: “I wish Humza, Nadia and their family much peace together.” Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie characterized the former first minister’s decision to end the power-sharing agreement with his party as a “mistake”. He added: “But even those events never stopped me liking and respecting Humza, and nobody could doubt his commitment to his job or to building a fairer and better Scotland.” The next Scottish Parliament election is scheduled for 2026. However, there is a possibility of a snap election being called before then if the minority SNP administration is unable to pass its budget. Mr. Yousaf had applied for initial vetting to stand as an SNP candidate in 2026, though the formal selection process will not commence until next year.