Humza Yousaf to Leave Scottish Parliament in 2026

Former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has announced he will not seek re-election to the Scottish Parliament in 2026, stating that it is time for him to move on after 15 years of service. Yousaf, who served a brief and tumultuous term as First Minister, faced significant criticism during his leadership, including controversies over his hate crime legislation and a high-profile clash with Elon Musk. He expressed pride in being the first first minister of color and hopes to inspire others from similar backgrounds. Meanwhile, SNP minister Jamie Hepburn incorrectly claimed that the party had banned sitting MPs from running for Holyrood, which has drawn criticism from political opponents. The SNP's National Executive Committee has not finalized rules regarding whether MPs need to resign from Westminster to run for Holyrood. The party's unclear stance adds to ongoing tensions within the SNP as they prepare for the upcoming election.