Skip to main content
Adelante Latin America conference
Humza interruptus
As the former first minister of Scotland departs to write his pamphlet-length memoir of political achievement, STEPHEN LOW explores how it all went so wrong
HIGH DRAMA: (Right) Humza Yousaf, who has now resigned, (left) the main chamber of Holyrood during a debate on a motion of no confidence in the Scottish government

SO, FAREWELL then, Humza Yousaf. Well, sort of.

Scotland’s here-today, gone-in-a-few-weeks first minister took the decision last week to end his coalition with the Scottish Green Party. He summoned the Greens’ co-leaders, Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, to an early morning meeting, told them he was ending the Bute House Agreement, the formal name of the power-sharing deal, and sacked them from their ministerial jobs.  

Since then it’s been a tale, whoever has been telling it, “full of sound and fury” and while it may not signify “nothing” it signifies a good deal less than is usually made out.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
ALL TOGETHER: Workers from all industries join the ‘mega picket’ — mass solidarity action to support the Birmingham bin strike organised by Strike Map, July 25 2025. Photo: Henry Fowler
Features / 29 August 2025
29 August 2025

Since 2023, Strike Map has evolved from digital mapping at a national level to organising ‘mega pickets’ — we believe that mass solidarity with localised disputes prepares the ground for future national action, writes HENRY FOWLER

Scottish Green Party's Ross Greer MSP at the 2023 Scottish Green Party Spring Conference at the Golden Jubilee Conference Centre in Clydebank, March 25, 2023
Scotland / 10 July 2025
10 July 2025
Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie during a visit to t
Britain / 2 April 2025
2 April 2025