Scottish Prime Minister Humza Yousaf’s position is wavering after coalition blows over climate goals

The coalition of Scottish nationalists and The Greens has split as the latter were furious over Yousaf’s watering down of climate targets. The Scottish Government is no longer aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 75 per cent by 2030.

Yousaf thus distances himself from the coalition agreement drawn up a year ago by his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon. The Greens are also dissatisfied with the decision to stop the use of puberty blockers, a response to the devastating transgender report by British pediatrician Hilary Cass.

Minority government

This split means the SNP forms a minority government. The party is one vote short of being able to govern alone. The Scottish Conservatives will now table a motion of no confidence against the 39-year-old Prime Minister. This will receive support from the opposition parties, including The Greens.

Much will depend on Ash Regan, the nationalist who left the SNP last year for Alba, the nationalist party of former SNP leader Alex Salmond. If Regan, Alba’s only representative, votes against the motion, the votes will be tied and the Speaker of the House will cast the deciding vote. Normally this supports the status quo.

Regan was one of the candidates in the leadership election won by Yousaf early last year. This election was necessary at the time after the fall of Sturgeon, who had gotten into trouble due to transgender legislation and a fraud case. Last week it was announced that her husband is being prosecuted for allegedly embezzling money from the party as head of the SNP.

Scottish independence

Sturgeon is also involved in this case. Yousaf promised to continue her policies, but the fraud affair casts a long shadow over the party. The SNP is in danger of losing seats in the parliamentary elections later this year.

Next week, the Scottish Labor Party will also table a vote of confidence, but Alba’s Ash Regan is unlikely to support it. The dwindling chance of Scottish independence will be on hold for the time being if the SNP loses power. Regan wants to use her key position to change the course of her old party. She is demanding good governance and a U-turn on the SNP’s progressive transgender policy. Regan, a feminist, is known for being gender critical. In turn, The Greens want the SNP to return to its original climate targets.