Humza Yousaf's first six months in the most important job in Scotland
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To mark the six months since Humza Yousaf was elected leader of the SNP and then First Minister we look back at some of the challenges he has faced from the A9 to healthcare to see whether, in that short space of time, he has managed to have an impact on the Highlands.
In one way the sixth month anniversary of Mr Yousaf’s time in Bute House could not have had worse timing because it coincided with an explosion of publicity – for SNP rebel Fergus Ewing.
In focussing attention on Mr Ewing and what he has been arguing for and against threw a very bright light on parts of Scottish Government policies that have sapped confidence in the SNP and their coalition partners the Greens.
He has also had to repeatedly weather allegations of being the “continuity candidate” after Nicola Sturgeon – that is something that would be hugely unwelcome in many parts of the Highlands because of ferries and the A9.
One way he has backed up his own claims that he will “be his own man” when in power is that he has visited the Highlands more times this year than Ms Sturgeon did in the last five years.
He has also made himself available to answer difficult questions from the media in the region and has recognised and apologised when things have gone wrong or have been wrong for a long time.
Part of that effort to come north stems from his wish for the government to be seen as less Central Belt-centric – something that will have to make its way into policy sooner rather than later to be effective.
Taking a look back at Mr Yousaf’s visits can be instructive about what Scotland’s First Minister wants for the north.
SNP Hustings, Eden Court Inverness – March
Mr Yousaf made at least three massive claims on policy-making, local government and public bodies.
The first was that “every single policy that comes through the government” is “rural-proofed” so the unintended consequences do not negatively impact places like the Highlands.
He also called for increased localisation, saying: “When it comes to public bodies and the creation of them – don’t just stick your offices in Glasgow or Edinburgh,” and instead make sure the “the head office is in those communities that are being affected by them.”
Finally, for local councils he promised a “new deal,” saying: “My deal for local government, that will be empowering our local authorities, looking at funding mechanisms, looking at ring fencing that exists.”
The Inverness Courier SNP Leadership Debate – March
Undoubtedly the main issue at was the A9 and he was unequivocal on the completion and admitted that not making more progress was "a failure," saying: "If I am First Minister the first thing I will do is sit down with my finance secretary who I will appoint and say this is the priority and the budget has to reflect this."
But that was not all and he addressed another big issue: "Poverty is the common thread of every inequality,” and in something that will resonate with Caithness residents: “We see health inequality, education inequality."
Opening of the Inverness Treatment Centre – June
The state of NHS Scotland is perhaps Mr Yousaf’s biggest single challenge in government – one that is becoming increasingly clear stretches back to before Covid into his predecessor’s time.
At the opening of the centre, Mr Yousaf said: “The Scottish Government is focused on reducing NHS backlogs built up over the course of the pandemic, and our investment in a network of National Treatment Centres (NTC) will provide significant additional capacity for orthopaedics, ophthalmic and diagnostic treatment."
But it has not succeeded leading Labour leader Anas Sarwar to ask him this week if he will take responsibility for a “lost decade on the SNP’s watch” that resulted in “avoidable and unnecessary deaths”.
Special Needs Action Project (SNAP), Inverness and Loch Ness – July
Known as one of the finest groups of its kind in the north, SNAP hosted the First Minister. It didn’t take long for him to realise why after gamely playing with the kids.
“I can see from just spending an hour here,” he said. “Not just the close bond but the love that there is between those who work at SNAP and the children who come here – it is astonishing and what they have managed to achieve as a result of that is really heart-warming.”
Afterwards he spoke exclusively to the Inverness Courier, again the First Minister was unequivocal about the dualling programme.
He said: “And we're going to have to make progress on the A9, there are no ifs or buts about it, we cannot go another year, two years, three years without there being progress on the A9 – it would be unforgivable.”
The Memorial Service for Winnie Ewing – July
Speaking before the service Mr Yousaf spoke about Madame Ecosse’ ability to speak across political lines and win respect – something he feels should be emulated more in Scotland.
“Winnie Ewing was a colossus of our movement. Frankly she's immortalised in our party and in our movement, and in the country,” he said.
“It's great as there are people here from right across the political spectrum. People here who are non-political apolitical and she touched many, many lives whether it's from her time as an MP, as an MEP or as an MSP.
However, as mentioned earlier, he was unable to persuade Mrs Ewing’s own son Fergus to tow the party line on Lorna Slater. Here he met someone implacably opposed to policies from the Greens.
This is an area of extreme political sensitivity for the Scottish Government because as one SNP for over 50 years said: “He is not just anyone – he is a Ewing” and the risk is that any action against him tarnishes the independence movement.
Opening of the Inverness Treatment Centre – June
The state of NHS Scotland is perhaps Mr Yousaf’s biggest single challenge in government – one that is becoming increasingly clear stretches back to before Covid into his predecessor’s time.
At the opening of the centre, Mr Yousaf said: “The Scottish Government is focused on reducing NHS backlogs built up over the course of the pandemic, and our investment in a network of National Treatment Centres (NTC) will provide significant additional capacity for orthopaedics, ophthalmic and diagnostic treatment."
But it has not succeeded leading Labour leader Anas Sarwar to ask him this week if he will take responsibility for a “lost decade on the SNP’s watch” that resulted in “avoidable and unnecessary deaths”.
One personal observation
Politicians' talents come in many different forms. They can be dilligent workaholics like Nicola Sturgeon or gregarious big picture extroverts like Alex Salmond.
Mr Yousaf has one that makes him sound unfairly bland – he is likeable. People warm to him as can be seen on some of his visits not just to the Highlands but the rest of Scotland.
It is not an inconsiderable quality in a politician. Many politicians feel they are charming, intelligent and engaging when it is not so. In fact it is not a well distributed a quality.
Based on several meetings this reporter has had with the First Minister he has always been unfailingly respectful, focussed and engaged. He is more likely to deal with challenging questions with patient argument rather hostile responses.
There is one big question remaining: can this reasonable man make good on his promises, or will the political legacy he has inherited prove too much?
