Statement on resignation of Humza Yousaf

It’s been another tumultuous week at Holyrood as the SNP enter another phase of their lengthy psychodrama, leaving Scotland without a First Minister for the second time in two years.

As the SNP try to find a way forward, it’s notable that amongst all the tributes to Humza Yousaf, there have been few apologies to the Scottish people for inflicting more chaos, confusion and distraction from the bread and butter issues that actually matter to us.

Lib Dem Councillor Sally Pattle says, “despite now having to operate as a minority administration, there has been little attempt to restart cross party cooperative working. Instead, Stephen Flynn demonstrated the arrogance that has led to the current mess at Holyrood - entirely of the SNP's own making – when he demanded cross party working in the same sentence as calling all opposition parties 'petulant' on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. That is not the way to build bridges, but that's the only way the SNP know how to do things after so long stagnating in power.”

Holyrood was never set up to be controlled in the way the SNP has tried, and failed to do; and after 17 years in power it is clear that the SNP government’s priorities are not the people’s priorities.

People can’t get a doctor’s appointment or see an NHS dentist, our schools are tumbling down the international rankings and they have abandoned Scotland’s climate targets.

It’s clear that we need change of government at Westminster and Holyrood if any of these priorities are going to be tackled in a serious way, and that’s why the Scottish Liberal Democrats supported the Vote of No Confidence in the Scottish Government at Holyrood, and why we continue to call for a General Election now.