It’s a day that ends in ‘y’ which means hapless Humza Yousaf is once again having a tough time of it. After ditching the Green coalition and therefore his pro-independence majority in Holyrood, Yousaf left himself vulnerable to no confidence motions – and opposition parties haven’t let the opportunity pass them by. As Yousaf faces one vote in his leadership and another in his government, conversations about the tenability of his position have picked up pace. The SNP has now confirmed he will make a statement at midday today on his future. If hapless Humza decides his time is up, who’s next in line to replace him?

Kate Forbes

What comes around goes around. Hapless Humza’s one-time leadership rival finished in a close second place in last year’s leadership race – and speculation is mounting as to whether she’ll make a bid for the top job again. Forbes is hardly a secret sceptic of the current FM, blasting him during a rather unedifying leadership race last year for his record in government:

When you were a transport minister the trains were never on time. When you were justice minister the police were strained to breaking point. And now as health minister, we’ve got record high waiting times. What makes you think you can do a better job as first minister?

Ouch...

Forbes has already carved out a faction of supporters within the party, with the backing of prominent backbenchers including Fergus Ewing, Ivan McKee and Christine Grahame. This time she’s leaving nothing to chance, with her allies said to be studiously examining SNP rule books to avoid any kind of ‘stitch up’ that might leave the........

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