The election of a first minister represents an important milestone for any country of the UK. But Humza Yousaf’s elevation is even more historic. The SNP leader is set to be the first Muslim to head a Western European nation.
His win was narrower than many expected, by 52 to 48 per cent after second preferences. And while Yousaf — the favoured candidate of Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP establishment — is likely to continue the policies of his predecessor, few politicians combine Sturgeon’s political, communication and leadership skills. Yousaf will not have it all his own way.
He comes to power ahead of the 16th anniversary of his party taking power in Holyrood, at a time when half of Scots believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, according to a recent Ipsos poll.
There are implications too for UK politics. Polling expert Sir John Curtice notes that 10 SNP seats could fall to Labour at the next general election. This would take Sir Keir Starmer closer to power. Yousaf’s victory will also inevitably have implications for the union. For if even the popular Sturgeon could not make Scottish independence a reality, what chance does her successor have?
Forgotten students
The Government has announced £42 million of Local Needs Funding for 24 areas containing high levels of disadvantaged pupils. Astonishingly, not a single London borough has received a penny.
The capital is home to some of the best schools in the country, with standards driven up over the decades thanks to schemes such as the London Challenge. But amid soaring inflation, our city is also home to the highest cost of living in the country and deep pockets of deprivation. To not receive any funding for an avowedly anti-poverty programme strongly suggests that levelling-down remains part of this Government’s agenda.
Londoners are far from opposed to funding schools in all parts of the country but we ought to be supporting students on the basis of need, not postcode.
The Superloop is here
If nothing else, the ‘Superloop’ is a tremendous name — this network of buses to connect the capital’s suburbs was unveiled by the Mayor today. Comprised of existing services and new orbital routes, it could link town centres in the outer London suburbs such as Harrow and North Finchley as well as Bexleyheath, Bromley and Croydon.
It is part of a £6 million investment by Sadiq Khan to coincide with the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone, to give Londoners living in outer zones greater public transport options. Khan has already pledged to provide a further one million kilometres of additional bus services in outer London, though this adds less than one per cent to the total mileage of the capital’s 700 routes.
Nevertheless, for public transport fans in the capital, it means more exciting maps. A classic win-win.
