SCOTTISH Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and former minister Ash Regan have announced they will stand to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as first minister.
Both candidates announced their bids in the Sunday Mail with Yousaf saying he had been through a “rollercoaster of emotions” since Sturgeon announced her resignation.
He said: “You’ve got to put yourself forward if you think you’re the best person for the job. And I do. This is the top job in the country, and it needs somebody who has experience.”
The MSP had been mulling over the possibility of entering the contest after the First Minister announced her resignation on Wednesday.
Yousaf and Regan are the first candidates to officially declare their intention to stand.
Regan, who serves as the MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, quit as a minister in protest over the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.
In the Sunday Mail, she said: “We need to bring back unity, draw a line under certain things and move past them. I believe I am the person to do that.
A huge decision to make, but with the support & love of my family, I have decided to put myself forward as a candidate to become Scotland's next First Minister, and Leader of the SNP. See my video below for some of the reasons why I believe I am the right person for the job 👇 pic.twitter.com/aDbVUe568E
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 18, 2023
“The electorate expect the Scottish Government to focus on things that are important to them.
“That means the NHS which is still struggling to get back on its feet after the pandemic. People expect a first minister to concentrate on boosting the economy, creating jobs and helping them deal with the cost of living crisis.”
Following Sturgeon’s resignation, Regan has called for SNP members who left in the past year to be given a vote in the leadership race – a move described as “preposterous” by John Swinney, who has already ruled himself out of the race.
Elsewhere, actor and independence supporter Brian Cox has announced his support for Angus Robertson.
However, the Scottish Culture Secretary has yet to announce if he will make a bid for the leadership.
Candidates have until Friday to receive more than the threshold of 100 nominations from at least 20 local branches.
If more than one candidate passes that mark, an election will be triggered, culminating on March 27.
