Scotland

Main article: UK

2023

Humza Yousaf, the first Muslim in the post, chosen as first minister

This week, Scottish MPs chose a new first minister: Humza Yousaf, the first member of the ethnic minority and the first Muslim in the post, became one.

Yousaf is called a left-wing politician and is expected to largely continue the cause of former Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Speaking to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who congratulated the newly elected official on his appointment, Yousaf has already raised the possibility of a second independence referendum.

The head of the British government evasively proposed postponing the discussion of this problem so as not to be distracted "from completing tasks that are a priority for the people of Scotland."

Earlier, the new head of the ruling Scottish National Party noted that perhaps it would be more useful for the country if Sturgeon at one time supported the idea of ​ ​ independence more restrained and paid more attention to other problems.

In turn, he announced the priority areas of his activities in the new post: "Combating poverty, improving the quality of public services and creating a fairer and greener economy."

According to his own statements, Yousaf is not going to make radical changes in Scottish politics, which is what made him the favourite of the election race from the very beginning.

Nevertheless, some social groups express serious dissatisfaction with Yousaf's rise to power. Extreme conservatives disapprove of the appointment of an ethnic Muslim to a key public office, and Muslims, in turn, condemn the views of a politician who advocates for the rights of the LGBT community.

It was not easy for the new prime minister to choose candidates for the cabinet: the race for the post of head of government and significant differences in the candidates' election programs left the Scottish National Party virtually split.

To his main rival, Keith Forbes, he proposed a demotion in the new cabinet from the position of Minister of Finance to Minister for Village, Land Reform and Islands, which she refused. Still, Forbes promised Yousaf her "full support."

Through similar methods, Yousaf has significantly revamped the composition of an administration that now consists mostly of politicians under 40, most of them women.

Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon's resignation

On February 15, 2023, First Minister and Leader of the National Party of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon announced that she was resigning. At the same time, the politician will remain in office until a successor is elected.

Recently, the name Sturgeon has been associated with a series of scandals.

In 2017, supporters donated around £600,000 to the Scottish National Party to campaign for Scottish independence.

Later it became known that only 96,854 pounds remained on the account of the SNP. Representatives of the party admitted that they spent only 57 thousand pounds on the campaign. The SNP's chief executive and Sturgeon's part-time husband, Peter Murrell, is responsible for party spending.

Asked about missing finances after her resignation letter at a press conference, Sturgeon declined to answer.

Sturgeon's government has been heavily criticised for lobbying for legislation that should have allowed teenagers to change gender at 16.

The prime minister was under substantial pressure over gender policies that led to a transgender rapist almost ending up in a women's prison.

Scottish discontent over the issue reflects a recent survey that found 76% of respondents believed the gender identity law posed a direct danger to women.

In connection with this story, the British Parliament for the first time exercised the right to block the Scottish regulatory act.

After gender scandals, Nicola Sturgeon's approval rating began to decline significantly.

In her farewell speech, she focused on the intention to devote more time to her personal life.

2022: Scotland leads Europe in drug deaths

In 2022, 1,051 people died as a result of drug abuse in Scotland. In terms of mortality from prohibited substances, this country is the leader among all European states, as reported in mid-August 2023. Read more here.