Humza Yousaf's First Ministership in Jeopardy, Says Former SNP Leader Alex Salmond Following By-Election Loss



In the wake of the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election defeat, former SNP leader Alex Salmond has issued a stark warning to current SNP leader Humza Yousaf, stating that Yousaf has only "days to save his first ministership."


The recent by-election saw the SNP falling far behind Scottish Labour, a result that UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has characterized as "seismic."


Despite maintaining their positions as frontrunners throughout the race, the SNP's Katy Loudon experienced a significant setback, with a swing of over 20% favoring Labour's Michael Shanks.


Alex Salmond, who currently leads the Alba Party and has been openly critical of the SNP since his departure in advance of the 2021 election, sought to apply immense pressure on Humza Yousaf, a man he had once appointed as a minister.


"(The result) is something that the SNP have been asking for," Salmond commented.


"The SNP waged an ineffectual campaign in an unnecessary by-election and were decisively defeated by Labour.


"I see that Humza says it's disappointing, but I don't believe that quite captures the magnitude of the challenge he now faces.


"In my estimation, Humza has only a matter of days to salvage his first ministership."