Humza Yousaf is currently the Scottish Health Secretary and one of the SNP’s most senior and high-profile ministers.
The 37-year-old’s decision to run in the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon came after “careful consideration” of the impact it will have on his family.
He will hope to tap into the same base of activist support as the First Minister, particularly in Glasgow – which they both represent at Holyrood.
Writing in the Sunday Mail, the Health Secretary 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.”
Here are some key facts about Mr Yousaf:
– How he started in politics
After studying politics at Glasgow University, Mr Yousaf began working as an office manager for the SNP’s Bashir Ahmad, the first MSP from an Asian and Muslim background.
Following Mr Ahmad’s death in 2009, Mr Yousaf went on to work for other MSPs including Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.
– Entering Holyrood
After being elected in 2011 as a Glasgow region MSP, he took his oath to the Queen in English and in Urdu.
He did the same when re-elected in 2016, wearing both a kilt and sherwani to reflect his Scottish and Pakistani heritage.
His father, who is from Pakistan, and his mother, from Kenya, moved to the UK in the 1960s.
– Early ministerial roles
Mr Yousaf’s first ministerial appointment came under Mr Salmond’s leadership in September 2012, when he became minister for external affairs and international development.
He stayed on in a junior ministerial role when Ms Sturgeon became First Minister, though he was then promoted to the transport portfolio and later justice.
But his introduction of the Hate Crime Bill while justice secretary was not uncontroversial, with critics saying it put undue limits on free speech.
– Health Secretary
Perhaps his greatest challenge has come as Health Secretary, with Mr Yousaf taking over the post from Jeane Freeman in 2021 as she stood down from Holyrood.
The coronavirus pandemic was still affecting Scotland at that point.
He revealed that the first call he received after being made Health Secretary was from his mother, who was keen to find out what job he had been given in the Cabinet reshuffle.
Upon being told he had been given the health portfolio, she said: “What have you done to annoy Nicola?”
Throughout his time in the role, he has faced opposition attacks over the performance of the NHS, particularly A&E waiting times.
This hit a nadir in December 2022, when performance against the four-hour target for admission, transfer or discharge fell to just 62%.
Mr Yousaf has always emphasised the impact of the pandemic on the health service and the support being provided by the Scottish Government.
– Sturgeon ally
Mr Yousaf has stood by Ms Sturgeon throughout his time as a minister and MSP.
On the issue of gender recognition reform, which has seen rare divisions emerge in the SNP, there is no indication he would take a different tack.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel