THE SNP’s deputy Westminster leader has endorsed Humza Yousaf in the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader.
Mhairi Black, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, said Yousaf was the only candidate that would take the “fight directly to Westminster” over its decision to veto gender legislation that was passed by Holyrood.
The current Scottish Health Secretary is up against Kate Forbes and Ash Regan in the leadership race with a poll in The Sunday Times suggesting Forbes is the preferred candidate.
Black, who previously accused Forbes of “intolerance” based on her stance on equal marriage, said the “concrete commitment” from Yousaf to challenge the use of Section 35 powers to block Holyrood legislation was important for keeping the pro-independence majority at Holyrood.
She said: “He is the only candidate willing to take the fight directly to Westminster and stand up for our Scottish Parliament’s democratic right to legislate free from Westminster interference.
“Having listened to the early stages of the leadership campaign it is already clear to me that Humza is the only candidate that can take our party and our country forward.
“His vision of a progressive and fairer independent Scotland is one which I share.”
The MP added that Yousaf “understand the challenges the party faces, particularly internally, and is not afraid to rise to those challenges”.
As well as understanding the “need for internal reform”, she said Yousaf’s plans to “listen to, unite, and refocus our membership in driving up support for independence are exactly what I want to hear.”
This comes after it was revealed up a network of paid SNP organisers across Scotland to ramp up independence campaigning should Yousaf be made the first minister.
Black continued: “Humza has the plan to make economic and social progress in our country – tackling the Tory cost of living crisis head on which is hurting working families the length and breadth of Scotland.
“Humza has the skills, experience, and resilience needed to lead and I look forward to helping him take that message to our membership in the coming weeks.”
Reacting to news of Black’s endorsement, Yousaf said he was “thrilled”, describing her as a “popular and highly respected figure in the SNP and across Scotland”.
He said: “Like me, Mhairi has a record of standing up for equality and social progress. I am glad she shares my vision for building the team in Government, and across the party, to take us on to independence.
“Mhairi understands, like me, that the SNP must earn our support, rather than simply expect it.
“As SNP leader and Scotland’s first minister, I will be looking to work with people like Mhairi to inspire our membership and the people of Scotland to get behind our vision for a progressive and inclusive independent Scotland.”
