Achi news desk-
Here are some of the key points from the press conference.
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The Prime Minister said he was ‘terminating’ the deal
The language from both sides has been heated at times after the deal was scrapped, with Mr Yousaf saying he told Scottish Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater he was “ending ” the agreement.
He said: “Following a discussion with my Cabinet this morning, I have formally informed Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater that I am terminating the Bute House Agreement with immediate effect.”
The SNP will now lead as a minority Government
The Prime Minister admitted that operating as a minority Government would be “difficult”.
He said: “We will try to work not only with the Scottish Greens, but with MLAs from across the chamber.
“The SNP have of course governed as a minority for most of our time in office.”
Yousaf said the deal had ‘fulfilled its purpose’
The First Minister said the agreement, signed by the SNP and the Scottish Greens in 2021, “undoubtedly brought a number of successes”.
He added: “My view now is that the balance has changed. The Bute House Agreement was intended to give stability to the Scottish Government, and has made a number of successes possible. But it has served its purpose.
“It no longer guarantees a stable arrangement in Parliament. The events of the last few days have made that clear.
“Therefore, after careful consideration, I believe that moving forward, it is in the best interests of the people of Scotland to pursue a different arrangement.”
The First Minister believes that dropping the deal marks a ‘new beginning’
Mr Yousaf said the SNP will now “increase its ambition”.
He said: “The SNP needs the freedom and flexibility to ensure we move Scotland forward and adapt to that changing world.
“We need to speak to the country with one voice, our voice, and as such I am clear that today marks a new beginning for the SNP Government.”
Yousaf denied that he was weak
The Prime Minister, who had praised the Bute House Agreement earlier this week, faced several questions from journalists about whether ending the agreement made him appear “weak” – but insisted that is not the case. true
When asked if he is, as the Scottish Greens claim, “weak and hopeless”, Mr Yousaf said: “On the contrary the opposite. It shows leadership.”
He insisted that he is not going to give up
Mr Yousaf was also questioned as to whether he was “heading for the exit door”, but was adamant that he was staying put.
When asked: “Isn’t it clear that you are a lame duck leader who is basically heading for the exit?”, he replied: “No, not at all. This is leadership. This is the ability to say that we are taking control as a party and indeed as a Government.”
