Yousaf Elected SNP Leader, Will Succeed Sturgeon As First Minister

Corrected with vote share figures-Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has been elected as the next leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP), and will succeed the outgoing Nicola Sturgeon as first minister later in the week. He won with 52.1% of the second round vote, defeating Finance Minister Kate Forbes and MSP Ash Regan.

• Yousaf: First Pref: 24,336, 48.2%, Second Second Pref: 26,032, 52.1%
• Forbes: First Pref: 20,559 40.7%, Second Pref 23,890, 47.9%
• Regan: First Pref: 5,599 11.1%
• Yousaf was the strong favourite to win the SNP leadership, having garnered support from a number of senior party figures over the course of the contest. He is seen as a 'continuity Sturgeon' candidate, having voiced his support for her sometimes controversial progressive social and economic policies.
• The contest has exposed some notable divisions within the SNP, both with regards to policy but also the party's organisation. SNP Chief Executive Peter Murrell resigned during the course of the contest following revelations that the party's membership was 30k lower than it had previously claimed, with Forbes and Regan questioning the integrity of the contest.