He may be the bookies’ favourite to become the new SNP leader but it appears Humza Yousaf still has work to do in his own constituency.
We hit the streets of Cardonald, in his Glasgow Pollok patch, on Wednesday to hear the thoughts of locals as Mr Yousaf edges closer to replacing Nicola Sturgeon.
Some were supportive and hailed the health secretary’s credentials for the top job, while others took aim at his decision to live nearly 100 miles away in Dundee.
But one factor is unmistakable – THAT nursery row has put him firmly in the spotlight.
The controversy saw Mr Yousaf and his wife sue Little Scholars in Broughty Ferry over claims it discriminated against their daughter’s application.
A complaint to the Care Inspectorate was partly upheld, but they dropped their legal action earlier this month.
Mixed opinions
“That’s good,” said 76-year-old Janet when she found out Mr Yousaf was her MSP.
“I like him. I think he’s a very honest man. Anything’s better than Nicola Sturgeon.”
But she said it was “ridiculous” he lived in Dundee.
Janet added: “How does he know what’s going on if he doesn’t stay here?”
Every voter we spoke to was aware of Mr Yousaf’s leadership bid.
But Janet was not the only constituent surprised to discover he’s the local MSP.
“No idea,” was the response from Linda, 71, when asked to name who represents her in Holyrood.
After the conversation moved on to Mr Yousaf, she added: “I think I did know he lived in Dundee, because did he not have trouble with his children in a nursery?
‘He can live wherever he likes’
“I don’t think that [his base] is too much of a bother.
“How many MPs live in London? If he can do the job it’s fine.”
Angela, 63, agreed, saying: “I think he can live wherever he likes. As long as he does his job that’s fine.”
David O’Rourke, 86, remembered Mr Yousaf’s “altercation with the nursery in Dundee”.
He added: “I would rather that the local MSP lived in the area in which I live.”
Mr Yousaf grew up in Glasgow and stayed in the city when he was first elected to Holyrood in 2011, before moving to the east coast city where he stays with his family.
He married wife Nadia El-Nakla in 2019. She was elected as a Dundee councillor for the SNP at last year’s local elections.
June Murray, 70, said: “If you’re not living in the area that you represent you lose contact with what presumably is his power base.”
“I don’t think it’s fair really,” 62-year-old Brian told us. “I think somebody in this area should be representing the area.”
Despite their concerns, Mr Yousaf has performed strongly in Glasgow Pollok and secured 53% of the vote when locals last went to the polls in 2021.
Turnout in the constituency is much lower than on average but it’s gone up every time residents have had a chance to cast their ballot for him.
Local anger
“He’s rubbish. He never did a thing for me,” said Caroline, 62, a former SNP voter.
“He’s not getting my vote. The SNP’s finished.”
Angela, 50, called the health secretary’s leadership bid “ridiculous”.
“I’m a Labour supporter, so I couldn’t care less,” was the response from Jim, 71, when asked for his view on Mr Yousaf’s credentials.
But that won’t necessarily matter for the SNP leadership frontrunner, since he only has to convince party members he is best-placed for the top job.
‘It really doesn’t matter’
John Gordon, 71, said: “Politicians get up to all sorts of things. It really doesn’t matter [where Mr Yousaf lives].
“Lots of things that politicians do bother me, but there’s f*** all I can do about it.
“The whole system needs scrapped and built back up, but wee John Gordon’s not going to do much about it.”
All eyes will be on Mr Yousaf’s campaign in the coming weeks as he tries to keep up his momentum to be crowned Scotland’s next first minister on March 27.
‘Fully committed to Glasgow’
A spokesperson for Mr Yousaf said: “Like many, Humza Yousaf is part of a blended family.
“He and his family made the decision to move to Dundee five years ago in the best interests of his wife, daughter, and step-daughter who was settled at school.
“Humza Yousaf has made no secret of this and remains fully committed to his Glasgow Pollok constituency.
“Like most MSPs, he is usually in his constituency every week, and often at weekends too.
“Regardless of Humza’s future roles, his time will continue to be split between Glasgow, Dundee, and Edinburgh.”
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