Under-pressure Scottish leader cancels major speech as confidence vote in his government looms
Scotland’s leader has cancelled a speech as he fights for his political life in the wake of his decision to pull the plug on a three-year power-sharing agreement
LONDON (AP) — Scotland's leader cancelled a speech Friday as he fights for his political life in the wake of his decision to pull the plug on a three-year power-sharing agreement, a move that has exposed the government to peril.
First Minister Humza Yousaf of the Scottish National Party was due to deliver a major speech on Scotland's independence from the U.K., but that has been cancelled following the furor surrounding his decision to tear up the power-sharing deal with the much smaller Greens on Thursday.
Without the support of the Greens, the SNP is two seats shy of a majority of lawmakers in the Scottish Parliament, meaning it can only get legislation and its budget through with the support of other parties. Although Scotland is part of the U.K., its government has widespread powers, including over health and education, as well as some limited powers over the raising of revenues.
On Friday, Scottish Labour, which is connected to the U.K.'s main opposition Labour Party, said it wants to lodgea vote of no confidence in the Scottish government next week.
