A former SNP MP has warned “the last thing Holyrood needs is more 20-something career politicians” as the party prepares for a series of gruelling selection contests.
Joanna Cherry spoke out after Humza Yousaf announced yesterday it was time for him to “make way for the next generation” – despite being aged just 39.
The former first minister said he was stepping back from frontline politics and would not stand at the next Holyrood election. “Come 2026, I will have been an elected member for 15 years,” he said.
“I think the time is right for me to step down, to step away from frontline politics and make way for the next generation of elected members.”
Responding to Yousaf’s comments about the “next generation”, Cherry said: “With all due respect to Humza, whom I wish well, the last thing Holyrood needs is more 20-something career politicians who have never had a proper job outside politics.”
Yousaf was repeatedly accused by rivals of “failing upwards” after becoming First Minister in 2023 following stints in charge of the transport, justice and health briefs.
The Glasgow MSP Yousaf joined the SNP in his late teens and became late MSP Bashir Ahmad’s assistant in 2007, before joining Alex Salmond’s office as an aide in 2009.
Yousaf became an MSP in 2011 and took on the role of external affairs minister a year later.
Cherry was one of dozens of SNP MPs who lost their seats at the UK general election in July, which saw the party win in just nine constituencies.
The KC has since announced she will now focus on her legal career and has ruled out standing for Holyrood.
Cherry told the Record the SNP needed “more people who have experience beyond politics – whether it’s in business, the professions, the NHS, or public services”.
She added: “I don’t think it’s healthy to have so many politicians who have never had a proper job outside of politics and have very little real life experience.”
The SNP is preparing for what could be a gruelling round of selection contests next year.
With many former MPs eyeing a return to frontline politics, there is expected to be fierce competition to become a candidate in 2026.
It come after MSPs last night banned political double jobbing in the wake of the row over SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn trying to flit to Holyrood.
MPs will now be disqualified from serving at the Scottish Parliament and Westminster at the same time.
Flynn, the MP for Aberdeen South, sparked a huge backlash when he said he wanted to stand for Holyrood in 2026.
His plan, which was condemned by party critics, involved toppling sitting MSP Audrey Nicoll and sitting in both parliaments. He later u-turned on his double jobbing plan.
In a further blow for Flynn’s Holyrood ambitions, it emerged during the Holyrood debate that the SNP had banned MPs from standing for Holyrood in 18 months’ time unless they first resign their Westminster seat. The decision was revealed by SNP Minister Jamie Hepburn.
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