Kate Forbes: Humza Yousaf’s compassion is vital to our vision of indy

There have undoubtedly been difficulties, and I’m not going to document them here. In fact, there is little to gain in admitting that the SNP have had a challenging year, although most of the issues have been far outwith the First Minister’s control.

What I think is far more interesting for the purposes of this column is commending the First Minister’s personal attributes as an excellent foundation for the vision for independence, and how we must build on that foundation as a matter of urgency.

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Whilst arguments, evidence and answers are all required to persuade people to support independence, trust in a leader is just as essential. And therefore analysing the values and attributes that our leaders possess really matters.

You see, the test of a good first minister is not whether challenges exist or not, but how they respond. Whatever the circumstances and wherever we are on the path to independence, there are going to be horrendously difficult and thorny situations to grapple with.

Every first minister in Scotland’s 25 years of devolution have seen highs and lows – we just forget quite easily. Their handling of situations will pass, but their underlying values and attributes should last. And that is all the more important when persuading people that a better, fairer future is possible.

You can judge a national leader on two fronts – their political self and their personal self. Too often the media and voters judge a leader purely on account of their politics – political judgements, ability to win and how well they navigate the cut and thrust of public life.

That is certainly essential, and without those any party is ultimately doomed. But focusing exclusively on these strengths risks ignoring greater strengths – integrity, compassion, service. And nearly always, these attributes rise to the surface under the greatest of pressures.

And, in many of the difficult situations he’s faced this year, Yousaf has responded with characteristic warmth and care for others, his loyalty and commitment to the cause of independence and his self-evident pride in his role.

Time and again, Yousaf has channelled the pressure of the moment into compassion. I’d say that’s because it’s typical of him; in other words, it’s not forced for the audience or the cameras. As I reviewed all my WhatsApp conversations in preparation for the Covid inquiry, it struck me how often he had reached out to encourage or commiserate with Cabinet colleagues.

I know he still takes that approach, from speaking to members of his current Cabinet. In the busyness of the role, it would be easy to focus on self – to the detriment of others’ worries or burdens. It’s a rare quality in a leader.

Beyond the political bubble, take his response to the woman who heckled him at the Independence Convention, when he bounded off the stage to speak directly to her. His confidence and immediacy in responding suggested to me that it was a characteristic response, not choreographed or scripted.

We regularly hear of failures of justice, care and duty across society – whether that is evil criminals, despicable abusers or exploitative leaders. It can be easy to become unsympathetic or deaf to the pain and worry of individuals.

A leader that can listen and care is a rare thing. I still think the stand-out moment of Yousaf’s year was his visit to the synagogue last October.

Politicians are used to visiting different environments and meeting people in the most horrendous straits. But the First Minister’s hug of Bernard Cowan’s mother was everything I’d hope to see in a national leader.

And it elevated Scotland on a national stage – whilst the world was reeling from the news of the terrorist atrocities in Israel, Scotland’s first Muslim First Minister embraced the mother of an Israeli victim in a Jewish place of worship.

Surely that is the image that Scotland wants to portray on the global stage – whether they are pro-independence or pro-Union, whether they vote for the SNP or other parties. That is why Yousaf was commended by members of other parties in the Parliament. Every citizen wants a reason to take pride in our leaders because they become emblematic of our nation.

To be first minister clearly calls on a personal depth of resilience, determination and sacrifice that few ever experience in their careers. And yet, that isn’t the only role a first minister will have.

In Yousaf’s case, he is also a husband, father and son. To balance all of these roles must take superhuman strength, especially when you’ve got a young child, your wife’s family are in grave danger and you’ve got another child on the way.

A lot of people in Scotland will know the overwhelming feeling of balancing the impossible demands of life – and it helps enormously to have a First Minister who isn’t immune to conflicting and constant demands.

I recall an early conversation with Yousaf shortly after he was appointed. I was due to return formally to work after maternity leave – not that the last two months of maternity leave had been particularly normal! He made clear his aspiration to make the role of government minister as family-friendly as possible.

He had already led by example in his previous role. I remember on at least one occasion his young daughter running up to him as he gave a presentation to the Scottish Government Cabinet virtually. Whilst he apologised for any interruption, he didn’t appear embarrassed or worried about the interruption.

That matters for the rest of us, who are juggling lots of balls – most of which crash on the floor regularly! There are several podcasts I’m on which have the sounds of toddler chatter in the background.

So why does any of that matter for independence? Well, the qualities of compassion and care are surely the threads that run through the tapestry of our vision for independence.

Our leaders need to be grounded in the realities of families and households’ real experiences of Scotland in order to deliver against their priorities. And the first minister of the day becomes emblematic of our nation – what they display and portray informs the international view of Scotland.

Now is the time, in the run-up to the next election, to build on that strategically and carefully with a big vision to inspire and enthuse. We need to believe that change is possible, that independence is within reach and that we can truly join the international family of nations.

To do that, we must reach voters who have voted for the SNP before, and those who are yet to be persuaded to vote for us and for independence.

They have heard our arguments and rhetoric before, so we need a persuasive case that evidences how our nation can indeed see more prosperity, less poverty and better public services.

The best way to do that is through competent government, to deliver against the people’s priorities. They want their children to be the best educated on the planet, their economy to pay fair wages for secure employment and their health service (free at the point of use) to run as well as any health service.

That vision can flow from the character and values displayed by Humza Yousaf in his first year – with real focus, grasp of realities and willingness to work together.