AT the heart of the independence movement is a desire for change – to give the people of Scotland the opportunity to shape our future and transform our country for the better.

Right now, our movement is at a critical juncture in that journey to independence. We need to reflect, re-group and change our approach to adapt to the challenges ahead.

We need to view this change in exactly the same way as we view constitutional and political change for our country; as a positive opportunity to be grasped with all of our might.

The success of the SNP, as the largest party of independence, and that of the cause of independence are tightly interwoven. How the SNP move forward now will play a defining role in Scotland’s future for generations to come.

Nicola Sturgeon was exactly the right leader at the right time; but she didn’t stand down simply to replace personnel. In her view, we needed a fresh leader with a fresh approach, and I agree.

Therefore, the first question was not “who” should become the next SNP leader, but what kind of leader we need.

Given the challenges of moving forward to independence in this current political environment, first and foremost we need someone with proven political resilience and experience – because the task ahead is not going to be straightforward.

We need someone who can unify not just one political party, but a wider movement with a shared goal. They need to be a great communicator, but also a responsive listener too.

We also need a leader who can harness every single strength within the SNP and independence movement. No one person, on their own, can deliver independence for us. We need to do that collectively, and we need a leader who will provide those opportunities to do so. More than ever, we need to come together and create a prospectus for independence that inspires and reassures, that demonstrates that the rewards are worth the change.

Humza Yousaf is an ideal fit for the task ahead and that’s why I’ve joined his campaign team.

He has a breadth of experience within the party, as a grassroots campaigner from a young age to a senior member of the Scottish Government.

He’s taken on tough and diverse roles within government, including his international work and also one of the toughest gigs in government, as Scotland’s Health Secretary.

He has displayed the kind of personal and political resilience that few people in politics ever have to muster, and I have been in awe of how he has handled situations – that would make many others run for the hills – with dignity and determination. He knows the kind of onslaught he will face as SNP leader and as first minister, as he already deals with that on a daily basis. He is ready to hit the ground running.

Importantly, he gets the SNP and what needs to be done to empower all of our members and harness our collective talents and experiences across the party.

We need the structures of the party to be more member-focused, because our members are our party. Everything we do must be geared towards engaging and supporting more members to get involved in decision-making, in policy development and in campaigning. We don’t need eye-catching tick box initiatives; but a change in mindset and culture around the party works.

So much of the work to kickstart this process has already been done, not least with the governance review led by depute leader Keith Brown. The groundwork is there; we need a leader who will build on that and harness the passion and commitment of SNP members and the wider movement to deliver independence together. Humza is ready to do that.

Nicola’s resignation was a shock, there’s no doubt about that. But the SNP have never been, and will never be, about just one person. We must focus on the task ahead.

I believe Humza is the right leader, at the right time, for our party and our country.