SNP rebels have issued a warning to Humza Yousaf, stating that he will face a revolt by Christmas if he doesn’t make significant changes to the party following their embarrassing by-election defeat. Frustrated party members are calling for a shift in focus towards addressing the cost of living crisis instead of prioritizing independence and green policies. They believe that a Cabinet reshuffle is necessary to remove ineffective members. Yousaf is advised to form a “peace deal” with former rival Kate Forbes and appoint her as his deputy to stabilize the party. The rebels’ plans follow a pollster’s prediction that if the SNP were to replicate the Rutherglen result in the next general election, they would go from 48 to just six seats. Fergus Ewing, an outspoken rebel MSP, has given Yousaf two months to prove his capability to lead the party. Ewing warns that trust has been lost and major changes are needed immediately. If Yousaf fails to act, the future success of the SNP in elections is at risk. Some insiders suggest that a “mutiny” could occur if Yousaf doesn’t change course soon. Others believe that Yousaf should drop his motion for independence negotiations following the Rutherglen defeat. The article speculates that Yousaf could potentially prevent a leadership challenge by appointing Forbes as Deputy First Minister, although her friends have declined to comment. Ewing lists three reasons for the SNP’s downfall: lost trust, unfulfilled promises, and policies that don’t align with society. He criticizes the association with the Greens and states that the SNP needs to prioritize delivering on infrastructure promises. He also argues that the party’s policies are punitive rather than helpful or supportive of the people. Yousaf admits to the disappointing night for the SNP but attributes some difficulties to the context of the by-election.

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