HOLYROOD has witnessed history. Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar have reached distinguished political heights, but Humza Yousaf is unique as the first minority-ethnic Muslim leading a western democracy.

All can recognise that from the election of local councillors to the country’s highest office, racism has no place in Scotland’s politics.

I’m honoured to be Housing Minister and humbled by the responsibility of this crucial role in advancing a more equal Scotland. I’ve tried to contribute already, for example through the Scottish Housing with Care Taskforce.

Last year, Public Health Scotland demonstrated the inequalities resulting from poverty and the links between poor housing and poor mental and physical health, and many groups and organisations involved with housing have sent me their best wishes. These include Crisis Scotland, which works to end homelessness; those assisting refugees and asylum seekers; STAF (working with care-experienced young people); and Rural Housing Scotland, campaigning for affordable homes.

East Lothian shares their varied concerns: sky-rocketing private sector rents, proliferating short-lets and empty million-pound holiday homes co-existing alongside persisting pockets of severe deprivation.

Meanwhile, good-quality social and affordable housing, and countless homes maintained and enhanced over generations, support thousands of families building lives in this beautiful county which I’m privileged to serve.

As minister, my overall priority is engagement with those on the front line of delivering housing that makes Scotland more equal.

Housing policy mitigating and eradicating poverty, achieving far-reaching fairness in health and other outcomes will complement the work of the Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees.

The fundamental question for the new Independence Minister will be one that matters to Scotland: how would independence improve all our lives?

The 2021/22 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey showed 88 per cent thought it was ‘very important’ to vote in Holyrood elections, yet the World Values Survey shows that in the UK only 22 per cent have confidence in Parliament, a rating below that achieved by France, Germany, even Iran.

Humza Yousaf’s Government will work on behalf of the whole country. I will strive to merit your trust by prioritising fairness and equality in Scotland’s housing.