THE appointment of Humza Yousaf as First Minister last week was a significant moment in the history of both Glasgow and Scotland.

A proud Glaswegian, the new First Minister has grown up in this city and knows its communities and its people as his own.

The son of immigrants, Humza also becomes the first person of colour – and the first Muslim – to hold Scotland’s highest political office.

In doing so he symbolises the diverse and outward-looking city which Glasgow has become in recent decades.

He also symbolises a modern and progressive Scotland, a nation committed to upholding the rights and freedoms of all its citizens. That’s something to celebrate.

And as the new leader of my party, the SNP, I know we have someone who will defend to the hilt the democratic right of Scots to make their own decisions.

I’m really excited about working with Humza to deliver for our city.

Having represented the people of Pollok for seven years now, he not only recognises the deep needs of Glaswegians but knows first-hand the enormous spirit, ingenuity and capacity within our communities to do great things for each other.

It’s our task now to unlock the power within those communities and progress the great work we’ve done already.

Humza takes the reins during some of the most difficult times Scotland has faced in generations.

Rampant inflation, a crippling cost-of-living crisis and Tory mismanagement of the UK’s finances, the long shadow of Covid, the realities of Brexit hitting home, and the impact of 13 years of austerity are just some of the issues in his in-tray.

It will, of course, have been an incredibly busy first week.

Within that though the First Minister has found some time to speak with me about our shared agendas and his intention to build on the solid partnership work his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon helped deliver.

Whether that’s record numbers of affordable homes, the expansion of free early learning and childcare, the roll-out of free school meals or the role councils play in delivering assistance such as the Scottish Welfare Fund, there’s so much positive work making real differences to people’s lives that we can and must advance.

One of the first meetings at his official residence at Bute House was with Shona Morrison, president of Cosla, the body representing all of Scotland’s 32 local authorities.

Too often, it can seem that the only time local government makes its way onto the national political agenda is when it comes around to the often-fraught discussions and decisions on the funding of councils. But in engaging face-to-face with local government leadership just days after becoming First Minister, Humza has set a tone to take forward.

It recognises not just the role of councils in addressing many frontline challenges but also the critical importance of local government in making Scotland a fairer, more economically prosperous and environmentally sustainable nation. During his leadership campaign he was the only candidate with a vision for what the Scottish Government can do to improve local government, proposing a new deal for councils which could equip them with the levers required to better deliver the social, economic and environmental gains for our local communities – and for Scotland. I’m keen to progress that conversation with the First Minister about what we can do together to improve Glasgow and the work of the council.

Our city is ideally placed to maximise the opportunities which would flow from a new deal.

Whether that’s having the powers to deal with immediate and visible challenges such as empty retail and office properties in the city centre to seizing the opportunities for investment across the wider city region, Glasgow has the plans and the track record to deliver.

And we also know that if Scotland is to address those major issues we face in the years ahead – from the climate crisis to delivering inclusive growth and improving productivity, right through to continuing to make the compelling case for independence – it can only be done through the lead of its biggest city. I’m also delighted to see Humza has assembled a team which recognises the challenges and potential of Scotland’s councils.

And also that local government sits within the portfolio of the new Deputy First Minister, Shona Robison.

Given the inextricable link between finance and local government, it makes complete sense for these remits to go together. But more importantly, I know Shona to be passionate about fighting against poverty and supporting communities.

And with Joe FitzPatrick as local government minister, there’s a former councillor with an instinctive sympathy for the role of local government in supporting citizens at the top table.

Humza has a hard act to follow. His predecessor put in what was by any standards an extraordinary stretch of public service and showed tireless leadership during exceptional circumstances.

But I know our new First Minister has the drive, the commitment and the vision to deliver for Glasgow and for Scotland.