Humza Yousaf

I've lived my whole life as a minority in this country, and my rights don't exist in a vacuum. My rights are completely interdependent on everybody else's rights and if they are attacking the rights of our trans community or anybody who is in a marginalized minority community, then they'll come for me next.

The truth is that the Scottish Labour party within an independent Scotland will be allowed to flourish; no longer constrained by having to walk on eggshells in fear of causing embarrassment to London colleagues or the party leadership by way of contradiction.

The effects of independence will no doubt go beyond the borders of Scotland. An independent Scotland where both main parties are progressive, social democrats could help to realign the English political landscape.

As uncomfortable as this may be for some, the truth is that an independent Scotland can only benefit from both a Labour party true to its own roots and a strong, progressive SNP.

Independence is much bigger than the SNP, than Alex Salmond, David Cameron or Ed Miliband.

Like all men, I have had to reflect on my own behaviour and language over the years. Without doubt, in my younger years I will have told a misogynistic joke at the expense of women, or not challenged behaviour that was demeaning to women.

As first minister, I want Scotland also to lead on tackling one of the root causes of gender-based abuse - toxic masculinity - to build a healthier, safer and more equal society.

Scotland has shown global leadership on a range of issues, such as the climate emergency.

I remember the feeling of bewilderment the first time my older sister told me how tightly she grips her keys in her pocket if she is walking alone in the dark. Bewilderment, because as men we just don't have to think that way.

If we end up lurching to the right, we lose vast swathes of support... and I believe it's very possible we will not be electable.

I'm very much my own person.

If we can demonstrate that independence has a consistent majority - not 52% one day, 48% the other day - then it'll be impossible for the U.K. government to continue and continue and continue to deny.

I know a thing or two about people in Scotland, having knocked on as many doors as I have, and they don't like people taking them for granted.

Divided parties just don't win elections.

I'm unequivocal about my belief in the rights of our marginalized communities, including our trans community, because I'm a minority myself.

The far right want Muslims to leave Europe - to, in their words, 'go back home.' However, we have no home other than the countries we were born in, live, raise our children, work, pay our taxes to and contribute to.

I had the great honour and privilege of being the first Muslim leader of any western democracy, and yet it is increasingly difficult to persuade fellow Muslims that Europe does not have a problem with our very existence.

I am, proudly, a western Muslim.

While many in the world rightly bemoan the rise of populism, few are willing to confront the fact that it is the hatred of Muslims that is driving populism in Europe and the west.

I've got no doubt at all, that I will be the leader that will ensure that Scotland becomes an independent nation.

You want to be able to get your budget through, you want to be able to get your legislative agenda through, you don't want frustrated at every single corner and every single turn.

What you want is a government, particularly if you're coming in fresh as a new government, you want stability.

We would never prop up a Conservative government, ever. And underline that and put that in bold. But of course if Labour do not want to cooperate with us then we would make life very difficult for them.

What we have to do is create the political conditions that are such that the Westminster political parties cannot deny Scotland's voice.

If the SNP is not winning, then the independence cause isn't either.

I've thought to myself, 'goodness, is there more that I can take personally' because I also come under a tremendous amount of abuse online and, unfortunately, sometimes face to face.

I certainly know how it feels to be judged by people around you simply for what you are - or what you look like, and not for what you do. I have faced that my whole life. And sometimes, I had people questioning my loyalty to the only country that I have ever called home.

Whether we are independent or not, I will use every single day to try and make Scotland a better country, a more equal country.

There is simply no doubt in my mind that the Conservative party is not just riddled with Islamophobia, but institutionally Islamophobic.

First and foremost, can I say that I stand in full solidarity with Diane Abbott - she has been a trailblazer for many years. We may have our differences on particular issues, but I stand full square behind and alongside Diane Abbott.

We must unite against hatred wherever we see it - no matter the perpetrator or the victim.

You've got to of course create jobs, you've got to increase the tax base, but progressive taxation those limited powers that we have, we have to make sure we're using them to their absolute maximum.

It doesn't matter where you come from, what matters is where we're going as a nation. You can be Pakistani-Scottish, Polish-Scottish, even English-Scottish.

I'm as Glaswegian as they come.

We want to return to the European Union and play our part in building a continent that's based on human rights, on peace, prosperity and social justice.

We will be the generation that delivers independence for Scotland.

I could give you example after example, of where the language of the far Right, driven by Islamophobia, has now become institutionalised in our politics.

I've been very clear, I'm a republican.

The NHS and its founding principles are, to me, paramount and my job as the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care is to preserve those founding principles. I take that job as a custodian of those founding principles very seriously.

I've definitely had tough times.

If we had powers in our own hands we wouldn't have cruel Westminster policies foisted upon us. So that's the message - independence is absolutely linked to the cost of living crisis, or austerity or the fact that our economy has suffered because of Brexit.

Our job is to inspire, not just point out the failings of a miserable Westminster government but to inspire people, give them a reason to vote for independence.

We believe in independence because this unequal Union has caused so much suffering and so much harm.

I think as people of colour who are in senior positions of government and senior positions in public life, we've got two choices - we can either reach down and give other people our hand and pull them up with us or we can pull the ladder up behind us.

I'm grateful for lots of things in life.

Sovereignty should lie with the people of Scotland, not a Westminster Government we didn't vote for with the ability to overrule our laws.

The only way to guarantee we get true self-government is through independence.

What people will judge any potential candidate on are their policies, what they stand for, what they will advocate, what they might end up moving away from in terms of policy. That is the right discussion to have - not whether somebody of faith can be first minister.

You can be a person of faith and be first minister.

It's inevitable that you make mistakes.