The Guardian view on the SNP-Greens split: an unsurprising but costly rift | Editorial

As recently as Tuesday, Mr Yousaf was publicly buffing his treasure, insisting that he hoped the deal would continue.

Less than 48 hours later, however, he decided it was time to sell, scrapping the pact and pledging instead to lead a minority SNP government for the remaining two years of this Scottish parliament.

Shortly afterwards, the furious Greens vowed to back next week’s Conservative motion of no confidence against the man who had “betrayed” them.

Last week, the Scottish government scrapped its pledge of a 75% cut in carbon emissions by 2030, and its legally binding annual reduction targets.

Last week, the SNP’s former chief executive Peter Murrell, Ms Sturgeon’s husband, was charged with embezzlement.

But after being in power for 17 years, it is no surprise that its problems have accumulated, especially when the party’s reason for existing – independence – remains so distant.