The appointment of Humza Yousaf did bring voices from across the social and political spectrum together on one important matter.
As Scotland’s only First Minister from an ethnic minority background, he proved that we live in a country where anything is possible, irrespective of where you come from.
Just like Rishi Sunak becoming Prime Minister, it sends an important message to young people across the UK that we continue to live in an open, tolerant society in which anyone can succeed.
But that’s where the agreement ends.
The surprise resignation of Nicola Sturgeon presented the SNP with a chance to shake things up.
And let’s not be in any doubt – serious change was required.
Her government’s significant failings over almost 16 years in power reach every area of devolved responsibility.
Thousands of words could be spent on each one, detailing just how poorly SNP and latterly Green ministers performed on issues of vital importance to people and businesses.
But let’s focus on the ones for which, at one time or another, her successor has had responsibility over.
From the shambolic ferries network to trains which are repeatedly cancelled, delayed or just skip stops in order to make up time, the devolved transport portfolio has been disastrous under successive nationalist ministers.
A country like Scotland, where the many islands communities make up the very fabric of what’s special, should surely be able to get ferries right.
Instead, the new vessels are mired in scandal and controversy, tens of millions over budget and years late.
Those which are left to take the strain repeatedly break down and are taken out of service.
Instead of a system to be proud of it’s one which leaves island and coastal communities high and dry.
Since the SNP’s contentious decision to create a single police force, things have gone from bad to worse in the justice brief.
Police stations are crumbling and officer numbers have consistently tumbled, leaving vulnerable people in danger and policemen and women at risk of burnout and breakdown.
Court backlogs are eye-watering and remand numbers reached their highest-ever number recently.
Even Scotland’s most senior police officer, Sir Iain Livingstone, said as he announced his retirement that he didn’t think the future was sustainable under current Scottish Government funding arrangements.
Despite failing in both those briefs, Humza Yousaf was handed the keys to the most treasured public service of all, the NHS.
Anyone who’s experienced a hospital, a GP or a wait for an ambulance in recent years knows just how far standards in Scotland have fallen.
This is something he himself appears to acknowledge, having created a specialist cabinet role for NHS recovery – the very portfolio he placed on life support.
With this disastrous legacy, you’d think the SNP members may have thought twice about voting for the official Nicola Sturgeon tribute act.
What’s more, the cabinet he appointed was a blatant case of jobs for the boys and girls.
He could have reached out across the party to offer important jobs to those who opposed him during the leadership race.
Instead, they were forced out. It seems all that’s needed to be given a plum job in Scotland’s government is to have been a fawning member of Team Humza.
It’s more of the same which guarantees further misery for public services and the economy.
And they will all prioritise a damaging and divisive second independence referendum over the things that really matter to the country.
Our people, businesses and public services deserve so much better.
