John Swinney confirmed as SNP leader and would-be First Minister
The former Deputy First Minister ran unopposed to replace Humza Yousaf.
Last updated 6th May 2024
John Swinney will be the next SNP leader after running unopposed for the position.
Activist Graeme McCormick announced on Sunday that he had the secured 100 nominations from 20 branches needed to run against Mr Swinney, but backed out following "lengthy and fruitful" conversations with the former Deputy First Minister.
Mr Swinney had warned earlier that a contest could damage the party's chances of recovering from a "difficult" period.
He says he is "deeply honoured" to have been appointed to the position.
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Vote for First Minister
The leadership bid was not put to SNP members, as no last-minute challengers emerged before noon today, leaving Mr Swinney clear to take over, and to go forward to a vote in Holyrood to succeed Humza Yousaf as First Minister.
The Scottish Government Cabinet will meet on Tuesday, with MSPs later given the opportunity to elect a new First Minister at some point in the Holyrood schedule.
Mr Swinney would then have to swear three oaths of office at the Court of Session in Edinburgh before officially becoming first minister.
The leadership race was triggered after Mr Yousaf confirmed his intention to resign last week after he abruptly ended the power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens, facing significant backlash in Holyrood and a vote of no confidence in his leadership.
Reaction from parties
The former party leader has offered his congratulations to his successor, urging people to get behind Mr Swinney.
The Scottish Greens, whose sudden removal from the power-sharing agreement triggered Mr Yousaf's resignation, are urging the new leader to "remain committed to progressive policies" on climate change and inequality.
Co-leader Patrick Harvey extended his congratulations, adding: "Scotland needs a period of stable government. Mr Swinney knows that if he is to have our support then it must be on the basis of progressive policies that help us to tackle the climate crisis and build a fairer and more equal future.
“The next Scottish Government will face an important choice. Will they offer a progressive vision for Scotland’s future, or will they retreat toward the tepid middle ground, which would force them to rely on the Tories and other pro-union parties?
“There are a lot of important policies already on their way to delivery as a result of the Bute House Agreement, including better rights for tenants and rent controls, transforming the way we heat our homes and a watertight ban on conversion therapy.
“We remain utterly committed to these policies and will oppose any move away from them or steps to dilute them. It is also clear that the new Climate Bill must be used to bring about the pace of change that has been lacking since the SNP first started missing climate targets."
"Will they offer a progressive vision for Scotland's future?"
Scottish Labour is stressing the need for change in Scotland, with Leader Anas Sarwar warning the SNP is offering "more of the same".
He added: "John Swinney has been at the heart of this incompetent government for 17 years and at the heart of the SNP for 40 years.
“From presiding over the exam results scandal as Education Secretary to destroying public finances as Finance Secretary, John Swinney’s record is one of failure.
“This is a stitch-up by a chaotic and dysfunctional party that is more interested in protecting its own interests than serving the interests of the people of Scotland.
“The SNP must stop running scared and gives Scots a say in their next First Minister by calling an election.
“After 17 years of SNP failure, Scotland needs change – and Scottish Labour is ready to deliver it.”
"Scotland needs change"
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross is urging Mr Swinney to abandon his "relentless push for independence".
He added: "As the main opposition party, we will hold John Swinney to account when he lets the Scottish people down – just as we’ve done with Humza Yousaf.
“It’s difficult to see how he can be the fresh start Scotland needs, when he’s the ultimate continuity candidate. John Swinney was joined at the hip with the disgraced Nicola Sturgeon and his fingerprints are all over her numerous policy failures and cover-ups.
“The stitch-up the SNP have engineered to ensure John Swinney’s coronation highlights the mess they’re in. Is a failed former leader from two decades ago – who, as education secretary, sent Scotland plummeting down international league tables – really the best they have to offer?
“With John Swinney at the helm, the SNP will double down on their independence obsession – the one issue they agree on – and ignore the real priorities of the Scottish people, such as fixing our ailing public services and growing the economy.
“Voters know that in key seats across Scotland, only the Scottish Conservatives can beat the SNP and get the focus back on to the issues that really matter.”
Look back at John Swinney's political career
John Swinney's parliamentary career began at Westminster. While Tony Blair's New Labour swept to power in the 1997 election he became the MP for North Tayside, what was once one of the safest Conservative seats in Scotland.
Along with a young Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney was a prominent party figure as Alex Salmond led the SNP into the election for the first Scottish Parliament in nearly 300 years in 1999. They were pictured together at the campaign launch.
John Swinney was elected to the North Tayside constituency seat in the first Holyrood election in 1999, and is now among a handful of MSPs who have been there since day 1. He was given a place in Alex Salmond's shadow cabinet as spokesman on Enterprise and Lifelong Learning.
In 2000, Alex Salmond resigned as leader of the SNP. He beat Alex Neil winning 67% of the vote. But the party saw a decline in its fortunes losing seats at both the UK General Election in 2001 and the second Scottish Parliament election in 2003. After more poor results in the European Elections in 2004 he resigned, with Alex Salmond making a shock comeback to the leadership.
Alex Salmond led the SNP to an historic victory, by the narrowest of margins, in the 2007 Scottish election and formed a minority government. John Swinney was given one of the most senior Cabinet positions as Finance Secretary, a job he did until 2016.
In 2016, serving Nicola Sturgeon as the her Deputy First Minister he switched portfolios to take over as Education Secretary. In 2020 he faced a motion of no confidence following controversy about the perceived unfairness of the SQA grading system when school exams were cancelled by the Covid-19 lockdown.
John Swinney served as Deputy First Minister to Nicola Sturgeon for almost 9 years. Defending him during the confidence motion in the exams scandal she described him as: "one of the most decent and dedicated people in Scottish politics". He also resigned when Nicola Sturgeon quit, saying it had been "an honour to serve Scotland."
In 2003 John Swinney married the TV news reporter Elizabeth Quigley, at Saint Peter's Parish Church in Morningside in Edinburgh. They have a son, Matthew, born in 2010, and he has two children from his first marriage. Elizabeth has been living with Multiple Sclerosis since 2000.