John Swinney, the MSP for Perthshire North, has officially declared his candidacy for the leadership of the SNP and the position of Scotland’s first minister, aiming to succeed Humza Yousaf. Swinney, who has been on the backbenches for a year following his resignation as deputy first minister when Nicola Sturgeon stepped down in 2023, made his announcement while visiting the Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh on Thursday.
Expressing his vision for Scotland, Swinney emphasized the need to continue the SNP’s work in building a modern, diverse, and dynamic nation that provides opportunities for all its citizens. He stressed the importance of unity within the SNP and across Scotland, particularly regarding the goal of independence, acknowledging that cohesion within the party needs improvement to achieve Indyref2.
With a longstanding commitment to the SNP, having joined as a teenager and serving as a senior minister for 16 years, Swinney believes he possesses the experience, skills, and trust of the Scottish people to reunite the party and focus on Scotland’s best interests.
Following Humza Yousaf’s recent resignation, several prominent SNP figures, including Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, education secretary Jenny Gilruth, and MPs Pete Wishart, Ian Blackford, and Alyn Smith, have voiced their support for Swinney. Additionally, former finance secretary Kate Forbes is anticipated to make a statement later, potentially joining the leadership race.
Swinney’s political journey spans back to the inception of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, representing North Tayside and previously serving the same constituency at Westminster in 1997. With a diverse portfolio of ministerial roles under both Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond’s governments, including finance secretary and education secretary, Swinney is regarded by supporters as having the necessary experience to lead Scotland in the wake of Yousaf’s departure.
Despite facing challenges during his tenure, such as close no-confidence votes in Holyrood over various issues, Swinney remains committed to the SNP’s achievements, including initiatives like the Scottish child payment, free university tuition, and childcare expansion. He emphasizes a commitment to economic growth and social justice from a center-left perspective, while also addressing pressing issues like child poverty and climate change.
Regarding independence, Swinney affirms his lifelong belief in Scotland’s future as an independent nation but acknowledges the need to persuade more people of this vision before it can be realized. He pledges to engage respectfully and persuasively with Scots to address obstacles to independence and advocate for Scotland’s best interests on the global stage.
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