John Swinney has been backed by a Scottish minister to run for leader of the SNP following Humza Yousaf’s resignation earlier today.
The former Deputy First Minister has quickly emerged as the favourite to become Scotland’s next First Minister and has said that he is giving “very careful consideration” to throwing his hat in the ring.
Swinney, who quit government following Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation in February 2023, is a popular contender due to his support from other ministers.
Speaking at an importune press conference in London, he said: “I’ve been somewhat overwhelmed by the requests that have been made for me to do that, with many, many messages from many colleagues across the party.
John Swinney tipped to throw hat in the ring for SNP leadership after Humza Yousaf’s resignation
PA
“So, I’m giving that issue very active consideration. And it’s likely I’ll have more to say about that in the days to come.”
Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, told the News Agents podcast that Swinney is the only candidate to replace Yousaf “with the experience to do the job and unite the party”, ruling himself out as a possible contender for the position.
Scottish Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, another potential candidate for the role, has also given Swinney, who served as leader between 2000 and 2004, the stamp of approval.
Writing on social media, she said: “John Swinney is the best choice to be Scotland’s First Minister and the SNP leader. I will be strongly supporting him if, as I hope, he chooses to run.”
Speaking in London, where he has been attending a Resolution Foundation conference, Swinney said: “I’ve always believed that the right place for the Scottish National party is as a moderate left-of-centre political party in the mainstream tradition of Scottish public opinion.
“You only ever win success if you’re in line with the mainstream of public opinion in the country and that’s where I’ve always endeavoured to make sure the SNP was positioned, and I think that’s where the SNP should be positioned in the future.”
The Scottish Conservatives said that Swinney in charge would represent “absolute continuity” with Salmond, Sturgeon and Yousaf and result in no change.
“John Swinney served in Alex Salmond’s cabinet and Nicola Sturgeon’s cabinet and was one of the strongest supporters of Humza Yousaf. It will be absolute continuity again, with more focus on independence than improving public services that have suffered year after year …” he told Times Radio.
Earlier today, Yousaf has quit his post as first minister of Scotland, avoiding having to face a no confidence vote in his leadership. He said he will continue in his post until a successor is elected.
Giving a press conference this afternoon, he said it has been an “honour” to serve as First Minister.
He was facing a vote of no confidence, tabled by the Scottish Conservatives, while Scottish Labour had tabled one of no confidence in the Scottish Government as a whole, with both expected to take place this week.
He admitted to having “underestimated” the level of hurt ending the power-sharing deal with the Greens would have.
While he said it was “the right decision”, he continued: “Unfortunately in ending the Bute House Agreement in the matter I did I clearly underestimate the level of hurt and upset that caused Green colleagues.
“For a minority government to be able to govern effectively trust when working with the opposition is clearly fundamental.”
