John Swinney elected unopposed as new SNP leader
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John Swinney has been crowned the new leader of the SNP after winning the support of potential contender, Highland MSP Kate Forbes.
It means that party elders can breathe a sigh of relief and do without a costly leadership election which could have risked dividing the party further.
Mr Swinney is expected to give an acceptance speech later today.
The next step in the process is for a vote at Holyrood, likely tomorrow, to confirm Mr Swinney as the First Minister - before which Humza Yousaf must formally resign from the role, having already announced his intention to do so.
Highland MSP and Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross previously confirmed he plans to enter his name in the race to lead the country though this is likely to be a largely symbolic gesture.
Opposition parties have been demanding a Scottish election given the recent changes in the resident of Bute House but Mr Swinney ruled that out when he announced his intention to stand as party leader.
In the event that the parliament fails to agree the nomination of a First Minister within 28 days, the presiding officer must propose a date for an "extraordinary general election" but that has never happened in Scotland.
John Swinney offers Kate Forbes a top government job in bid to become First Minister
Giving her thoughts on Mr Swinney ahead of today’s expected announcement Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP said: “John Swinney is a failed SNP leader of the past and has been a part of the senior leadership of the SNP that has presided over the failures of this government for the past 17 years.
“This is not a fresh start, it is simply the ‘same old’ and we need an election now to allow the people to decide who runs the country".
The SNP’s Maree Todd, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP, however, said: “Nobody is more experienced than John Swinney.
“Having worked closely with him as his junior minister when he was cabinet secretary for education, I know him to be dedicated, principled and a skilled negotiator.
“I am confident that he will deliver on his promises to create a modern, diverse, and dynamic Scotland, and of course, unite Scotland for independence.”
Jamie Halcro Johnston, Conservative MSP, said: “The very least the people of the Highlands and Islands should be able to expect is a government focused on their issues and not just the SNP’s own obsession with another independence referendum.
“Rural and island communities want to see promised road improvements like the dualling of the A9 completed. They want our beleaguered ferries network operating without cancellations and delays, and Scottish ministers to stop talking about new vessels and actually deliver them.
“And they want new hospitals built, cuts to services reversed and schools fit to learn and teach in, not just endless excuses from the SNP government on why they’re not.
“John Swinney has already confirmed that his priority will be independence and that the SNP will remain a central-belt focused party that offers nothing to communities across the Highlands and Islands that deserve so much more.
“This isn’t a bright new start for the SNP, it’s just more of the same”.
While Greens MSP Ariane Burgess said: “The Scottish Greens have been very clear that the leadership of the SNP is a matter for their members to decide.
“The current First Minister has decided that the SNP wishes to operate as a minority government, which means whoever they choose to lead them in Holyrood must command the support of the majority of Scotland’s MSPs.
“It’s important that politicians of all parties model the kind of thoughtful, collaborative and cooperative work that the Scottish Parliament is founded upon and myself and my Scottish Green colleagues will seek common cause with all those who share our vision for a greener, fairer Scotland".
The SNP’s Emma Roddick told us: “I was delighted with John's speech last week, I know how excellent he is as a leader and as a person to work with, so, I'm just hopeful for his leadership and what it will bring.
“When he and Nicola resigned last year, I told him I was looking forward to learning from him on the backbenches. I was then put into government, so, it didn't look as I had imagined, but I learn so much from him all the time and I know and trust he will do the right thing for Scotland and the SNP".
