Swinney is new SNP leader and first minister in waiting

John Swinney promised a “new chapter” as he took over as SNP leader yesterday after potential leadership contest rivals pulled out of the race.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

The former deputy first minister was the only person to put himself forward to succeed Humza Yousaf, who is expected to formally step down this week.

Mr Swinney will still face a confirmation vote at Holyrood, which will likely see him approved as the Scottish parliament’s nominated candidate to be the seventh first minister. In his acceptance speech, Mr Swinney paid tribute to the “grace and dignity” of Mr Yousaf, who he said showed “moral leadership on the issue of Gaza”.

He said he was not motivated by personal ambition but that he had stood for leader “out of a profound sense of duty” to his party and his country. And, in a plea for unity in the party, Mr Swinney said: “If elected first minister, my focus will be the economy, jobs, the cost of living. It will be the NHS, our schools and our public services. It will be addressing the climate crisis.

“Do not let our disagreements dominate. Join me as we open a new chapter. That’s my job, that’s our job, and I plan to get the job done.” It comes just a week after Mr Yousaf announced he was stepping down as both SNP leader and Scottish first minister, after his decision to tear up his party’s power-sharing deal with the Greens at Holyrood left him facing a vote of confidence.