Speaking to senior SNP politicians and activists at an event at Glasgow University, Swinney said his decision to stand for the role of leader - after Humza Yousaf announced his intention to step down one week ago - was "not born out of long-held ambition but rather a profound sense of duty to my party and my country".
He said he "made no apology" for the fact he was the only candidate to put himself forward. Last week his most likely rival, Kate Forbes, the former finance secretary who came close to beating Yousaf last year, ruled herself out of the contest and backed Swinney, saying she was persuaded by his pledge to "govern from the mainstream".
A last-minute threat to the coronation was averted late on Sunday when the SNP activist and serial leadership critic Graeme McCormick chose to back Swinney after a "lengthy and fruitful conversation".
Endorsed by senior figures across the party, Swinney told his audience that his amicable talks with Forbes and McCormick had demonstrated "the SNP is coming back together again now".
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin May 07, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin May 07, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Mbappé in Madrid, must now live up AIR to his boyhood idols
Europe's best club has finally landed the continent's greatest talent. How it looks on the pitch is another matter
Injury forces Djokovic to withdraw and costs him world No 1 spot
Novak Djokovic, the world No 1 and defending champion, has been forced to withdraw from the French Open because of a torn medial meniscus sustained during his dramatic five-set win against Francisco Cerúndolo, the Argentinian 23rd seed, on Monday.
Scotland's shot at upset against England denied by downpours
The first abandonment of this T20 World Cup came between two countries not unfamiliar with the wet stuff.
Billionaire behind the National Lottery to cut ties with Gazprom
The billionaire owner of Allwyn, the company that runs the national lottery, will sever his last remaining ties with Russia's state-owned energy company Gazprom by the end of this month, more than two years after winning the UK's largest public sector contract.
US issues order limiting number of asylum seekers crossing Mexican border
The White House announced an executive order yesterday that will temporarily shut the US-Mexico border to asylum seekers attempting to cross outside of lawful ports of entry when a daily threshold is exceeded.
'Every reason' to think Netanyahu prolonging war for own gain - Biden
Joe Biden has said there is \"every reason\" to draw the conclusion that Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the war in Gaza for his own political self-preservation.
King to take part in cross-Channel events marking 80 years since D-day landings
Rishi Sunak's election campaigning and the king's convalescence from cancer will be put on hold for 48 hours as they join veterans on the south coast of England and in Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of D-day.
'Super-ATMs' offer lifeline to people in areas without bank branch
The first in a planned wave of \"superATMS\" allowing customers of multiple banks to make cash deposits and free withdrawals have opened for business.
Dior returns to Scotland for first time in 70 years
It is not every Dior show that opens with a skirl of bagpipes, three ways to wear violet tartan and a sporran in place of a clutch bag.
Cyber-attack disrupts seven NHS hospitals in London
Major London hospitals have had to cancel operations and blood transfusions after being hit by a cyber-attack that led to them declaring it a \"critical incident\".