SNP Veteran John Swinney Confirmed as Party's New Leader

John Swinney Crowned as SNP's New Leader

John Swinney has been officially confirmed as the new leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) after no opposition was raised against his bid to succeed Humza Yousaf. The veteran SNP member successfully fended off a late challenge by a party activist, thus avoiding a potential leadership contest.

Next Steps for Swinney

As the leader of the largest party in Holyrood, Mr. Swinney is now poised to be voted in by Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) on Tuesday before being sworn in as the First Minister at the Court of Session in Edinburgh. This paves the way for Mr. Swinney to face his first First Minister's Questions session at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

Political Responses

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie cautioned Swinney against deviating from progressive policies established under the power-sharing Bute House Agreement. Meanwhile, Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross called on Swinney to abandon the pursuit of independence and pledged to hold him accountable for any perceived failures.