John Swinney vows to ‘unite SNP’ as he announces leadership bid

Former Deputy First Minister John Swinney has announced that he is standing to be leader of the SNP and Scotland’s next first minister.

Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh, Swinney said he wanted to “unite the SNP and unite Scotland for independence”.

Swinney said he accepted his party was in “some difficulty” following the resignation of Humza Yousaf.

And he said he hoped to offer Kate Forbes a place in his cabinet, should he become first minister, part of what he called “Team SNP”.

“I want Kate Forbes to play a significant part in [my] team. She is an intelligent, creative, thoughtful person who has much to contribute to our national life. If elected, I will make sure Kate is able to make that contribution.”

Forbes is expected to make a statement later today.

Swinney previously served as SNP leader between 2000 and 2004.

He was deputy first minister and finance secretary under Nicola Sturgeon but stood down and went to the backbenches following her resignation.

“I want to unite the SNP and unite Scotland for independence,” Swinney told journalists.

He said his goals as first minister would come straight from a “centre left tradition,” meaning the pursuit of economic growth and social justice.

Swinney said as leader he would “reach out with respect and courtesy” in order to build support for Scottish independence.

He said he accepted his party was “not as cohesive as it needs to be” but that he was the person to unite it and turn it back into a “formidable” force in Scottish politics.

“I could have stood back but I care too much to walk on by,” he added.

On the matter of how long he’d spend at the helm, he said: “I am no caretaker. I am no interim leader.”

He pledged to lead the SNP into the 2026 Holyrood election and serve a full term after that, should his party win.

He declined to back an early election, saying doing so was a “red herring” as the Scottish Parliament had fixed terms.

And on running a minority administration, he said he had demonstrated on previous governments that he was well able to find common ground with other parties to work together.

Asked why it was the right time for him to lead the party, given he had already done so between 2000-2004, he said was a “different” and “stronger character”, and that the party was much changed from then too.