John Swinney grabs the poisoned chalice as the former SNP leader is crowned ... trends now
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John Swinney yesterday seized control of the SNP after a ‘stitch-up’ meant he was the only candidate for party leader.
The veteran Nationalist politician is on course to become the third First Minister in just over a year this week after he succeeded Humza Yousaf unopposed.
He was the only nominee after he persuaded former Finance Secretary Kate Forbes to join his team rather than challenge him, in a move billed a ‘stitch-up’ by opponents.
He also survived a late scare by persuading activist Graeme McCormick not to go ahead with forcing a leadership contest despite securing the support required to stand.
In his victory speech in Glasgow yesterday, he acknowledged the scale of the infighting and crises which have engulfed the SNP and admitted the party has been through a ‘rough, tough time’.
John Swinney yesterday seized control of the SNP after a ‘stitch-up’ meant he was the only candidate for party leader
Swinney is on course to become the third First Minister in just over a year this week after he succeeded Humza Yousaf (pictured) unopposed
Swinney was the only nominee after he persuaded former Finance Secretary Kate Forbes (pictured) to join his team rather than challenge him
But he claimed that his party has now ‘come back together again’ under his leadership and ‘got our act together’.
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: ‘It’s difficult to see how he can be the fresh start Scotland needs, when he’s the ultimate continuity candidate.
John Swinney was joined at the hip with the disgraced Nicola Sturgeon and his fingerprints are all over her numerous policy failures and cover-ups.
‘The stitch-up the SNP have engineered to ensure John Swinney’s coronation highlights the mess they’re in.
'Is a failed former leader from two decades ago – who, as education secretary, sent Scotland plummeting down international league tables – really the best they have to offer?
‘With John Swinney at the helm, the SNP will double down on their independence obsession – the one issue they agree on – and ignore the real priorities of the Scottish people, such as fixing our ailing public services and
