Mr Swinney has been named as the new SNP leader – and is now likely to become Scotland’s next first minister after a vote in Holyrood later this…
John Swinney promised a “new chapter” as he took over as SNP leader, admitting his party has been through “a rough time”.
But after Mr Yousaf ended the powersharing agreement with the Scottish Greens, he will have to operate a minority administration at Holyrood. The new SNP leader, who has already pledged to lead a centre-left government, told Scots: “If elected first minister, my focus will be the economy, jobs, the cost of living. It will be the National Health Service, our schools and our public services. It will be addressing the climate crisis.”But he insisted that rival parties’ opposition to this was “not a reason for them to refuse to work with us to build the economy, support jobs and improve the health service”.
But he said his appointment to the post of SNP leader was “the beginning of a new chapter” for the party. Mr Swinney stated: “Too often, too many people are too busy fighting to win battles when we should be seeking solutions to problems.” The Tory added: “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 growing the economy.”Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar hit out: “At a time when Scotland is crying out for change, the SNP is offering more of the same.
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