John Swinney set to be first minister after becoming SNP leader

[Emrys]

John Swinney is set to become Scotland’s seventh first minister after winning the SNP leadership unopposed.

The Perthshire North MSP was announced as Humza Yousaf’s successor at noon when nominations closed.

“I am deeply honoured to have been elected as Leader of the SNP,” Swinney said. “I will give all that I have to serve my party and my country.”

The party leader will give an acceptance speech at 3pm in Glasgow.
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The Scottish Parliament is likely to hold a vote to elect Nicola Sturgeon’s former deputy as first minister as soon as Tuesday.

Swinney could then be officially sworn in on Wednesday before holding his inaugural First Minister’s Questions on Thursday.

A new Cabinet, expected to include former leadership contender Kate Forbes, will also be announced.

https://news.stv.tv/politics/john-swinney-to-be-scotlands-first-minister-after-succeeding-humza-yousaf-as-snp-leader

In the end, Swiiney was unopposed following talks with Kate Forbes, who entertained the idea of standing, and Graeme McCormick, who was widely reported yesterday as having enough signatures to join the race.

The news has been greeted with general enthusiasm among SNP supporters, and such a smooth transition won't please the Holyrood Opposition (nor the general media, which had prematurely stocked up on popcorn).

The trajectory can be summed up in one tweet:



Among those disappointed are Alba's most enthusiastic online pundits, who had laid in a stock sour grapes:



The next step is a vote in the Holyrood parliament. The leader of the largest party doesn't automatically become First Minister in Scotland, there has to be an election by MSPs from the whole parliament. The SNP is two votes short of a majority, so Swinney will need the support of at least some of the Green MSPs.

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Does there seem any reason Swinney didn't stand to succeed Sturgeon?

From outside, the question seem to be: if Swinney's so great for uniting the party, why wasn't he in the last leader election?

[Emrys]

2. His wife, Elizabeth Quigley, suffers from multiple sclerosis

John Swinney's wife Elizabeth reveals her ongoing battle not to let multiple sclerosis hold her back

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/john-swinneys-wife-elizabeth-ongoing-10698355

Last year, Swinney planned to retire to spend more time caring for her. He did mention in his declaration of intent to stand this time that it was involving a degree of personal sacrifice, but apparently he's discussed it with his family and they've decided they'll find ways to cope.