John Swinney elected SNP leader – watch the presentation speech
John Swinney elected SNP leader
Swinney launched his campaign to become SNP leader and first minister, saying change needed in “these difficult times”.
The former deputy FM is the first candidate to officially enter the race for the leadership of the SNP.
John Swinney made his leadership bid in a venue only about a mile from the Scottish Parliament.
Swinney says he wants to “unite the SNP and Scotland for independence’.
He says he wants fellow leadership frontrunner Kate Forbes to be part of his new government team.
Swinney clarifies his intentions: “I am no caretaker. I am no interim leader.”
Kate Forbes is due to announce her decision this afternoon.
The pair have held “informal talks” about the party leadership, according to a spokesman for Forbes.
Former finance secretary Forbes is yet to declare but has said she “is not ruling anything out”.
Nominations for the role of SNP leader close on Monday.
In his pitch for the leadership, John Swinney wants to be seen as a man of contrasts.
Committed to tackling climate change – but determined, he says, to take society and business along on that journey.
John Swinney wants to be seen as the unifier in the SNP and Scotland.
And he thinks that will win him the keys to Bute House.
The bid described: a masterclass in how to apply for a job.
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