John Swinney is new SNP leader after no-one else contests

The new leader of Scotland will be John Swinney, after no other candidates ran against him in the race to replace Humza Yousaf.

Seen as a safe pair of hands, he served as Deputy First Minister under Nicola Sturgeon for eight years, and will now be returning for the top job.

Nominations closed at noon today, with rivals deciding not to put themselves forward.

It comes after Mr Yousaf resigned as SNP leader having served just over a year the role.

Veteran MSP Mr Swinney has been involved with Scottish politics since before Mr Yousaf was born, and was among the first cohort elected to Holyrood after devolution.

Reports of a leadership contest began early yesterday when activist Graeme McCormick said he had the secured 100 nominations from 20 branches needed to run against Mr Swinney.

But later on Sunday, he confirmed he had backed out of the campaign after ‘lengthy and fruitful’ conversations with Mr Swinney.

Mr Swinney had warned earlier that a contest could damage the party’s chances of recovering from a ‘difficult’ period.

Former finance secretary Kate Forbes was also tipped to contest the leadership, but decided against doing so. Mr Swinney heaped praised on his potential rival, saying she would be offered a ‘significant’ job in his team after she confirmed she would not run against him.

The leadership bid will not have to be put to SNP members, with Mr Swinney clear to take over.

He is likely to become Scotland’s next first minister – the third in just over a year – as early as tomorrow.

The Scottish Government Cabinet will meet on Tuesday, with MSPs later given the opportunity to elect a new first minister.

Mr Swinney would then have to swear three oaths of office at the Court of Session in Edinburgh before officially becoming first minister.

A new Scottish cabinet could be announced as early as Thursday.

As a veteran of the Scottish Government, Mr Swinney has already held key posts, including finance secretary, and education secretary, so will know what is expected of those he appoints to serve under him.

He takes charge at a crucial time for the party, with a general election likely to take place in the later half of this year.

Speaking previously, he said he would ‘work to seek common ground in the Scottish Parliament in the interests of the public and of good governance’.

Mr Swinney added that as a result, the party’s approach in Holyrood would ‘have to change, to listen, to compromise, to work with all other political parties’.

The leadership race was triggered after Mr Yousaf abruptly ended the powersharing agreement with the Scottish Greens, facing significant backlash in Holyrood and a vote of no confidence in his leadership.

He chose to resign, claiming: ‘While a route through this week’s motion of no confidence was absolutely possible, I am not willing to trade my values and principles, or do deals with whoever, simply for retaining power.’

There have already been suggestions that Scotland could hold an election this year.

Labour’s deputy national campaign coordinator Ellie Reeves told Sky News: ‘No-one voted for Humza Yousaf and given all of the chaos I think there should be an election up in Scotland so that people in Scotland can have their say on what’s happening up there.’

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