John Swinney
John Swinney | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Official portrait, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First Minister of Scotland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assumed office 8 May 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Monarch | Charles III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deputy | Kate Forbes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Humza Yousaf | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leader of the Scottish National Party | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assumed office 6 May 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depute | Keith Brown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Humza Yousaf | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 26 September 2000 – 3 September 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depute | Roseanna Cunningham | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Alex Salmond | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Alex Salmond | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | John Ramsay Swinney 13 April 1964 Edinburgh, Scotland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Political party | Scottish National Party | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spouses | Lorna King
(m. 1991; div. 1998)
(ann. 2003)Elizabeth Quigley (m. 2003) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Children | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Relatives | Tom Hunter (uncle) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residence | Bute House | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alma mater | University of Edinburgh (MA Hons) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Website | www First Minister of Scotland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||
---|---|---|
Leader of the Scottish National Party Incumbent Cabinet positions (2007–2023)
First Minister of Scotland (2024–present)
![]() |
||
John Ramsay Swinney (born 13 April 1964) is a Scottish politician who has served as the First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) since May 2024. He previously served as the leader of the SNP from 2000 to 2004 as Leader of the Opposition, and held various roles within the Scottish Cabinet from 2007 to 2023 under First Ministers Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon. Swinney was Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for North Tayside from 1999 to 2011 and, following boundary changes, has been MSP for Perthshire North since 2011. He was Member of Parliament (MP) for Tayside North from 1997 to 2001.
Born in Edinburgh, Swinney graduated with a MA in politics at the University of Edinburgh. He joined the SNP at a young age, and quickly rose to prominence by serving as the National Secretary from 1986 to 1992 and as Deputy Leader from 1998 to 2000. He served in the House of Commons as MP for Tayside North from 1997 to 2001. He was elected to the inaugural Scottish Parliament at the 1999 Scottish Parliament election. After Salmond resigned the party leadership in 2000, Swinney was elected at the 2000 leadership election. He became Leader of the Opposition in the Scottish Parliament. The SNP lost one MP at the 2001 general election and eight MSPs at the 2003 Scottish Parliament election, despite the Officegate scandal unseating the previous Scottish Labour first minister, Henry McLeish. However, the only parties to gain seats in that election were the Scottish Greens and the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) which, like the SNP, support independence. After an unsuccessful challenge to his leadership in 2003, and the party's unfavourable results at the 2004 European Parliament election, Swinney resigned. Salmond returned to the role at the subsequent 2004 leadership election.
From 2004 to 2007, Swinney was a backbencher. At the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, the SNP won the highest number of seats, and Salmond was subsequently appointed first minister. Swinney served under Salmond as Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth from 2007 to 2014. After Sturgeon succeeded Salmond, she appointed Swinney as Deputy First Minister in 2014. He also served as Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy, until that role was divided into two posts in the second Sturgeon government as a result of the expansion of the Scottish Parliament's financial powers; he was then appointed Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills in 2016, and then as Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery in 2021. On 25 May 2022, Swinney became the longest serving Deputy First Minister, surpassing the previous record which was held by Sturgeon. Swinney served as Acting Finance and Economy Secretary in addition to his position of Covid Recovery Secretary from July 2022 to March 2023. In March 2023, he announced his resignation from his senior positions in response to Sturgeon's resignation as first minister.
Swinney spent the duration of Humza Yousaf's premiership on the backbenches and served as a member of the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee. Following Yousaf's announcement of his resignation in April 2024, Swinney ran to succeed him at the 2024 SNP leadership election and was elected unopposed. His early premiership was marked by the loss of 39 seats in the 2024 United Kingdom general election, reducing the SNP to the second-largest party in Scotland and the fourth-largest party in the Westminster Parliament.
Early life
[edit]Family, education and early career
[edit]John Ramsay Swinney was born on 13 April 1964[1] in the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, the son of Kenneth Swinney, a garage manager,[2] and Agnes Weir Swinney (née Hunter).[3] His uncle Tom Hunter was awarded the Victoria Cross whilst serving with the Royal Marines during the Second World War.[4] His maternal grandparents, Ramsey and Mary Hunter, were from England, having moved to Edinburgh in the 1920s.[5][6]
Swinney was educated at Forrester High School, before attending the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated with an Master of Arts Honours degree in politics in 1986.[7] He was a research officer for the Scottish Coal Project from 1987 to 1988, a senior management consultant with Development Options from 1988 to 1992, and a strategic planning principal with Scottish Amicable Life Assurance from 1992 to 1997.[8]
Early political involvement
[edit]Swinney joined the Scottish National Party (SNP) in 1979 at the age of 15,[9] citing his anger at the way in which Scotland had been portrayed by television commentators at the Commonwealth Games.[10] He quickly became a prominent figure in the party's youth wing, the Young Scottish Nationalist, now known as the Young Scots for Independence (YSI).[11] He served as the SNP's Assistant National Secretary, before becoming the National Secretary in 1986, at the age of 22.[12]
Early political career
[edit]House of Commons
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/John_Swinney_in_1999.jpg)
At the 1997 general election, he was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tayside North constituency,[13] and in 1999 he was elected to represent the same area at the Scottish Parliament. He stood down as a Westminster MP at the 2001 general election in order to avoid splitting his time, in line with all of his colleagues who found themselves in a similar dual mandate position.
Election to Holyrood
[edit]In 1999 Swinney was elected to the 1st Scottish Parliament, representing the North Tayside constituency.[14] In Salmond's opposition cabinet, he served as the Spokesman on Enterprise and Lifelong Learning. He also served on the Parliament's Finance Committee and was the Convener of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee.[15]
Leader of the SNP in opposition (2000–2004)
[edit]2000 Leadership bid
[edit]In 2000 Alex Salmond resigned as leader of the SNP,[16][17] which triggered a leadership contest.[18][19] Swinney ran in the election against Alex Neil.[20][21] The leadership contest was dominated by internal fights in the party between Gradualists, who advocated Scottish devolution as step towards independence, and Fundamentalists, who were suspicious of devolution and supported a more radical approach.[22][23] Swinney represented the gradualist wing and Neil represented the fundamentalists wing.[24][25] Whilst both candidates supported the position of the SNP on the centre-left, Neil was seen as the more left-wing of the two, and individuals associated with the Neil campaign argued that a Swinney leadership would drag the SNP to the right.[26][27][28]
Swinney won an overwhelming majority of votes by party delegates, securing 67.1% of votes.[29] He was appointed leader at the party's conference on 16 September 2000. Roseanna Cunningham, who endorsed Swinney in the leadership race, was elected Depute Leader.[30][31][32]
Tenure
[edit]Internal party divisions
[edit]Swinney's leadership quickly came under challenge. His subdued style of debating technique was often contrasted with that of his more charismatic predecessor.[33] In 2002 Dorothy-Grace Elder, the SNP MSP for the Glasgow region, resigned her party membership after coming dissatisfied with the leadership of the SNP. She sat as an independent MSP, but Swinney called for her resignation, describing her actions as a "flout [of] the democratic will of the people of Glasgow".[34] Margo MacDonald, a fundamentalist within the SNP, voiced her lack of confidence in Swinney's leadership. MacDonald was placed fifth in the Lothians region for the 2003 Parliament election in the SNP's candidate selection, effectively ending her chances of being re-elected as an SNP MSP.[35] In protest, she ran instead as an independent candidate and was later expelled from the party.[36]
In 2003 a former parliamentary candidate and a party activist in the Shetland Islands Brian Nugent announced that he was forming his own pro-independence party, the Scottish Party, which eventually relaunched itself as the Free Scotland Party, in response to what he perceived to be an overly pro-EU stance by the SNP.[37][38]
2001 UK and 2003 Scottish elections
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/John_Swinney_in_Scottish_Parliament_debate.jpg/220px-John_Swinney_in_Scottish_Parliament_debate.jpg)
Swinney led the SNP through a poor election result at the 2001 UK General election.[39] The party failed to take any of their target seats and saw the loss of one of their MPs, reducing their representation at Westminster from six to five. In the Perth constituency, the Scottish Conservatives were 50 votes behind the SNP.[40][41] Although the SNP's vote share remained the second-largest party, behind Labour, their vote share fell by 2%.[42] Swinney's predecessor, Salmond, stated "consolidating as the second party in Scotland is no mean achievement" and highlighted it put the SNP in a good position for the upcoming Scottish Parliament election in 2003.[43] Following the results of the election, Swinney admitted there were "lessons to learn" and ensured the SNP would be the "principal opposition party in Scottish politics".[44]
In the 2003 election, the SNP performed poorly in yet another election, with the party's vote share dropping by 4.9%.[45] They lost eight of their seats they had gained in the previous election under the leadership of Salmond. Despite a poor result, this was also mirrored by the Scottish Labour Party, who lost six MSPs and their vote share dropped by 4.2%.[46] The SNP remained the second-largest party at Holyrood. The decline in support for the SNP was viewed by some as a rejection of the case for Scottish independence, however, the only parties which increased their representation in that election were the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) and the Scottish Green Party, both of which also support independence.[47][48]
2003 leadership challenge
[edit]Following the results of the 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Bill Wilson, a party activist, became convinced that a change of direction was needed by the SNP leadership.[49] After discussing this with various SNP members, he was persuaded to contest the leadership himself and launched a challenge against Swinney.[50] Wilson ran a campaign attacking Swinney's proposals for party reform, which he claimed would centralise power and impoverish local branches. Wilson also challenged Swinney to a series of debates, although Swinney refused to take part.[51][52]
The election was yet another fight between the party's fundamentalists and gradualists, with Wilson attacking Swinney's proposal for a referendum on independence before pursuing negotiations with the British government. Wilson argued that as soon as the SNP can form a government it should pursue negotiations to end the union.[53]
The election was held at the party's 69th annual conference, and saw Swinney winning a massive victory over Wilson.[54] Moves in support of Wilson's proposition of pursuing independence negotiations without a referendum were thrown out at the party conference, and Swinney won significant policy battles over imposing a monthly levy on party MPs, MSPs, and MEPs. In a surprise result, the new central membership system was also approved.[55] The membership changes had been a key issue of attack from Wilson.[53] Soon afterwards, the party's National Executive Committee decided to suspend and then expel Campbell Martin. He had backed Wilson's leadership challenge and had continued to be overtly critical of Swinney's leadership, resulting in disciplinary action.[56] This was the last SNP election to use the delegate voting method. Future elections would be based on a one-person-one-vote postal vote system.[57]
Scottish independence
[edit]In September 2003 he urged SNP activists to ask the public, "Do you want independence, yes or no? And then tell the Brits to get off." A spokesman for Scottish Labour condemned the Swinney's use of language and said, "There is no place in Scotland for his brand of extreme nationalism."[58]
2004 European Parliament elections
[edit]Though retaining its two seats at the 2004 European elections, in a smaller field of 7 (Scotland up until then had 8 MEPs) the Scottish press and certain elements within the fundamentalist wing of the Party depicted the result as a disaster for the SNP putting further pressure on Swinney to resign.[59][60]
Resignation
[edit]After the results of the 2004 European Parliament election, senior figures within the SNP began privately briefing against Swinney. Gil Paterson, a former MSP for Central Scotland, was the first to call for Swinney's departure, with Michael Russell, a former potential campaign manager for Swinney calling for a change in approach from the SNP.[61] Members of the SNP shadow cabinet began privately discussing removing Swinney from the leadership, and Alex Salmond advised Swinney to resign in exchange for senior party figures not calling openly for his resignation.[62] On 22 June 2004, Swinney resigned as leader of the Scottish National Party, triggering a leadership contest.[63][64][65] He was succeeded by Alex Salmond after winning more than 75% of votes against Roseanna Cunningham and Michael Russell on a joint leadership ticket with Nicola Sturgeon.[66][67][68]
SNP in opposition (2004–2007)
[edit]From 2004 until the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, Swinney sat on the SNP's opposition backbenches. He served as a convener on the Parliament's European and External Relations Committee from 2004 to 2005 and deputy convener on the Finance Committee from 2005 to 2007. Swinney was a substitute member of the Audit Committee from 2004 to 2007.[69] In September 2005, Swinney was made Shadow Minister for Finance.[70][71]
Salmond administration (2007–2014)
[edit]Finance Secretary: 2007–2016
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/John_Swinney%2C_Cabinet_Secretary_for_Sustainable_Growth_%281%29.jpg/154px-John_Swinney%2C_Cabinet_Secretary_for_Sustainable_Growth_%281%29.jpg)
In the 2007 election to the 3rd Scottish Parliament, the SNP emerged as the largest party, with one seat more than the governing Scottish Labour.[72][73] Initially the SNP proposed coalition talks with the Scottish Liberal Democrats, however, they declined and instead Swinney led coalition talks with the Scottish Greens.[74] After an agreement, Salmond was appointed first minister of Scotland and he appointed Swinney as the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in his first minority government.[75]
As response to Swinney not notifying the Scottish Parliament that he had let the Scottish Variable Rate lapse due to not funding this tax mechanism, the Scottish Parliament voted to censure him and called his actions "an abuse of power".[76] Subsequently, a freedom of information request showed that even if Swinney had funded the mechanism, problems and delays in the HM Revenue & Customs computer system made any collection of the tax impossible. The Scottish Government added, "The power has not lapsed, the HMRC simply does not have an IT system capable of delivering a ten-month state of readiness."[77][78]
2007–2008 financial crisis
[edit]As Finance Secretary, Swinney was faced with the 2007–2008 financial crisis, which resulted in the Scottish economy entering recession.[79] The Scottish economy began to gradually slow in 2007 as a result of stock market concerns regarding the U.S. housing market. Scottish economic output fell for four consecutive quarters before a slight recovery in Q3 in 2009, before falling again by the end of 2009.[80] Swinney advocated that at the start of the 2008 financial crisis, the Scottish Government and Swinney as finance secretary "acted swiftly to provide an immediate capital stimulus to Scotland's economy at the start of the 2008 financial crisis. As a consequence, Scotland's experience of recession has been shorter and shallower than the rest of the UK".[81]
Deputy First Minister of Scotland (2014–2023)
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/First_Minister_Nicola_Sturgeon_and_Deputy_First_Minister_John_Swinney.jpg/220px-First_Minister_Nicola_Sturgeon_and_Deputy_First_Minister_John_Swinney.jpg)
Following the defeat of the Yes Scotland campaign in the 2014 referendum, Salmond resigned as leader of the SNP and Swinney was seen as a likely candidate in the leadership race, however, he "unreservedly" ruled himself out for a second bid as leader and endorsed Nicola Sturgeon.[82][83][84] Sturgeon was elected unopposed as leader and was subsequently appointed First Minister of Scotland.[85][86] On 21 November 2014, Sturgeon appointed Swinney as Deputy First Minister.[87] He remained as Finance Secretary in Sturgeon's new cabinet.[88][89]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/Meeting_of_new_Scottish_Cabinet%2C_2016.jpg/220px-Meeting_of_new_Scottish_Cabinet%2C_2016.jpg)
Education Secretary: 2016–2021
[edit]In the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, the SNP lost its overall majority, but remained the largest party with Sturgeon securing a second term as first minister.[90][91] She reappointed Swinney as deputy first minister, and for the first time in nine years, he was reshuffled from his roles as Finance Secretary to Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.[92][93]
Educational performance
[edit]After the 2017 General Election saw the SNP lose 21 seats, pollster Professor John Curtice told the BBC that the party's record on education had likely dented its popularity: "The SNP may want to reflect that their domestic record, not least on schools, is beginning to undermine their support among those who on the constitutional question are still willing to support the Nationalist position."[94]
In March 2020, after the results of Scottish students dropped in maths and science in the international PISA rankings for education, Swinney admitted, "There is progress to be made in maths and science."[95] Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Liz Smith said: "These two areas are so critical to the success of much of Scotland's modern economy. We should be doing so much better."[96]
2020 SQA exam controversy
[edit]In August 2020, Swinney was subject to a vote of no confidence in Parliament, with the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats all accusing Swinney of creating an exam results system which "unfairly penalised pupils at schools which had historically not performed so well".[97] During the No Confidence debate, Nicola Sturgeon described him as "one of the most decent and dedicated people in Scottish politics", while The Herald newspaper reported that: "Mr Swinney endured a deeply uncomfortable hour in the Holyrood chamber, as opposition MSPs said he had been a serial failure at the education portfolio, and he knew it."[98] The motion was defeated by 67 votes to 58 resulting in Swinney surviving the vote and remaining as Scottish Education Secretary.[99][100]
Vote of no confidence
[edit]In March 2021 Swinney was the subject of a second motion of no confidence.[101] As the minister in charge of liaising with the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints, Swinney twice refused to publish legal advice requested by the committee.[102][better source needed] After two votes in Parliament failed to persuade him to publish the advice, opposition parties announced a motion of no confidence in him.[102] Swinney u-turned and published the advice; the Scottish Greens declared they would not support the motion of no confidence and it was defeated by 65 votes to 57.[102]
Attainment gap
[edit]A report by Audit Scotland in March 2021 concluded that the results of Swinney's efforts to reduce the poverty related attainment gap in Scottish education were "limited and [fell] short of the Scottish Government’s aims. Improvement needs to happen more quickly and there needs to be greater consistency across the country." In 10 Scottish council areas the attainment gap between the richest and the poorest children increased.[103]
Covid Recovery Secretary: 2021–2023
[edit]Following the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, Scottish Labour urged Sturgeon to replace Swinney as Cabinet Secretary for Education, citing what it called "a litany of failures", in the "hope a new minister can stop the rot."[104] On 18 May, Sturgeon announced Swinney would continue as Deputy First Minister but would be reshuffled to the new cabinet role as Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery.[105]
Following Sturgeon's resignation in February 2023, Swinney announced on 2 March 2023 that he was standing down from his position as Deputy First Minister. He stated that it had been an "honour to serve Scotland".[106] In March 2023, Swinney moved to the SNP's backbenches and served as a member of the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee.[107][108] He spent the duration of Humza Yousaf's premiership on the backbenches.
First Minister of Scotland (2024–present)
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Court_of_Session_%2853706130477%29.jpg/220px-Court_of_Session_%2853706130477%29.jpg)
2024 leadership bid
[edit]Following Yousaf's resignation in April 2024 amid a government crisis, Swinney launched his leadership bid on 2 May, after Kate Forbes, who was a serious contender to become leader, dropped out and endorsed him.[109]
Graeme McCormick announced he would challenge Swinney for the leadership, saying he had the 100 nominations on 5 May.[110] Just hours later, he withdrew and endorsed Swinney, who became the presumptive nominee.[111]
On 6 May, with no other candidates put forward, Swinney was elected as party leader unopposed.[112] He said that he would work with Scottish unionists as leader.[113]
Tenure
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/First_Minister_meets_President_of_Zambia_%2853801344532%29.jpg/220px-First_Minister_meets_President_of_Zambia_%2853801344532%29.jpg)
Swinney was officially sworn into office as first minister of Scotland on 8 May 2024 at the Court of Session in Edinburgh after receiving the Royal Warrant of Appointment by King Charles III.[114][115]
Swinney's early premiership was marked by the resolution of the Michael Matheson iPad scandal: the SNP MSP Michael Matheson had incurred a £11,000 bill after taking a Parliamentary iPad while on a family holiday, and had attempted to claim the bill back on expenses before admitting that the iPad had not been used for work purposes. Swinney refused to support the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee's proposed sanction on Matheson, describing Matheson as a "friend and colleague" who had "made mistakes", and casting doubt on the integrity of the committee's process: describing the process as "prejudiced", Swinney claimed that Conservative MSP Annie Wells should have removed herself from the committee due to previous comments about Matheson's conduct. Swinney's support for Matheson was described as "incredible and indefensible" by the Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross, and "unbelievable and embarrassing" by the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Swinney directed the SNP to abstain on the parliamentary vote on the committee's recommendations, after introducing an amendment re-iterating Swinney's complaints about the investigation into Matheson. The Scottish Parliament subsequently voted in support of the committee's proposed sanction, banning Matheson from the Scottish Parliament for 27 days and withholding his salary 54 days, the heaviest sanction ever awarded to an MSP.[116][117]
Cabinet
[edit]The majority of Swinney's cabinet were previously part of Yousaf's previous governments. The only addition to the cabinet was Kate Forbes replacing Shona Robison as Deputy First Minister of Scotland, and taking part of Màiri McAllan's responsibility for economy into her portfolio as Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic.[118] Robinson was, however, re-appointed by Swinney as Finance Secretary with additional responsibility for local government, with McAllan appointed as the reduced portfolio of Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy.[119]
Constitution
[edit]Swinney claimed that he believed that Scottish independence could "be achieved in the next five years" as a result of Brexit consequences on Scotland and the Scottish economy, as well as the cost of living crisis. In an interview with Sky News, Swinney said "if we look at two of the biggest issues we face as a country in Scotland; the effect of the cost of living and the implications of Brexit. Both of those are major strategic factors that are doing severe economic and social damage to Scotland because of bad decisions taken in Westminster. And independence is the answer to that".[120]
Gender Reform Bill
[edit]Early into his premiership, Swinney faced questions from opposition parties regarding the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill which had been introduced by Shona Robison and was blocked by the UK Government using a Section 35 order under the terms of the Scotland Act 1998. Swinney claimed that "the Supreme Court has said that we can't legislate in that area and we can't take forward that legislation".[121]
2024 UK election
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/First_Minister_meets_Prime_Minister_%2853840421342%29.jpg/220px-First_Minister_meets_Prime_Minister_%2853840421342%29.jpg)
In July 2024, Swinney and his party contested all 57 Scottish seats for the 2024 United Kingdom general election. The SNP went into the election as the largest party at Westminster from Scotland, having won 48 out of 59 seats at the 2019 United Kingdom general election.[122] Following the results of the 2024 United Kingdom general election in Scotland, the SNP became the second largest party in the UK Parliament representing Scottish seats, having won 9 seats, losing a total of 39 seats across Scotland.[123] Across the United Kingdom, the results saw a Labour Party landslide victory, and similarly in Scotland, Scottish Labour became the largest party representing Scottish constituencies at Westminster.[124]
Following the results, Swinney said that the outcome of the election in Scotland was "very, very difficult and damaging". High profile SNP MPs lost their seats in the election, including Kirsten Oswald, Tommy Sheppard, Alison Thewliss and Joanna Cherry.[125] On 7 July 2024, newly elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer travelled to Edinburgh on the first stop of his tour of the four countries of the United Kingdom and met with Swinney at the official residence of the First Minister, Bute House. During the meeting, both Swinney and Starmer agreed to "work together" and to "reset the relationship between their two governments".[126]
Political positions
[edit]In September 2022, amid the death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, Swinney stated that the monarch should remain head of state of an independent Scotland.[127] In May 2024, during an interview with Sky News, Swinney claimed that he believed that Scotland could become independent "in the next five years" as a consequence of Brexit and the cost of living crisis.[128] In May 2024, Swinney described himself as following a "moderate centre-left agenda".[129]
Personal life
[edit]![John Swinney with his family in 2024](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Court_of_Session_%2853707469110%29.jpg/220px-Court_of_Session_%2853707469110%29.jpg)
Swinney was married to Lorna King from 1991 to 1998. They had two children: Judith and Stuart. The couple divorced in 1998 after the Daily Record revealed King had an affair with a married nursery teacher.[130] The marriage was subsequently annulled by the Roman Rota in order that Swinney be allowed to marry in the Catholic Church, to which his second wife belongs.[131]
In 2003, Swinney married Elizabeth Quigley, a BBC Scotland News reporter.[132] Quigley was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000.[133] In 2010, she gave birth to Swinney's third child, Matthew.[134][135] They live near Blairgowrie in Perth and Kinross.[136]
Swinney is a member of the Church of Scotland and has described himself as "a man of deep Christian faith".[137] However, he has clashed with his party colleague Kate Forbes due to her religious views (Forbes is a member of the Free Church of Scotland, a smaller and more conservative religious group).[138]
Swinney was appointed to the Privy Council on 10 July 2024, entitling him to be styled "The Right Honourable" for life.[139]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Previously titled Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth from 2007 to 2011; Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth from 2011 to 2014; and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy from 2014 to 2016
- ^ Swinney was acting Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy during the maternity leave of Kate Forbes from 2022 to 2023.
References
[edit]- ^ "Mr John Swinney (Hansard)". api.parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 21 July 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ "John Swinney will love Edinburgh trams – father". The Scotsman. 22 May 2013. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ Death certificate of Agnes Weir Swinney, 2020, Edinburgh, Central 734/ 462 – National Records of Scotland
- ^ Fraser, Gemma (30 March 2010). "School's Victoria Cross hero honoured at memorial move". The Scotsman article. Edinburgh: The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
- ^ "World War II". 5 March 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ "News | The Scotsman". www.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 30 December 2007. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ "Deputy First Minister". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ "The Scottish Parliament , John Swinney". 2 May 2006. Archived from the original on 2 May 2006. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "John Swinney". Scottish National Party. 5 September 2018. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ Young, Andrew (11 May 1983). "TV-am may have the morning off". The Herald. Glasgow. p. 1. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ "History – Young Scots for Independence". YSI. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ "John Swinney". The Guardian. 25 March 2001. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ "UK Parliament > MPs and Lords > Find MPs > Mr John Swinney". parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ "FM hails John Swinney as 'nicest guy in politics' as he hits 25-year milestone". The National. May 2022. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "John Swinney". 19 August 1999. Archived from the original on 19 August 1999. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "Salmond stuns SNP with decision to quit". The Guardian. 18 July 2000. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ "Salmond resigns after 10 years as SNP leader". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ "SNP contenders fight for party's soul". The Guardian. 16 September 2000. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ "Scramble to lead SNP as Salmond quits". www.telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ "High noon for Swinney". The Guardian. 23 July 2000. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "SNP | Tussle for the top". BBC News. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ "David Torrance: The great SNP divide". HeraldScotland. 15 June 2015. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ "SNP's radical wing threatens to split party". The Guardian. 6 May 1999. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ "SCOTLAND | SNP leadership contest clearer". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "SNP | Tussle for the top". BBC News. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "SNP | Alex Neil: My message". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ "SNP | Nationalists air their views". BBC News. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ "SNP | Attention turns to key SNP ballots". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "Emphatic SNP win for Swinney". BBC News. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ "SCOTLAND | SNP members take sides". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Correspondent, Fraser Nelson Scottish Political. "SNP leader snubbed by rival". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
{{cite news}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^ "In Depth | Conferences | SNP | Backroom boy moves to the fore". BBC NEWS. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "John Swinney". The Guardian. 25 March 2001. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "MSP quits nationalists". 2 May 2002. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "Nationalists quit in Margo protest". BBC News. 17 July 2002. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "Margo expelled from SNP". BBC News. 28 January 2003. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "Brian Nugent Archives". The Shetland Times. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ Times, Shetland (6 June 2016). "Vote leave to stop the EU super state, says campaigner Nugent". The Shetland Times. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ Mitchell, James (1 December 2001). "The 2001 general election: The view from Scotland". Representation. 38 (3): 243–248. doi:10.1080/00344890108523186. ISSN 0034-4893. S2CID 153430975. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "Gain but still pain for Tories". 8 June 2001. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "Scots produce few poll surprises". 8 June 2001. Archived from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "Scots parties reflect on historic election". 8 June 2001. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "Salmond hails poll standing". 8 June 2001. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "Lessons for SNP". 10 June 2001. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "VOTE 2003". BBC News. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "Scottish Labour retains power – just". The Guardian. 2 May 2003. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "Analysis of Results". 17 July 2020. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "Election result: Your reaction". 2 May 2003. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "SNP lose out at the polls". 2 May 2003. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "Swinney will defend leadership". 25 July 2003. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "Leadership challenger slams Swinney". 14 August 2003. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ Mitchell, James; Bennie, Lynn; Johns, Rob (2012). The Scottish National Party: Transition to Power. OUP Oxford. p. 39. ISBN 978-0-19-958000-2. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ a b Campbell, Kirsten (27 September 2003). "SNP leader looks to the future". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2 July 2004. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
- ^ "Swinney secures victory". BBC News. 27 September 2003. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "Swinney wins first reform battle". 23 April 2004. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "Nationalists throw out rebel MSP". 10 July 2004. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ Quinn, Thomas (7 February 2012). Electing and Ejecting Party Leaders in Britain. Springer. ISBN 978-0-230-36278-9. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "Swinney: Now is time to tell Brits to get off". The Scotsman. 27 September 2003. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ Scott, Kirst (15 June 2004). "SNP snub is little comfort for Scots Labour". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Macleod, Angus. "Swinney puts leadership on line in SNP Euro campaign". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "Euro poll was breaking point for Swinney". The Scotsman. 23 June 2004. Archived from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "Euro poll was breaking point for Swinney". The Scotsman. 23 June 2004. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ "Under-fire SNP leader resigns". 22 June 2004. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "SNP leader resigns after poor Euro poll results". The Guardian. 23 June 2004. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "Swinney tells of the moment he left the burden of leadership behind". HeraldScotland. 24 June 2004. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ "Salmond named as new SNP leader". 3 September 2004. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "1 July 2004". 30 June 2004. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ "Russell joins SNP leader battle". 28 June 2004. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ "John Swinney". www.parliament.scot. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ Macleod, Angus. "Swinney returns in reshuffle". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ "Swinney back on SNP's front bench". 5 September 2005. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ "2007 Election Results". www.parliament.scot. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ "SNP wins historic victory". The Guardian. 4 May 2007. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ "SNP tipped to bring in Greens for minority rule" Archived 23 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Edinburgh Evening News, 11 May 2007
- ^ "Salmond announces his new cabinet". BBC News. 16 May 2007. Archived from the original on 2 April 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2007.
- ^ "John Swinney says sorry over tax power giveaway". Telegraph.co.uk. 24 November 2010. Archived from the original on 27 November 2010.
- ^ Barnes, Eddie (16 January 2011). "UK taxman killed off Tartan Tax". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ UK taxman killed off Tartan Tax Archived 19 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Dark times for Scots economy". The Guardian. 23 November 2008. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
- ^ Institute, Fraser of Allander (24 October 2018). "Scotland's economy: ten years on from the financial crisis…". FAI. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Scottish government 'building boom' promised". BBC News. 19 December 2012. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "John Swinney rules out SNP leadership". www.scotsman.com. 27 July 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Nicola Sturgeon launches campaign to succeed Alex Salmond". The Guardian. 24 September 2014. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Scottish ministers 'back Sturgeon as next first minister'". BBC News. 21 September 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Nicola Sturgeon confirmed as next leader of the SNP". The Guardian. 15 October 2014. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Sturgeon sworn in as first minister". BBC News. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Swinney is Sturgeon's new deputy". ITV News. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Nicola Sturgeon announces Scottish cabinet with equal gender balance". The Guardian. 21 November 2014. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Nicola Sturgeon announces new Scottish cabinet". BBC News. 21 November 2014. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Scottish Parliament election 2016 results". BBC News. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Nicola Sturgeon confirmed as Scottish first minister". The Guardian. 17 May 2016. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Scottish cabinet reshuffle: John Swinney becomes education secretary". BBC News. 18 May 2016. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ^ "Who is in the 2016 Scottish cabinet?". BBC News. 18 May 2016. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ Henderson, Barney; Johnson, Simon (8 June 2017). "Scotland election results: Alex Salmond defeated and SNP suffer huge losses as Tory chances boosted north of the border". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 9 June 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ McQuillan, Rebecca (11 March 2020). "Scottish education still envy of world, says John Swinney – interview". Holyrood Website. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ "Pisa: Mixed report for Scottish education in world rankings". BBC News. 3 December 2019. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ "Education Secretary John Swinney faces no-confidence vote". BBC News. 12 August 2020. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
- ^ "Swinney survives no confidence vote after being branded a serial failure". HeraldScotland. 13 August 2020. Archived from the original on 22 February 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ Peterkin, Tom (13 August 2020). "John Swinney survives vote of no confidence as SNP and Green MSPs ride to his rescue". Press and Journal. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ "Limited progress made on closing Scotland's attainment gap say auditors". Holyrood Website. 23 March 2021. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ "John Swinney survives vote of no confidence at Holyrood". BBC News. 10 March 2021. Archived from the original on 15 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ a b c McCall, Chris (10 March 2021). "John Swinney survives vote of no confidence as Greens back Deputy First Minister". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ^ "School attainment gap 'remains wide', watchdog warns". BBC News. 23 March 2021. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ Healey, Derek (18 May 2021). "Nicola Sturgeon must drop 'failing' John Swinney as education secretary, says Scottish Labour". Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "John Swinney to be minister for Covid recovery". BBC News. 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ "Scotland's deputy first minister John Swinney to stand down". BBC News. 2 March 2023. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ "'It's the right choice': John Swinney reflects on 'mentally taxing' last eight months". The National. 25 March 2023. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Session 6 Criminal Justice Committee". www.parliament.scot. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "John Swinney looks set to be first minister as Kate Forbes backs him". BBC News. 1 May 2024. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ "SNP leadership: Veteran activist in bid to stop John Swinney's coronation". The Herald. 5 May 2024. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ "SNP leadership challenger Graeme McCormick pulls out of race". Sky News. 5 May 2024. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Cochrane, Angus (6 May 2024). "John Swinney wins SNP leadership unopposed". BBC News. BBC. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Sanderson, Daniel (6 May 2024). "John Swinney says he'll work with unionists after becoming SNP leader". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ "New First Minister nominated". www.gov.scot. 7 May 2024. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "John Swinney sworn in as Scotland's first minister". BBC News. 8 May 2024. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
- ^ "Swinney will not support Matheson ban over £11,000 iPad bill". BBC News. 23 May 2024. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Matheson given record Holyrood ban over iPad scandal". BBC News. 29 May 2024. Archived from the original on 4 June 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "Deputy First Minister stands down". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
- ^ "New Scottish Cabinet". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
- ^ "Scotland's new leader John Swinney: Gender recognition reforms 'cannot be implemented'". Sky News. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Scotland's new leader John Swinney: Gender recognition reforms 'cannot be implemented'". Sky News. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ "Results of the 2019 General Election - BBC News". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ "SNP loses 'damaging' 38 seats so far as final result delayed". BBC News. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ "Scotland election live: Labour celebrates after gains from SNP as Conservative leader Douglas Ross loses seat". BBC News. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ "Scotland election live: Labour celebrates after gains from SNP as Conservative leader Douglas Ross loses seat". BBC News. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ "Keir Starmer and John Swinney vow to work together despite 'differences'". BBC News. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ Davidson, Peter; Shanks, Ciaran (12 September 2022). "Independent Scotland would keep King Charles as head of state, says John Swinney". Aberdeen Live. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
- ^ "Scotland's new leader John Swinney: Gender recognition reforms 'cannot be implemented'". Sky News. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ Brooks, Libby (6 May 2024). "John Swinney declares 'new chapter' as he becomes SNP leader". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ "Maybe Lorna was never cut out to be a boring old MP's wife. – Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Archived from the original on 25 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ "Swinney has first marriage annulled for RC wedding". The Herald. 26 July 2003. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024.
- ^ "Biography | John Swinney MSP". www.johnswinney.scot. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ Quigley, Elizabeth (19 July 2008). "Living life with multiple sclerosis". BBC News. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022.
- ^ "Arrival of baby Matthew thrills John Swinney and wife". The Scotsman. 23 October 2010. Archived from the original on 25 August 2022.
- ^ "Baby boy joy for the Swinneys". Daily Record. 25 October 2010. Archived from the original on 25 August 2022.
- ^ StreetBlairgowrie, 17–19 Leslie; Ph10 6ah (5 September 2018). "John Swinney". Scottish National Party. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Forrest, Adam (6 May 2024). "Who is John Swinney? SNP veteran and Sturgeon loyalist facing new challenges". i. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024.
- ^ Katrine, Bussey (22 February 2023). "SNP leadership contest: John Swinney 'profoundly' disagrees with Kate Forbes religious stance". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "List of Business – 10 July 2024" (PDF). Privy Council Office. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official website
- John Swinney on X
- Scottish Parliament profiles of MSPs: John Swinney
- Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by John Swinney
- John Swinney
- 1964 births
- Living people
- Alumni of the University of Edinburgh
- Deputy first ministers of Scotland
- First ministers of Scotland
- Finance ministers of Scotland
- Leaders of the Scottish National Party
- Scottish politicians
- Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Scottish constituencies
- Members of the Scottish Cabinet
- Members of the Scottish Parliament 1999–2003
- Members of the Scottish Parliament 2003–2007
- Members of the Scottish Parliament 2007–2011
- Members of the Scottish Parliament 2011–2016
- Members of the Scottish Parliament 2016–2021
- Members of the Scottish Parliament 2021–2026
- People educated at Forrester High School
- Politicians from Edinburgh
- Scottish monarchists
- Scottish National Party MPs
- Scottish National Party MSPs
- Scottish nationalists
- UK MPs 1997–2001
- Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom