John Swinney, who spent 16 years in various senior positions within the Scottish government until last year, is expected to launch his campaign to become the SNP leader and First Minister later today. He has already secured the support of a significant number of his party colleagues, although it is currently unclear whether he will face any opposition to his bid for the role from former Finance Secretary Kate Forbes. The two were confirmed to have met earlier this week, leading to speculation that a deal may be done to prevent a leadership contest.
Swinney, aged 60, is due to hold a news conference in Edinburgh on Thursday morning to confirm his candidacy to succeed Humza Yousaf, who announced his resignation on Monday. However, Yousaf will remain in his post until his successor is elected. Currently, only Swinney and Forbes have revealed that they are considering running to lead their party and eventually become First Minister. If it becomes a two-horse race between them, then a ballot of SNP members will be necessary. Party officials have stated that nominations will close at noon on 27 May.
Although Swinney initially said he was giving “a great deal of thought” to the possibility of running for the leadership of the SNP, senior party members such as Neil Gray, Health Secretary, Education Secretary, Jenny Gilruth, and Westminster leader Stephen Flynn have already expressed support for him should he decide to go for the role. Swinney was previously leader of the SNP between 2000 and 2004, resigning following a less-than-impressive showing in the European Elections.
Kate Forbes, who is currently an MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, has yet to announce whether she will put her name forward for the top job, although she is widely regarded as the only realistic challenger should she do so. Forbes lost out to Yousaf in the election for the SNP leadership last year by a narrow margin. However, she courted controversy during her campaign by revealing that she would have voted against gay marriage legislation as an MSP at the time due to her religious beliefs. At that time, Swinney questioned the appropriateness of somebody holding such views becoming the SNP leader.
Nominations for the SNP leadership opened on Monday and will close a week later. If more than one candidate receives at least 100 nominations from 20 local party branches, then a ballot will be held to pick a new leader. Once a new leader is chosen, Yousaf will resign as First Minister, putting parliament on a 28 day clock to nominate a new First Minister, who will then be appointed by the King. If MSPs cannot agree on a candidate in that time, then a snap election would be called
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