SNP hopeful John Swinney insists he can win however admits occasion is in a nasty place

The first candidate to put his name forward as Scotland’s next First Minister has insisted: “I’m not caretaker”.

John Swinney, who has previously led the SNP, said he intends to lead the troubled party to victory in the general election and in 2026. He spent eight years as Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy, and called on party members to get behind him to replace Humza Yousaf.

Mr Yousaf stepped down on Monday after the Scottish Government plunged into crisis when he ended a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens. It sets up the second leadership race in just over a year, with rival Katie Forbes widely tipped to stand against Mr Swinney.

Announcing his candidacy he admitted the SNP “is not as cohesive as it needs to be”. He said: “I am no caretaker. I am no interim leader. I am offering to lead my party through the Westminster elections and to lead us beyond the 2026 elections – two contests which I intend to win.”

He said he wants Ms Forbes to play a “significant part” in the team he sets up if he wins. The leadership candidate went on: “I want to unite the SNP and unite Scotland for independence.”

Mr Swinney joined the SNP as a teenager and served as an MP at Westminster before becoming an MSP when the Scottish Parliament was established in 1999. After the SNP won power in 2007, he then served in the Scottish Government for 16 years, stepping down as deputy first minister only last year when Ms Sturgeon resigned.

He was SNP leader between 2000 and 2004, but stepped down in the wake of the party’s performance in the European election that year. Mr Swinney insisted: “Having served as a senior minister for 16 years, having helped steer Scotland so close to independence in 2014, I want to give all I have in me to ensure the success of our cause. I believe I have the experience, the skills and I command the trust and the confidence of people across this country.”

Mr Swinney has already attracted significant support from his party for his bid to be its next leader – with Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray and Scottish Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth amongst his backers.