SCOTTISH party leaders have begun setting out their stalls in the upcoming general election as a resurgent Labour seek to capitalise on SNP woes.

Recent surveys have shown Scottish Labour topping the polls for the first time in a decade after what has been widely regarded as the toughest year for the SNP since taking control of Holyrood in 2007.

After 25 years in Holyrood and 16 years in the cabinet, John Swinney became First Minister and the SNP’s third leader in 13 months.