Swinney to become Scotland's next first minister
John Swinney, with his wife Elizabeth Quigley, on the steps of Bute House in Edinburgh, the official residence of the First Minister, after he was voted by MSPs to be Scotland's next first minister, succeeding Humza Yousaf who formally resigned from the post earlier on Tuesday, May 7, 2024
NEW SNP leader John Swinney is to become Scotland’s next first minister after winning a vote at Holyrood today.
Mr Swinney won the backing of 64 MSPs, with his nearest rival, Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross, picking up 31.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar secured 22 votes, with the head of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Alex Cole-Hamilton, winning four.
The new Scottish Parliament looks set to continue a cycle of managerial tinkering while public services face the axe, writes STEPHEN LOW