Who is John Swinney? The SNP veteran tipped for the top job
The longest-serving deputy first minister has said he is ‘actively considering’ running for SNP leader.
news.stv.tvHere’s the latest on John Swinney’s first minister vote.
Overview: John Swinney has been re-elected as Scotland’s first minister following Holyrood votes, with multiple rounds needed to secure the appointment. This aligns with SNP leadership taking the helm in the Scottish Government after the recent Holyrood elections. [BBC, Sky coverage from May 19, 2026; multiple outlets cite the same outcome][1][3]
Key points from the latest reporting:
Context and what it means going forward:
If you’d like, I can pull together a concise timeline of the key votes and provide a quick-read summary of Swinney’s stated priorities and the expected cabinet lineup. I can also share direct links to the latest articles from BBC, Sky News, and STV for deeper reading.
The longest-serving deputy first minister has said he is ‘actively considering’ running for SNP leader.
news.stv.tvScotland's seventh First Minister has been voted through by MSPs at the Scottish Parliament.
news.stv.tvJohn Swinney wins Holyrood vote to be Scotland's first minister
www.bbc.co.ukJohn Swinney has been re-elected as Scotland's first minister and has vowed to "work every day to repay the trust" the nation's people have placed in him.
news.sky.comThe SNP leader is to be formally sworn in on Wednesday before he chooses a new cabinet.
www.bbc.comFollowing his victory in the SNP leadership race on Monday, Mr Swinney faced a vote at the Scottish parliament to confirm him as Humza Yousaf's successor.
news.sky.com