John Swinney has said he is giving “very careful consideration” to standing to be the next leader of the SNP in the wake of Humza Yousaf’s emotional resignation.
Mr Yousaf had been facing two votes of no confidence in the Scottish Parliament as a result of his decision to terminate the powersharing deal that the SNP had with the Scottish Greens.
But before those votes could take place, he announced he would stepping down from the post he said he had been “blessed” to have.
Just 90 minutes later, Mr Swinney, who served as Scottish deputy first minister for eight years under Mr Yousaf’s predecessor Nicola Surgeon, said he was giving “active consideration” to running for the job.
Mr Swinney, who left the role of deputy first minister when Nicola Sturgeon stepped down as first minister last year, said he had been “somewhat overwhelmed” by messages from colleagues in the SNP urging him to take on the role.
Senior figures within the SNP, including long-serving MP Pete Wishart, former Westminster leader Ian Blackford, current Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, and fellow MP Alyn Smith, have all called on him to stand.
Talk’s Kevin O’Sullivan is joined by political commentator James Melville to discuss.
Click here for more from TalkTV talk.tv
If you need any help visit: talk.tv/helplines
28 апр 2024
