What Swinney said about indy

election so he could be heard. So I listened and assured him the views of party members up and down the country will be properly listened to.

The simple lesson is that dialogue can bring us to points of agreement and strength. And that is my message today to every party in the Scottish Parliament.

Focus on solutions to problems and you will find no-one more willing to listen than me. Together we can make a real difference to the lives of people in Scotland. That is the job we have all been sent to Parliament to do.

Of course, I believe this country could do more if we had the powers of a normal independent nation. The cost of living crisis and the damaging impact of Brexit are two examples of Westminster decisions that are bad for Scotland. They demonstrate why Scotland needs independence to make our own decisions and create our best future. I will always seek, with respect and courtesy, to persuade people of the case for independence. All I ask of those who oppose that vision is they also act with the same courtesy and respect.

That means independence is not a reason for them to refuse to work with us to build the economy, support jobs and improve the health service.

If elected first minister, my focus will be the economy, jobs, the cost of living. It will be the NHS, our schools and our public services. It will be addressing the climate crisis.

So to everyone in every party, to every MSP, to every MP. In fact, to everyone in our great country,

I say this: Join me. Do not let our disagreements dominate. Join me as we open a new chapter. As we create a vibrant economy in every part of our country. As we tackle the challenges faced by the NHS.

As we build on the strengths of our schools. As we build more homes. Take climate action. Improve public transport. And create jobs. That’s my job, that’s our job. And I plan to get the job done.

SCOTTISH independence didn’t feature heavily at John Swinney’s first event as SNP leader.

It’s not that it wasn’t mentioned in his speech at Glasgow University – it was. He said Scotland could “do more” with the powers of independence and that he would “always seek” to persuade people of that.

But otherwise the topic took a back seat to other issues.

“If elected first minister, my focus will be the economy, jobs, the cost of living,” he told attending party members, staff and journalists. “It will be the NHS, our schools and our public services. It will be addressing the climate crisis.”

And he continued: “Join me as we open a new chapter. As we create a vibrant economy in every part of our country. As we tackle the challenges faced by the NHS. As we build on the strengths of our schools. As we build more homes. Take climate action. Improve public transport. And create jobs.”

But no mention in that list of independence – a stark omission. Instead, the veteran politician particularly highlighted the need for internal party unity and focusing on domestic policy priorities.

Of course, Swinney’s focus on unity makes a lot of sense. Nothing can be built on shaky foundations and bringing in a figure with the experience of Swinney should steady the ship.

The longest-serving deputy first minister the Scottish Parliament has ever seen and a past SNP leader between 2000-04 – “been there, done that” springs to mind.

Already, his move to commit to bringing Kate Forbes more into the fold should go some way in bringing together the left and right of the party. Swinney also said in his speech that he believes the fact he was the only

JOHN Swinney responded to criticism over him being the sole candidate to put themselves forward to be SNP leader.

In the wake of Humza Yousaf’s resignation, Swinney quickly emerged as a favourite among senior figures.

It was also reported that former leadership contender Kate Forbes would run for the role, but opted not to after meeting with Swinney.

Then at the weekend, grassroots activist Graeme McCormick revealed he aimed to run, and believed he could hit the threshold of 100 nominations from 20 branches. But after he and Swinney had a discussion, McCormick withdrew late on Sunday night, leaving Swinney as the sole candidate to stand demonstrates the SNP is “coming back together again”.

While the power-sharing agreement with the Greens is no longer in place, Swinney will need all that experience as he is forced to lead a minority government at Holyrood.

He will have to work with other parties in the Scottish Parliament on an issue-by-issue basis if he wants legislation to be passed by Holyrood.

He acknowledged as much in his speech, saying: “We need to stop shouting at each other and talk.”

And when he first announced he was running for the SNP leadership, Swinney said his party must now “work to seek common ground in the Scottish Parliament in the interests of the public and of good governance”.

That Scottish Labour and the Scottish Tories will take up that offer of a more civil and collaborative politics rather than attempting to turn the screw – especially going into a General Election – seems unlikely, particularly when the former are still calling for an early Holyrood election.

With the Scottish Greens, the SNP should still find a willing partner on most issues, particularly on proposed legislation – from the Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill to bans on conversion therapy – which was put forward during their time in government.

Time might be the most pressing issue the new SNP leader is faced with. While a date has yet to have been set, the General Election is approaching with the polls putting Labour and the SNP neck and neck in Scotland.

Swinney has the tough task to unite his party, place emphasis on the SNP’s domestic policy priorities, and work “very, very hard” to win back independence supporters. And the latter may prove the most decisive come General Election time.

“Scotland wins when the SNP wins,” Swinney said in his speech. But the SNP also wins when indy supporters are firmly behind the party. candidate when the ballot closed at midday yesterday, making him the party’s new leader.

Among independence supporters, there has been criticism of the lack of contest – and opposition parties including the Scottish Conservatives have described Swinney’s appointment as a “stitch-up”.

In his acceptance speech in Glasgow, Swinney said: “I know there is controversy for some that I am the only candidate.

“For me, the fact that I am the only candidate demonstrates the Scottish National Party is now coming back together again. I promised I would create an inclusive and unified team. And I will do that.”