Swinney’s steadying hand is one I’ll be reaching out to grab
SHIFTS in leadership can often herald new eras of promise and challenge. John Swinney’s ascension to SNP leader and first minister is certainly a time of promise – but a promise with an ask.
His leadership is gathering us to an assembly point and as someone who has consistently demonstrated steadfast leadership, Swinney’s plea, “Unite for Independence”, isn’t just a slogan – it’s a call to all who envision a sovereign Scotland to remember what we are all in this for. Reflecting on this moment in time, it’s clear that John’s bid to lead was never about political continuity, a slight which the opposition would love folk to believe.
It is about harnessing collective wisdom and experience to propel us toward our national ambitions. With a General Election on the horizon and the ongoing discourse surrounding independence, his approach of seasoned leadership is precisely what we need to steer the conversation towards substantive, uniting goals. It’s a steady welcoming hand I will certainly be reaching out to grab.
John’s long-standing service and previous tenures in various capacities have not only earned him respect across the political spectrum but also solidified his reputation as a leader capable of bridging divides. This ability to cultivate consensus is more than a political skill, it’s a foundational quality that can help stabilise our movement during choppy times.
The concept of being a “broad church” movement has always brought its challenges and we have never disputed that. We recognise that diversity of thought and approach can lead to friction.
But with clear, non-negotiable boundaries that safeguard our core values and protect the most vulnerable, compromise within our ranks can lead to a stronger, more resilient coalition.
John’s leadership style, which emphasises unity and collective action, is geared towards embracing this diversity without losing sight of our shared goals. Throughout history, the power of unity in politics to advance a cause has been demonstrated, while divisions within movements have often led to their failure.
For example, leaders of the American civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, such as Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks and many others, brought together people from diverse backgrounds and ideologies under a shared goal of racial equality and justice.
The Indian independence movement against British colonial rule is another classic example of unity in diversity. Mahatma Gandhi and others, despite having different ideologies and strategies, came together under a common cause. This unity was pivotal in galvanising a vast and diverse population across different regions, languages and religions.
A great example of grassroots empowerment was, of course, the French Revolution – but its fragmentation provides a stark lesson in how internal divisions can derail a movement. Initially united against the monarchy, the revolutionaries soon splintered into factions, each with differing views on the direction of the revolution.
Looking at perhaps more extreme outcomes, the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s shows us how internal divisions can lead to severe consequences. The federation was made up of various ethnic groups and religions, which, under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito, had co-existed relatively peacefully. However, after Tito’s death, nationalist sentiments surged, and leaders from different republics pursued conflicting interests.
THESE examples are profoundly important to learn from, and to recognise that while unity can harness collective strength towards a common goal, leading to positive change and cohesion, division can lead to instability, conflict, and regression in political movements.
At this moment, unity is more than a strategic advantage for the independence movement – it is a necessity. Amid sometimes unsettling public discourse, our detractors and cynics lie in wait, eager to capitalise on any sign of discord.
The distasteful cartoon depicting SNP leaders highlights the type