John Swinney vowed to give Kate Forbes a “significant” role in his government as he became the only likely candidate for SNP leader and first minister.
The veteran Perthshire MSP formally put his name forward to succeed Humza Yousaf as he seeks to unite his party.
Mr Swinney said he’s in it for the long haul, vowing to take the party through the Westminster election and the next Holyrood vote in 2026.
Launching his campaign in Edinburgh on Thursday, he paid special attention to Ms Forbes, who like Mr Swinney is a former SNP finance secretary.
He described the Highlander as an “intelligent” and “creative” person who has “much to contribute”.
“If elected I will make sure Kate is able to make that contribution,” he said.
Three hours later, Ms Forbes – who was the only other likely candidate – ruled herself out of the running.
In his wider pitch, Mr Swinney said: “I am no caretaker. I am no interim leader.
“I am offering to lead my party through the Westminster elections and to lead us beyond the 2026 elections – two contests which I intend to win for the SNP and for Scotland.
“My message is crisp and simple – I am stepping forward to bring the SNP together, deliver economic growth and social justice, to deliver the very best future for everyone in a modern, dynamic, diverse Scotland.”
He also told supporters: “I want to unite the SNP and unite Scotland for independence,” as he conceded the party is “not as cohesive as it needs to be”.
‘So close to independence’
He added: “Having served as a senior minister for 16 years, having helped steer Scotland so close to independence in 2014, I want to give all I have in me to ensure the success of our cause.
“I believe I have the experience, the skills and I command the trust and the confidence of people across this country.”
Mr Swinney is backed by senior party figures including Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, the MP for Aberdeen South.
It comes after Mr Yousaf resigned on Monday following his decision to ditch the Scottish Greens from government.
Who is John Swinney?
Mr Swinney is Scotland’s longest-serving deputy first minister and led the SNP in opposition between 2000 and 2004.
His spell in charge of the party ended in failure and he was replaced by Alex Salmond.
Speaking at his launch event today, Mr Swinney told journalists he was a “stronger” character now.
He also said his party had changed significantly in the past two decades.
He has been an MSP since the Scottish Parliament first opened in 1999, currently representing the Perthshire North constituency.
The SNP veteran served as the country’s finance secretary between 2007 and 2016, and was education chief for five years until 2021.
Mr Swinney declined to stand in the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon last year, instead returning to the backbenches.
But on Monday he told journalists he was giving “active consideration” to a leadership run this time around.
The Perthshire MSP said he wanted to talk with his family before making a final decision about standing.
In Holyrood, the contest was held up by opposition leaders as evidence of chaos in the SNP.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “They are so divided, so chaotic and so dysfunctional that they cannot now provide the stable, competent government our country needs.
“That is why we need an election.”
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: “He’s another continuity candidate pushing more of the same nationalist obsession that has damaged Scotland for more than a decade. He’s fixated on independence, not on the things that really matter.”
The nominations for SNP leadership candidates ends on Monday, but no one else has so far indicated they want a contest.
It means Mr Swinney could be the next first minister less than two weeks since Mr Yousaf sparked a crisis by announcing he was ditching the Greens from his government on April 25.
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