Swinney rules out SNP cabinet reshuffle before 2026 election
'I have no intention of reshuffling my team before the election,' Mr Swinney said. 'I made that clear when Mairi McAllan returned to cabinet in May. At that point, I decided actively and purposefully that I had people of experience and expertise in a number of roles which would help me deliver the government's programme before the election.'
His remarks come at a time when speculation has been mounting about whether the SNP might attempt a refresh.
The First Minister argued any significant shake-up of the cabinet would be counter-productive, forcing ministers to spend valuable months finding their feet rather than pressing ahead with government priorities.
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'If I put in a whole list of new faces,' he said, 'it would have taken a while to bring them up to the level of experience and knowledge that I already have focused in the cabinet. I believe stability is the best way to achieve what we have set out to do.'
Since taking over the leadership, Mr Swinney has sought to present himself as a steady hand at the helm, in contrast to the turbulence of recent years within the SNP and the Scottish Government.
Mairi McAllan's return to the cabinet earlier this year as housing secretary was one adjustment Mr Swinney made to his cabinet since taking office.
Discussing Ms Sturgeon's memoir, Mr Swinney said: "Undoubtedly, and I've not read Nicola's book, it does chart an absolutely fascinating period in Scottish political history. One that will delight some people and really, really annoy a whole rang of other people."
A significant amount of senior SNP MSPs are stepping down including Mr Swinney's deputy first minister Kate Forbes and former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf.
Speaking about the loss of SNP colleagues at the event on Tuesday evening, Mr Swinney said: "I regret the loss of a number of my colleagues because they are stepping down with a lot of experience...I'll miss them.
The first minister singled out Ms Forbes' decision to step down, saying he "very much regrets" her loss, however, added he "very much understands" her reasons for stepping down for family reasons.
Mr Swinney also highlighted the "climate is tough" in particular for young women in scottish politics.
He added: "Particular for younger women the climate is pretty horrendous. Social media endurance is hard to bare for some and it leads public service to look pretty unattractive."
Although the First Minister said he tries to be an "ally" to colleagues experiencing abuse, he "ultimately cannot protect people from what is going to happen" on online spaces and "appalling behaviour."
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Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Scotland takes on record levels of asylum seekers – amid calls for migrant hotel crackdown & protests loom
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Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 A record number of asylum seekers are now staying in Scots hotels Credit: Andrew Barr 7 Susan Aitken told how a 'rainy day' fund used to cope with the surge had now run dry Credit: Les Gallagher 7 Council chiefs in Scotland's biggest city admit they're buckling under the pressure Credit: PA 7 Hampton by Hilton in Westhill now caters for refugees whose claims are being assessed Credit: Newsline Media Council chiefs in Scotland's biggest city admit they're buckling under the pressure of being the UK's asylum seeker capital — and have begged for extra funding. Residents in Glasgow face council tax rises and cuts to public services to plug a £60million budget shortfall as they struggle to accommodate a surge of new refugees. Home Office figures released show asylum applications across the UK in the 12 months to this June hit an all-time high of 111,084. 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Tory MSP Annie Wells said: 'SNP councillors in Glasgow need to accept reality. 7 Tory MSP Annie Wells said SNP councillors in Glasgow "need to accept reality" Credit: Getty 7 The Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk was the scene of recent protests Credit: Andrew Barr 7 Protesters from Save Our Future & Our Kids Future demonstrate against uncontrolled immigration Credit: Getty 'Their cash-strapped authority cannot afford to continue with this increasingly expensive policy. 'Citizens are fed up with pothole-plagued roads and filthy streets. They don't want to pay even more in council tax, to get less in return. 'This is after a housing emergency was declared in the city more than 18 months ago.' Ex-Tory councillor Thomas Kerr, who defected in January to Reform UK, hit out: 'Enough is enough. 'Glasgow is at breaking point, the numbers prove it. SNP and Labour have sold out our own people and put others first time and again.' 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Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
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STV News
5 hours ago
- STV News
Swinney urges Starmer to recall Parliament over ‘genocide' in Gaza
Sir Keir Starmer has been challenged to recall Parliament so the 'toughest and most severe sanctions available' can be imposed on Israel in the wake of reports of attacks on Gaza City. Palestinians are said to be fleeing the area after the Israeli military began the first stages of a planned ground offensive. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the need to 'reach immediately a ceasefire in Gaza', as he warned of the 'massive death and destruction that a military operation against Gaza would inevitably cause'. Scottish First Minister John Swinney meanwhile made clear his view that Israel's actions in Gaza 'amount to genocide', adding that 'the ground invasion of Gaza City only intensifies it'. He said: 'This latest action by Israel is an outrageous and unacceptable escalation which must be a further wake-up call to the international community. 'We must see serious action to hold Israel to account for this unjustifiable brutality and inhumanity.' He said the attacks will mean 'more innocent Palestinians are going to die', adding: 'What was already an intolerable level of human suffering will get worse, and we are getting even further away from securing a peace. 'I have made clear our grave concerns that Israel's actions in Gaza constitute genocide and today's offensive is only going to intensify the suffering we are seeing. 'The international community cannot look away from this – there must be a concerted global effort to put a stop to Israel's action, secure a ceasefire and hold (Israeli) Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu and his government to account.' He urged the British Prime Minister to recall MPs to Parliament so action can be taken. Mr Swinney demanded: 'Prime Minister Keir Starmer needs to recall the UK Parliament immediately so the toughest and most severe sanctions available can be imposed on Israel, and all UK arms sales to Israel ended. 'Every ounce of international influence the UK may have must be used towards putting an end to Israel's assault.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
