John Swinney has said he will leave the Scottish Government and return to being a bank bench MSP when a successor for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is appointed.
In a tweet sent at 3pm on Thursday, March 2, Deputy First Minister John Swinney, the MSP for Perthshire North said: “After almost 16 years as a Minister, I have today written to the First Minister to say that when her successor is appointed I will leave Government. Serving Scotland has been the privilege of my life. Thank you.”
He promised that despite leaving the high profile role he has held under Nicola Sturgeon, he would “continue to faithfully represent my constituents in Perthshire North.”
In his letter to Nicola Sturgeon he outlined his reasons for stepping aside as the number two in the Scottish Government when the guard changes later this month, citing the “demanding commitments” over 16 years in office of being first in 2007 the cabinet minister with responsibility for Finance and Economy, then minister for Education and Skills and finally minister for Covid Recovery.
“These have been demanding commitments to fulfil over nearly 16 years and I have decided that, when the First Minister is appointed later in March, I will stand down from Government.”
John Swinney went on to describe how he joined the Scottish National Party aged 15 in 1979.
Describing his time in Government, the member for Perthshire North said he had “tried to listen carefully to different views and be open to ideas and thoughts.” He added “I have sought always to transform the life chances of everyone who lives here.
“I have been touched constantly by the kindness of people in Scotland and their understanding of the many challenges with which we have to wrestle in Government.”
Specifically to FM Nicola Sturgeon, he wrote: “I am indebted to you for your leadership, constancy, friendship and loyalty.”
