JOHN Swinney has vowed to remain as First Minister of Scotland until 2031 — if SNP win the Holyrood election next year.
Swinney took over the top job in 2024 after the resignation of Humza Yousaf.
Swinney returned after a year-long “sabbatical” — as he describes it — following his nine-year tenure as deputy first minister to Nicola Sturgeon.
At the time, SNP was slipping in the polls but recent polls predict Swinney is on track to lead a pro-independence majority in 2026.
When asked by the Sunday Mail if he would remain in office following the election, Swinney said: “That would be my plan. That’s what I’m intending to do dependent obviously on the judgement of voters.
“I decided not to stand for the party leadership when Nicola Sturgeon stood down because I felt I needed to move on. I was very tired, mentally and physically and I was leaving office really quite happily.
“But I benefited for the 12 months that followed. I never really understood the benefit of a sabbatical before that but I emerged feeling strong and with a new perspective on the job.
“I think people probably look at me today and see a different character in the way I am handling things.”
The First Minister also said he could win a majority, unlike when he led the SNP from 2000 until 2004, admitting he wasn't ready to lead at that point in his career.
He said: “Experience is fundamental. I have now served in a number of very demanding senior government roles and I also have the benefit of that year out of the front line which gave me the time to reflect.
“When I became First Minister I didn’t have much time to think about it. I had a very abrupt decision to make. I made it as quickly as I could, but since then I’ve had the opportunity to draw on all of what I learned and I know I did the right thing.”
Addressing Operation Branchform, which the party is still waiting on the outcome of, Swinney said: “The party today is recovering. We’ve had big setbacks, the General Election in July was a real blow to us.
“But I am determined to respond in a dignified and considered way that is focused on the future and where the party’s heading.”
He also told the paper he speaks regularly to Sturgeon: “Yes, we keep in touch yes.”
