John Swinney expected to lead Scotland after becoming head of SNP

Former deputy first minister led the party two decades ago

John Swinney is expected to be named Scotland's seventh first minister after becoming head of the SNP on Monday. PA

John Swinney, Scotland's former deputy first minister, is expected to become the country’s third leader in little over a year after being confirmed as the head of the Scottish National Party on Monday.

Mr Swinney, who led the SNP two decades ago, was the only candidate to replace First Minister Humza Yousaf as party leader.

Mr Yousaf, the first Muslim leader of a western European country, resigned as Scotland's First Minister last week after facing the prospect of defeat in two confidence votes. A Glasgow-born son of immigrants from Pakistan and Kenya, Mr Yousaf was the first person from a minority ethnic background to become the First Minister of Scotland.

The move followed an abrupt end to a power-sharing agreement between his SNP and the Green Party last week, which ended with slim hopes that Mr Yousaf could lead a minority government.

“I am deeply honoured to have been elected as leader of @theSNP,” Mr Swinney said on social media platform X. “I will give all that I have to serve my party and my country.”

That ballot could take place as early as Wednesday, with Mr Swinney likely to be officially in place in at the head of the Scottish Government the following day.

Mr Yousaf congratulated Mr Swinney as his successor as SNP leader and called on the party to heed his call for unity.

“Congratulations to @JohnSwinney on becoming leader of @theSNP and FM-elect,” he wrote on X.

“John's central message has been one of unity. As a party, we must heed his call, whatever has happened in the past should remain there.

Scotland's Humza Yousaf through the years – in pictures

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf speaks during a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh, where he said he will resign as Scottish National Party chief and the country's leader. PA

Mr Yousaf speaks to the media during a visit to Dundee in April. His appearance came as Scottish opposition parties called for a confidence vote after the collapse of his power-sharing deal with the Green Party. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf holds a press conference in Edinburgh as he announces the SNP's withdrawal from the Bute House Agreement. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf joins members of the public as they attend a march in Glasgow calling for an independent Scotland, in April. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf takes part in a dance performance during a visit to DN Studios in Edinburgh in March. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf and his new cabinet pose at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh, in February. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf speaks during the launch of the SNP general election campaign at Oran Mor in Glasgow, in January. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf during Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day at the Scottish Parliament in December. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf engages with pupils during Scotland's Book Week at Craigentinny Primary School in Edinburgh, in November. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf lays a wreath during Scotland's Remembrance Sunday Event at Edinburgh City Chambers, in November. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf with his wife Nadia El-Nakla after his speech at the SNP conference in October. PA

Mr Yousaf speaking at a service of solidarity at Giffnock Newton Mearns Synagogue in October. PA

Mr Yousaf with hundreds of supporters of Scottish independence during a march in Edinburgh in September. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf outside the Court of Session in Edinburgh, after being sworn in as First Minister of Scotland in March 2023. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf signs the nomination form to become First Minister of Scotland, watched by his wife Nadia El Nakla, daughter Amal and step-daughter Maya, in March 2023. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf speaks after being elected as new Scottish National Party leader in Edinburgh, in March 2023. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf with his mother Shaaista and father Muzaffar in Glasgow as he campaigns to become the next leader of the Scottish National Party, in February 2023. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf visits Monklands Hospital in Airdrie in 2021, when he was health secretary. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf, justice minister at the time, attends a Ministerial Statement in Edinburgh in 2020. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf with Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the ruling SNP at the time, at the count for the Scottish Parliament elections in 2016 in Glasgow. Getty Images

Angela Constance and Mr Yousaf after being sworn in as Scottish MPs in Edinburgh in 2016. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf speaks during the SNP conference in Aberdeen in 2015. Getty Images

Alex Salmond, SNP leader at the time, with Mr Yousaf at the Scottish Parliament in 2011. Getty Images

“Let's get behind John & his team so they can deliver for Scotland.”

The party has been in turmoil since long-serving first minister Nicola Sturgeon abruptly stepped down last year during a campaign finance investigation that has led to criminal charges against her husband.

Mr Yousaf announced his resignation last week after a political miscalculation in which he threw the Green Party out his coalition government.

The SNP is one seat short of a majority in the devolved parliament with 63 of the 128 voting seats, so it needs to a partnership with at least one other party.

Mr Swinney, 60, who joined the party at the age of 15, said he will try to bring stability to the SNP as it fights efforts to weaken it as it prepares for UK-wide parliamentary elections expected later this year.

The Labour Party made a motion of no-confidence in Mr Yousaf that failed last week after he said he would step down.

The devolutionist SNP was weakened by the campaign finance scandal and divisions over transgender rights, but was ultimately brought down by Mr Yousaf's decision to oust the Greens because of differences over climate change goals.

Mr Yousaf was unable to persuade other parties to back his minority government in Scotland’s parliament.

Facing the prospect of two no-confidence votes that had been scheduled, Mr Yousaf quit rather than be forced out, saying he would remain First Minister until had replacement is elected.

Mr Swinney is likely to be elevated to that position later this week after potential challengers to his bid to lead the SNP said they would not run against him.