What's happened
John Swinney is set to become the new leader of the SNP unopposed, succeeding Humza Yousaf. Former finance secretary Kate Forbes decided not to run and is supporting Swinney. Potential challenger Graeme McCormick withdrew his bid after securing nominations.
Why it matters
John Swinney's uncontested leadership of the SNP marks a significant shift in Scottish politics. With no other candidates running against him, Swinney's leadership is expected to bring stability to the party after a period of turmoil. The decision by Forbes and McCormick not to contest the leadership further solidifies Swinney's position, potentially allowing the SNP to focus on rebuilding and moving forward.
What the papers say
According to Metro, Graeme McCormick initially secured nominations to run against Swinney but later withdrew after discussions with Swinney. Sky News highlights the avoidance of a contentious leadership contest, with both Forbes and McCormick backing Swinney. BBC News reports on McCormick's last-minute withdrawal, paving the way for Swinney to lead the SNP unopposed.
How we got here
Humza Yousaf resigned as SNP leader after just over a year in the role, leading to the leadership contest. Swinney, a former deputy first minister, emerged as the frontrunner following Yousaf's resignation. The decision by Forbes and McCormick not to challenge Swinney further solidified his path to leadership.
Common question
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Who is expected to become the new SNP leader?
With the recent resignation of Humza Yousaf as SNP leader, the spotlight is now on potential candidates for the leadership position. Let's delve into the frontrunners and the dynamics of the leadership race.
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Who is set to become the new leader of the SNP?
John Swinney is poised to take over as the new leader of the SNP unopposed, following Humza Yousaf's resignation. Learn more about the leadership transition and what it means for the party.
More on these topics
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John Ramsay Swinney is a Scottish politician serving as Deputy First Minister of Scotland since 2014 and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills since 2016.
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Humza Haroon Yousaf MSP is a Scottish National Party politician who has been Cabinet Secretary for Justice since 26 June 2018 and the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Pollok since 2016.
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The Scottish National Party is a Scottish nationalist and social-democratic political party in Scotland. The SNP supports and campaigns for Scottish independence within the European Union, with a platform based on civic nationalism.