John Swinney
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Since the report from several years ago was published, the Government has presided over the passage of legislation to rationalise that area of activity. Work is under way to transfer the responsibility for the funding of further education student support from the Scottish Funding Council to the Student Awards Agency Scotland.”
“I appreciate the urgency of the general policy elements of the question, because a number of applications are now being considered by planning authorities. My view is that, given the concerns that have been expressed by planning authorities, the Government has to be responsive to the issue.”
“For as long as we do not have a proper strategy on prison capacity, rehabilitation and clearing the court backlog, early release will be a revolving door, with people going in, coming out and going back into our prisons. Our justice system is in crisis, so we need a strategy.”
“I associate myself unreservedly Mr Cole-Hamilton’s comments about the feelings in the Muslim community. On Monday, I visited the Broomhouse mosque along with Simita Kumar and the Annandale Street mosque in Edinburgh with Ben Macpherson.”
“The development of further guidance will be undertaken in a manner consistent with the ruling by Lady Ross. Malcolm Offord: I thank the First Minister for his answer, which was more comprehensive than I expected.”
“I am a huge supporter of apprenticeship programmes. With foundation apprenticeships and graduate apprenticeships, the Government has brought forward important reforms that create new and successful pathways for young people. I am determined to make sure that every young person has that desirable pathway for their future.”
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“Scotland has a part to play here, in our own actions to reduce emissions, but also, and more so, through our expertise and innovation and through our ability to export carbon-free electricity. In those ways, we can help other nations to reduce their carbon emissions, too. Scotland may be small by some standards, but our contribution has always been great and our ambition even greater. Let us be clear: given all the horrifying consequences of climate inaction, there is no fair future for our country or for our planet— there is no prosperous or secure future for either— if we do not take the necessary steps to make our nation carbon neutral once and for all.”
“We have made progress, and we should be proud of that progress, but we must now redouble our efforts so that child poverty can be eradicated from our land—eradicated because our public services are working together effectively to support those in greatest need, because our economy is growing and new resources are becoming available to invest, and because of targeted interventions to increase income, reduce cost and create new opportunities for work and learning. There is fairness also because we are resolute in our determination to pass on to the next generation a land that is more resilient in the face of climate change. Climate change and its effects remain the greatest challenge that our planet faces.”
“I include fairness because we will not rest until every child in Scotland has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of the circumstances into which they were born. That is a big ambition, but child poverty has been a scourge in Scotland for far too long. It has been a weight around our necks, holding us back as a society, because too many people are unable to reach their full potential. Let us be absolutely clear: to have such deep, intergenerational poverty in a land of such plenty is morally wrong.”
“Because we know the challenges that many renters experience in our society and the struggles that they face as they seek to take the first step on the housing ladder, we will be there to offer a helping hand, with support for first-time buyers of up to £10,000 towards their deposit. Those are policies with the real-world needs of our citizens at their heart—policies that will make life easier for many and our nation fairer for all— with fairness through a progressive taxation system and a compassionate social security system, both of which are possible because of new powers gained by the Parliament in recent years. The more powers that we have—and there will be more—the more we can achieve.”
“We will legislate to help people with the cost of the weekly shop, so that hard-pressed households can have the peace of mind that a basket of healthy essentials for their kids and their family will be available at a fair, affordable and reliable price. Greater national prosperity will be felt directly by the people we serve, and it will be underpinned by our pledge to deliver more, and more flexible, childcare and the provision of additional, more targeted support through an increase in the Scottish child payment to £40 a week for babies under one. Raising children takes not only love but time and money. I give this clear promise to Scotland’s young families: you have a Government that is determined to help ease the burden and give you that bit more breathing space.”
“Scotland has what it takes to prosper in the decades to come, and Scotland has a Government that is determined to make that happen. Our programme is for a more prosperous Scotland, but it is not about wealth generation for its own sake. Under my leadership, this is and will always be a social democratic Government. That means that wealth creation will be for a purpose—to make our nation fairer, with those with the least given a helping hand by those with the most. Greater prosperity will be felt in people’s pockets, including through driving our commitment to cap bus fares at £2 nationwide to help people to get to work or get into town more affordably.”
“Have no doubt that Scotland knows what it means to lead the world. We were at the forefront of the industrial revolution thanks to our wealth of natural resources, thanks to a spirit of enterprise and an openness to the world, and thanks to a skilled and determined workforce with a pride in the many wonders of engineering that those workers produced. As we stand at the beginning of a new age of economic transformation, Scotland has the necessary resources, with an abundance of clean, green energy; we have the innovators, thanks to world-class research universities; and we have a workforce with practical and technical skills, and young people who are among the very best educated in Europe. This new technological revolution is made for Scotland to succeed in sectors such as biotech, space, precision engineering, fintech and more.”
“We will invest in essential infrastructure: necessary road improvements, including the dualling of the A9 and the A96, which we have committed to complete; new stations; and the ongoing electrification of our rail network. There will also be investment of £4.9 billion to build thousands more homes—homes that people can afford. We will expand our successful Techscaler programme to new sectors—such as the creative industries, food and drink, climate and agricultural technologies, advanced manufacturing and space technology—and we will introduce a new national network of pre-start centres to support our brightest and best to test and refine their ideas before progressing to the Techscaler programme. We will also establish a high-growth unit to identify and support businesses with the potential to grow—and to grow significantly.”
“I want to reimagine the state as an enabler, with overly complex and cumbersome bureaucracy removed and unnecessary regulation that gets in the way of investment and job creation simplified. Regulation serves a vital purpose but, to work, it must be regulation that protects and permits— regulation that provides pathways, not obstacles, to investment, opportunity and growth. At the outset of this parliamentary session, I want to emphasise the centrality to the Government that I lead of achieving higher levels of sustainable economic growth. To do so, we will invest in our young people, who are the source and foundation of future success, and we will empower our educators. We will put in place 150,000 apprenticeships, teacher-pupil ratios will be kept the best in the UK, and more schools and colleges will be rebuilt or upgraded.”
“Prosperity, fairness and security—as we begin the new journey of this new session of our nation’s Parliament, those will be my watchwords. I want greater prosperity for our nation, with a relentless focus on supporting innovation, on enterprise and on doing all that we can to maximise Scotland’s productivity and increase our levels of sustainable economic growth. That will mean rethinking the structures of the state, with more strategic regions empowered to make the most of the many economic opportunities and advantages that they enjoy—and there are many: diverse and vibrant cities, the breathtaking beauty of our landscape, fertile farmland, iconic industries and resource-rich seas.”
“This was a cost of living election—that was the number 1 issue for voters across Scotland—so I give this guarantee: I will be a First Minister focused on the cost of living, leading a Government that is on the side of fairness—a Government that will work to deliver a fair deal for all in our land who struggle to make ends meet. The Government is ambitious for Scotland because we have a vision that can truly transform our nation and its prospects—the one real change that can take us from more than a decade of political chaos and economic stagnation within the United Kingdom to greater security and prosperity as an independent member state of the European Union. That is the fresh start that Scotland so badly needs, and it is the future that this Parliament can endorse today.”
“During the election, I promised a Scottish Government that works for Scotland, and that is what I will deliver. I will be a First Minister for all Scotland, leading a Government that is always on Scotland’s side. It will be a Government that is ambitious for Scotland with a stronger national health service, building on the progress that has already been made in order to make it even easier for our fellow citizens to access NHS services when they need them. It will be ambitious for Scotland with the best cost of living support in the United Kingdom protected and expanded and with new ways to help our fellow Scots with their weekly costs.”
“I therefore ask Parliament to approve the appointments today. I move, That the Parliament agrees that Ivan McKee and Stephen Flynn be appointed as Scottish Ministers. That the Parliament agrees that Stephen Gethins, Hannah Mary Goodlad, Jamie Hepburn, Simita Kumar, Kirsten Oswald and Alison Thewliss be appointed as junior Scottish Ministers. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, First Minister. I call Meghan Gallacher to speak to and move amendment S7M-00109.1. You have up to five minutes. 14:40”
“With polls showing that support for independence in Scotland is now in the majority, and with pro-independence First Ministers in office in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, the constitutional question is reaching a tipping point here and across these islands. Put bluntly, successive Westminster Governments have tried to wish support for self-determination away, and, as the result of the election demonstrates, they have failed to do so. My entire Government, led by me, is committed to continuing to build support for Scottish self-government. In our daily actions to improve our public services and our economy, all of us are preparing for Scotland to become independent. All those ministers, like me, are ready to get to work to deliver and to make the change that people in our society want, need and expect to see.”
“She will take on the crucial role of Minister for Equalities and International Development, a portfolio that is of deep personal importance to me. Finally, I am delighted to welcome the newly elected MSP for Shetland, Hannah Mary Goodlad, to the Government as Minister for Public Finance. Hannah Mary Goodlad has extensive experience in the private sector and, in her new role, she will support both the Deputy First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Public Sector Reform. As First Minister, I have decided to take on direct ministerial responsibility for constitutional matters. The election result on 7 May, in which the largest- ever number of pro-independence MSPs was elected, makes it clear that people in Scotland desire constitutional change.”
“Given the importance of the energy brief, in particular, Stephen Gethins will report directly to me as the Government continues to make the case for Scotland’s energy being in Scotland’s hands. Kirsten Oswald is an experienced parliamentarian, and I am delighted that she will now use her skills and experience in my Government as Minister for Victims and Community Safety. Alison Thewliss has been a formidable and tenacious advocate for Scotland in the House of Commons and has led the way in fighting against the UK Government’s despicable rape clause. I am pleased that she will now take up the role of Minister for Community Care. Simita Kumar is new to Parliament but is an experienced hand as a diligent champion of her community in local government.”
“I am pleased that Tom Arthur, Siobhian Brown, Jim Fairlie, Ben Macpherson and Maree Todd will continue to serve in the Government. They have each made significant contributions to government in recent years, and I am confident that they will continue to do so. Jamie Hepburn will return to the Government as Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans, having served ably in that and other ministerial roles in the past. I am also delighted to welcome a number of new members of the ministerial team. Stephen Gethins has served Scotland with distinction at Westminster and has been an important voice on international affairs in Scotland. He will take on the new role of Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy.”
“Gillian Martin will continue her good work in the climate action portfolio, building on the climate change plan that the Government published at the end of the previous session. She will now add responsibility for rural affairs to her brief. Lastly in Cabinet, Shirley-Anne Somerville will continue her outstanding work on driving my personal mission of the eradication of child poverty in Scotland. Under her leadership, child poverty in Scotland is falling and stands significantly below levels in the rest of the United Kingdom. She will take on responsibility for the housing portfolio, recognising the inescapable link between housing and social justice, and she will continue the work of Màiri McAllan in tackling the housing emergency. I now turn to the junior ministers whom I propose for appointment.”
“Neil Gray, who has been instrumental in delivering falling waiting times in our NHS, alongside the network of general practitioner walk- in clinics, will become justice secretary, continuing the Scottish Government’s work to keep people safe, which is the first duty of any Government. Màiri McAllan has served with distinction in all her responsibilities, most recently in the crucial housing brief. I am delighted that she will now take on the vital role of Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic. She will put her talent, drive and determination to work in delivering the expansion of early learning and childcare and continued improvements in Scottish education. Nurturing Scottish culture is fundamental to who we are, and that responsibility will also be taken forward by Màiri McAllan.”
“A number of other cabinet secretaries returned to Cabinet, in recognition of their strong track record of delivery, but with new responsibilities. Angela Constance has made an outstanding contribution as justice secretary, dealing with the great challenges in our prison system as well as introducing landmark changes to support victims and witnesses in the justice system. I welcome Angela Constance to the role of Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care, in which her formidable expertise will be deployed to ensure that the national health service meets the needs of members of the public.”
“Jenny Gilruth will work particularly closely with Ivan McKee, who will take on the crucial new Cabinet role of Cabinet Secretary for Public Sector Reform. Ivan McKee will lead on ensuring that Scotland’s public services are effective and making efficient use of public funds. I have seen, up close, how we can dramatically improve outcomes by changing how we organise services—for instance, with the change in our approach to delivering whole family support. That will be the focus of Ivan McKee’s work. Stephen Flynn joins the Cabinet with responsibility for the economy, tourism and transport. Marrying those three important roles together is a recognition of how developing Scotland’s economy and improving our connectivity go hand in hand.”
“A number of my appointments have already served in ministerial office. First, I am delighted that Jenny Gilruth has agreed to serve as Deputy First Minister. Over a number of years, Jenny Gilruth has proven herself to be a highly capable minister, dealing with a number of challenging responsibilities. She has demonstrated her ability to work across party lines and with our partners in local government, most notably by averting teacher strikes earlier this year. As part of her cross-Government role, the Deputy First Minister will hold the crucial finance brief, with responsibility for securing agreement each year on the Scottish budget. I know that she will continue in that spirit of cross-party collaboration.”
“I thank all those who have served in the Government in Scotland, and I wish all of them the very best for the future. Turning to today’s appointments, I made it clear during the election campaign that I would lead a Government that is resolutely focused on the key challenges that Scotland faces. From eradicating poverty to tackling climate change and to growing the economy, those issues span our society. No one area of Government can solve them in isolation; it takes the whole of our Government and all of us working together to achieve that objective. That principle follows the design of the Cabinet that has been put in place—leaner, but with greater purpose, co-ordination and effectiveness because of that, ensuring a clear focus on our long-term outcomes, which are underpinned by collaboration across Government.”
“Richard Lochhead has been a friend to Scotland’s businesses, particularly small businesses, and was a long-serving rural affairs secretary in the Scottish Government. Natalie Don-Innes passionately championed children’s rights over her three years in office. By leading major reforms of the children’s care system last year, she helped to ensure that Scotland keeps the Promise. Kaukab Stewart led the Government’s national equalities and inclusion work and managed her portfolio with grace and empathy, both of which have been needed more than ever in the equalities agenda. Jenni Minto led on public health and women’s health and was a champion of both. She led on the Government’s health plan and the miscarriage patient charter, and on community and preventative measures in health. I thank her warmly for her service.”
“Fiona Hyslop delivered significant improvements in the transport network, began the extension of early learning and childcare, championed our culture sector and represented Scotland to the world for more than a decade. Mairi Gougeon was the driving force behind legislation to protect wildlife, support our farming and rural communities and ensure that our food system is fair, healthy and sustainable. Angus Robertson ensured that Scotland remains close to Europe and active in global politics, and that we protect and support our culture and arts. Graeme Dey helped to bring the 26th United Nations climate change conference of the parties—COP26—to Glasgow and to deliver free bus travel for under-22s, and, on two occasions, he capably steered the Government’s programme through Parliament.”
“Before I turn to the substance of the motions, I will recognise those members of the previous Government who are leaving office. Former Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has had a distinguished career as the first female finance secretary. She has also delivered many significant measures to boost the Scottish economy, from her work to secure investment in Scotland to the creation of our Techscaler programme to support Scotland’s start-ups and entrepreneurs. Shona Robison spearheaded the Commonwealth games and the Ryder cup, served as Deputy First Minister and concluded her career by commandingly leading three budgets through our Parliament.”
“It is the greatest privilege of my life, and I promise to work every day to repay the trust that the people of Scotland have placed in me. [Applause.] The Presiding Officer: That concludes the selection of a First Minister. Urgent Question 15:46”
“All too often in Parliaments, I have watched members celebrate when bold proposals are blocked, seemingly for political expediency rather than for any substantial concerns. There was a time when even I thought that negative politics worked into the bargain. However, I stand here today, having won a resounding mandate from the people of Scotland, because, in this election, my party offered a vision of hope, ambition and optimism. Now, I offer to work across party lines to deliver our agenda. By electing a Parliament of minorities, the people have given us a specific instruction to work together. Voters value co-operation among their politicians; they want to see more of it and, in this session of Parliament, I will work to see more of it, too. I gratefully accept the opportunity to serve as First Minister.”
“At the dawn of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament, I am now one of only four members from the original class of 1999; of course, Presiding Officer, you are also one of that class. From that vantage point, I offer this reflection to the many new members. This is a very exciting time in any Parliament. We all rightly feel the privilege of having been chosen by the people of Scotland to represent them, and we are all full of anticipation for the exciting journey that lies ahead. However, it will not be long before we have to return to the people to explain to them what we have done for them. If there is one thing that I have learned over my years in public service, it is this. When the five-year term ends, it is those who can look their constituents in the eye and say that they have achieved things for them who win re-election.”
“The election result proves that the people of Scotland believe that theirs is a country of boundless potential—a country that can be more prosperous, more equal and more confident in her future; a country of fair, well-paid work and of vibrant, multicultural, safe communities; a country that cares for its natural resources and sees the transition to clean energy as both an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity; and a country that puts our collective prosperity back into the communities that work for it. The people of Scotland want Scotland to realise that potential and they have tasked us with working together to make that the case. Presiding Officer, the idea of working together is where I conclude my remarks today.”
“They want a more secure and a more prosperous independent nation, one in which decisions are made not in Westminster but here in Scotland. My Government will continue to seek to abide by those wishes, and again I look forward to working with many in the chamber to do so. However, independent or not, I want to make one thing clear to Parliament and the public today. I will work to be a First Minister for all of Scotland—a First Minister who works to bring people together with a strong sense of national purpose. The country that I seek to build is a country where everyone feels accepted and able to contribute to our national story; a country where we seek to bring communities together; a country where we act to heal division; and a country where we seek to find common ground.”
“One in two of my fellow members is new, and I recognise that, although my party is by far and away the largest in the chamber, we do not have a majority on our own. However, I remain firmly of the view that, when we engage in constructive dialogue, we are capable of tremendous progress. I believe that I can achieve a majority for every ambition that I have for this Parliament, and I look forward to working with many here to do so. That, of course, includes the question of Scotland’s constitutional future, on which I recognise there are profound differences of opinion, but the people have now elected the largest pro-independence majority in the history of devolution. The Scottish people have yet again made their wishes known, loud and clear.”
“I have ambitious goals for this parliamentary session—to ease the cost of living crisis by expanding on what is already the best package of support in the United Kingdom; to ensure that the NHS is protected and easy to access, always there for people when and where they need it; to ensure cohesion in our communities; to protect our environment, grow our economy and create opportunity across the country; and to make concrete, tangible differences that people can see and feel in their homes, communities and day-to- day lives. I look forward to working with members in this chamber to achieve all of those goals. I am aware that we will be working in a very different session of Parliament to the ones that have preceded it.”
“However, today is very different from the moment when I stood here two years ago to accept office as First Minister. I stand here at the start of a new session of Parliament with a resounding personal mandate from the people of Scotland. I offered the people of Scotland reliable, trusted and experienced leadership in turbulent times, and today I pledge to provide that to my country. The people have chosen a Government that is firmly on their side—a Government that listens to them and turns their personal priorities into national ones, and a Government that acts decisively on the breadth and scale that are needed to meet those challenges. That is the kind of Government that I intend to lead.”
“Every day, I am supported in what I do by my wife, Elizabeth, who demonstrates a strength, a tenacity and a determination in the face of increasing adversity and challenge that is awe inspiring. Elizabeth’s approach to life is, of itself, a very valuable example of how to act to any First Minister, especially her First Minister. I literally cannot offer myself to be the First Minister of Scotland without the sacrifices that Elizabeth is prepared to make, and I acknowledge and thank her for that this afternoon. [Applause.] Today, I feel many of the same emotions as I did when I first became First Minister two years ago— the same sense of humility and the same profound awareness of the weight of responsibility and the remarkable privilege of holding this office.”
“Public service demands much of us all and, as we begin this parliamentary session, I pay tribute to the commitment of all members in being prepared to serve the people of Scotland. Although we volunteer for this task, we do so knowing that our public service has an implication for those close to us. I am immensely grateful to all those who have helped me to reach this point today, of whom there are too many to mention, but a large number of whom are here in the gallery today. A particular burden is carried by my family, who, as Alex Cole-Hamilton mentioned, might reasonably have expected me to be slightly more available for them than I am these days. To each of them, I express my thanks for their love and support.”
“It is a profound honour to accept Parliament’s nomination for the office of First Minister. I thank Parliament for its support and I thank the leaders of the Opposition parties for the generous comments that they have made. I realise that they will have their criticisms to make; I am sure that there will be many of them in the years to come. However, I also look forward to working collaboratively with others to advance the interests of the people of Scotland, and I will cover more of that in what I will say today. I commit myself today to upholding the standards and ideals of this Parliament, as I have done throughout the 27 years in which I have had the privilege to serve as a member of this Parliament, and to leading a Government that meets the aspirations of the people who sent us here.”
“The first vote in this round is for Russell Findlay. Members who wish to cast their vote for Mr Findlay should vote yes now. Again, members have 60 seconds in which to do so. Members voted. The Presiding Officer: The voting time has ended. Any member who believes that they were unable to cast their vote for Russell Findlay should advise that they wish to make a point of order. The second vote is for Gillian Mackay. Members who wish to cast their vote for Gillian Mackay should vote yes now. You have 60 seconds in which to do so. Members voted. The Presiding Officer: The voting time has ended. Any member who believes that they have been unable to cast their vote should advise that they would like to make a point of order.”
“Votes for Alex Cole-Hamilton For Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD) Chou Turvey, Yi-pei (North East Scotland) (LD) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh North Western) (LD) Dijkstra-Downie, Sanne (Edinburgh Northern) (LD) Dunlop, Duncan (South Scotland) (LD) Green, David (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (LD) Harley, Adam (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD) MacCallum, Morven-May (Highlands and Islands) (LD) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) Rennie, Willie (Fife North East) (LD) Votes for Russell Findlay For Briggs, Miles (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Votes for Gillian Mackay For Bruce, Holly (Glasgow Southside) (Green) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Duane, Iris (Glasgow) (Green) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Kinross-O’Neill, Kayleigh (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Leask, Kristopher (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Green) Manivannan, Q (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) McKee, Cara (West Scotland) (Green) Moodie, Laura (South Scotland) (Green) Nevens, Kate (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Edinburgh Central) (Green) Votes for Malcolm Offord For Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform) Bland, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Currie, Victor (Highlands and Islands) (Reform) Kerr, Thomas (Glasgow) (Reform) Kirkwood, David (South Scotland) (Reform) Langan, Jamie (South Scotland) (Reform) Lindsay, Amanda (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) MacDougall, Julie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Massey, Duncan (North East Scotland) (Reform) McDade, Helen (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Offord, Malcolm (West Scotland) (Reform) Ross, Angela (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform) Schmulian, Kim (Glasgow) (Reform) Simpson, Graham (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Simpson, Mark (North East Scotland) (Reform) Smith, David (West Scotland) (Reform) Votes for Anas Sarwar For Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Fagan, Joe (South Scotland) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Long, Joe (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) MacKinnon, Donald (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (Lab) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Sangster, Katherine (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab) Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Young, Jenny (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Lab) Votes for John Swinney For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP) Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North) (SNP) Black, Dawn (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Bonnar, Steven (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Bouse, Gary (Falkirk West) (SNP) Brown, Alan (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Campbell, Kate (Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent) (SNP) Campbell, Michelle (Renfrewshire North and Cardonald) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Day, Martyn (Falkirk East and Linlithgow) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Flynn, Stephen (Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine) (SNP) Gethins, Stephen (Dundee City East) (SNP) Ghani, Zen (Glasgow Cathcart and Pollok) (SNP) Gibson, Patricia (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Goodlad, Hannah Mary (Shetland Islands) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie) (SNP) Hagmann, Katie (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen and Cambuslang) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Kerr, Alex (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) Kerr, Calum (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Kumar, Simita (Edinburgh South Western) (SNP) Linden, David (Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Easterhouse and Springburn) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Melville, Lloyd (Angus South) (SNP) Merrick, Colm (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Middleton, Jack (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mitchell, Laura (Moray) (SNP) Oswald, Kirsten (Eastwood) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) Smith, Alyn (Stirling) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stafford, Pauline (Bathgate) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thewliss, Alison (Glasgow Central) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) The Presiding Officer: As Mr Cole-Hamilton received the fewest votes, he will be eliminated from the election and a further round of voting will take place with the following candidates: Russell Findlay, Gillian Mackay, Malcolm Offord, Anas Sarwar and John Swinney.”
“14:48 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: In that round of voting in the selection of the Parliament’s nominee for First Minister, the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows: Alex Cole-Hamilton 10, Russell Findlay 12, Gillian Mackay 15, Malcolm Offord 17, Anas Sarwar 17, John Swinney 57, Abstentions 0.”
“I meant to say Anas Sarwar. The next vote is for John Swinney. Only members who wish to vote for John Swinney should take part in this vote, by voting yes. No other members should vote. Members who wish to vote for John Swinney should vote yes now. Members have 60 seconds in which to vote. Members voted. The Presiding Officer: The voting time has ended. Any member who believes that they were unable to cast their vote for John Swinney should advise that they would like to make a point of order. There were no abstentions. That concludes this round of voting. There will now be a brief suspension while the votes are verified. 14:45 Meeting suspended.”
“Members who wish to vote for Malcolm Offord should vote yes now. Members have 60 seconds in which to vote. Members voted. The Presiding Officer: The voting time has ended. Any member who believes that they were unable to cast their vote for Malcolm Offord should advise that they would like to make a point of order. The next vote is for Anas Sarwar. Only members who wish to vote for Anas Sarwar should take part in this vote, by voting yes. No other members should vote. Members who wish to vote for Anas Sarwar should vote yes now. Members have 60 seconds in which to vote. Members voted. The Presiding Officer: The voting time has ended. Any member who believes that they were unable to cast their vote for Malcolm Offord should advise that they would like to make a point of order. I am sorry—that was a Freudian slip.”
“Any member who believes that they were unable to cast their vote for Russell Findlay and wishes to do so should advise that they wish to make a point of order. The next vote is for Gillian Mackay. Only members who wish to vote for Gillian Mackay should take part in this vote, by voting yes. No other members should vote. Members who wish to vote for Gillian Mackay should vote yes now. You have 60 seconds in which to vote. Members voted. The Presiding Officer: The voting time has ended. Any member who believes that they were unable to cast their vote for Gillian Mackay should advise that they would like to make a point of order. The next vote is for Malcolm Offord. Only members who wish to vote for Malcolm Offord should take part in this vote, by voting yes. No other members should vote.”
“Only members who wish to cast their vote for Alex Cole- Hamilton should take part in this vote, by voting yes. No other members should vote. Members who wish to vote for Alex Cole-Hamilton should vote yes now. You have 60 seconds in which to vote. Members voted. The Presiding Officer: The voting time has ended. Any member who wished to vote for Alex Cole-Hamilton and believes that they have been unable to cast their vote should advise that they would like to make a point of order. The next vote is for Russell Findlay. Only members who wish to cast their vote for Russell Findlay should take part in this vote, by voting yes. No other members should vote. Members who wish to vote for Russell Findlay should vote yes now. Again, you have 60 seconds in which to vote. Members voted. The Presiding Officer: Voting has now closed.”
“I hope that that will be a lesson to all of you in this chamber as we move forward. Before we move to the vote, there will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system. I urge all members to have their cards inserted in the consoles to enable them to vote. 14:30 Meeting suspended. 14:35 On resuming— The Presiding Officer: I remind members that they must vote once only and must use only their yes button in the voting app when voting. Once the voting for candidates is completed, members who have not voted for a candidate will be given the opportunity to vote to abstain by pressing their yes button. I will announce the result once all votes have been cast and verified. The first vote is for Alex Cole-Hamilton.”
“In that respect, I welcome the substance and tone of Mr Sarwar’s comments. That is what Scotland needs of us at this moment: not simply debate, but delivery; not simply difference, but progress. Ultimately, it is by that progress that we will all be judged. Presiding Officer, I am ready to lead a Government that meets this moment with clarity, energy and purpose; a Government that takes action; a Government that delivers; and a Government that is always on Scotland’s side. With the mandate that we have been given, with a clear plan for the work ahead, and with a determination to deliver for the people of Scotland, I ask for the support of this Parliament to serve as Scotland’s First Minister. The Presiding Officer: I thank each of our six candidates. They were all very well behaved; none of them was over time.”
“This Parliament contains people with strongly held and sometimes very different views, but I am confident that there exists in this Parliament a majority for all the policy proposals that I put forward in the election. The challenge for me, which I will readily accept if I am elected as First Minister, is to work in ways that enable that majority to emerge. In addition to setting out the policy direction of the Government that I offer to lead, I also set out a willingness to work with others in this Parliament to seek agreement on measures that will improve the lives of people in Scotland. Over my years in this Parliament, I have seen this chamber rise to that challenge. Yes, we can disagree robustly, but we can also still work together to deliver for the people of Scotland.”
“The people have again returned a pro- independence majority to this Parliament—the largest such majority ever elected. They have said with a resounding voice that decisions about Scotland’s future should be taken here, in Scotland. I will ensure that the people have the right to decide on their own future. That is the agenda that I offer the people of Scotland. It is ambitious, it is practical and it is ready to be delivered in this new Parliament with a new mandate and a Government that is determined to get on with the job. I recognise that no Government delivers alone, and that is certainly true of a Government that, alone, does not command a majority in the Parliament.”
“The Government that I lead will work to build a Scotland where families are supported through the cost of living crisis and where the pressures that they face are eased, not ignored; a Scotland with a strong modern national health service that is accessible, resilient and there for the people when they need it; a Scotland where businesses grow, good jobs are created and economic opportunity exists in every part of our country; a Scotland with safe communities and secure energy; a Scotland that leads the way in clean renewables, protecting our environment and turning our natural advantages into lasting prosperity; and a Scotland that is fairer, where we reduce poverty, tackle inequality and ensure that prosperity is shared. The Government that I lead will also press for the future of Scotland to be decided by the people of Scotland.”
“Events in Westminster and across the world continue to impact here at home, and many people are feeling the strain in their everyday lives. This Parliament and this Government must meet the moment—not with incremental change, but with a clear sense of direction and an agenda that matches the ambition that people have for this country. Scotland is a country of enormous strength and opportunity. It is a country with the talent, the resources and the determination not only to react to challenges but to overcome them.”