Swinney blasts Labour and Tories for refusing to consider rejoining EU
The SNP leader spoke out in a speech eight years after the result of the UK’s referendum on membership of the European Union was announced. Source link
All posts tagged: SNP
Election Extra: inflation on target and the SNP manifesto – podcast | News
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SNP crippling Scottish businesses by not bringing in rates relief, say Tories
Scottish Tory deputy leader Meghan Gallacher made the claim during a campaign trip to the Scottish Borders on Monday. Source link
Labour takes on the SNP in Scotland – podcast | News
“A really typical doorstep conservation will involve someone saying: ‘I’m just completely scunnered, can you do what you can to get them out?’” Kirsty McNeill, the Labour candidate for Midlothian, tells the Guardian’s Scotland correspondent Libby Brooks. “Then I’ll have to clarify: ‘Do you mean them up the road or them down the road?’ And then they’ll say: ‘Actually we feel horribly let down by both.’” Libby has been speaking to voters and candidates in Midlothian. It’s one of the many battleground constituencies between the Scottish National party (SNP) and Labour. She tells Helen Pidd about how the cost of living, decline in public services and scandals in the SNP leadership have left some voters disillusioned – and weighing up their views on independence and other concerns. Libby also speaks to the SNP candidate seeking to be re-elected in Midlothian, Owen Thompson, about his optimism for the party under the leadership of John Swinney. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian Support The Guardian The Guardian is editorially independent. And we want to keep our journalism open and …
Will Labour or the SNP serve Scots and their families better? | Scottish National party (SNP)
Dani Garavelli says the Scottish National party has not eradicated child poverty in Scotland (The SNP’s woes are a boost for Starmer. But he’s not promising the change Scotland wants, 27 May). Maybe not, but it has made great strides in this direction, within the budgetary constraints imposed by Westminster. The Scottish child payment is the policy of the SNP-led Holyrood government and is paid to all families on benefits in Scotland at £26.70 per week per child. And all children in primary 1 to 5, at schools run by their local council or funded by the Scottish government, can get free school lunches in term-time. Moreover, money has been invested into this to ensure that the meals are of good quality. As Garavelli goes on to say, Keir Starmer will not even commit to abolishing the two-child benefit cap. Child poverty is a scandal in a rich country like the UK, but it is less of a scandal in Scotland than elsewhere. No one in Scotland who cares about this should vote Labour.Sue HawthorneHaddington, East Lothian Dani …
John Swinney declares ‘new chapter’ as he becomes SNP leader | John Swinney
John Swinney declared “a new chapter in our party’s history” as he became leader of the Scottish National party on Monday, but said recent infighting and chaos had left the public “worried about where we are as a party”. Speaking to senior SNP politicians and activists at an event at the University of Glasgow, Swinney said his decision to stand for the role of leader – after Humza Yousaf announced his intention to step down a week ago – was “not born out of long-held ambition but rather a profound sense of duty to my party and my country”. He said he made no apology for the fact he was the only candidate to put himself forward. Last week his most likely rival, Kate Forbes, a former finance secretary who came close to beating Yousaf last year, ruled herself out of the contest and backed Swinney, saying she was persuaded by his pledge to “govern from the mainstream”. A last-minute threat to the coronation was averted late on Sunday when the SNP activist and serial …
John Swinney Confirmed As SNPs New Leader
Scotland’s former deputy first minister was appointed without a contest after no one else chose to stand against him. He said: “I am deeply honoured to have been elected as leader of the SNP. I will give all that I have to serve my party and my country.” The veteran nationalist will also be confirmed as the new Scottish first minister later this week. His main task will be to turn around the SNP’s fortunes as the party prepares to lose a swathe of seats to Labour at the upcoming general election. Source link
Graeme McCormick pulls out of SNP leadership race paving way for John Swinney | Politics News
Graeme McCormick has pulled out of the race to become SNP leader and instead endorsed rival John Swinney as Scotland’s next first minister. Mr McCormick’s decision not to pursue a leadership bid leaves Mr Swinney as the only official candidate after Humza Yousaf announced he is stepping down. Mr Yousaf said he was resigning last week after he decided to end the power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Green Party. In a statement shared with Sky News, Mr McCormick, a party activist, said he had had a “lengthy and fruitful conversation” with Mr Swinney, adding that he had “met the threshold set by the party rules”. Spreaker This content is provided by Spreaker, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Spreaker cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have …
Labour not planning alliances with SNP, campaign co-ordinator says
Mr Phillips questioned if Labour would “rule-out the idea of co-operation” with the party and Mr McFadden responded: “You can put it to me from now until Christmas and my answer will be the same, we’re going to aim for a majority government, we’re going to meet that mood for change, we’re not planning on any pacts or alliances with anyone and I think – after the results of the last few days – we go into that fight with no complacency, but with a belief and confidence that we’ve seen in the votes that were cast a few days ago.” Source link
John Swinney warns against rivals entering SNP leadership race | Politics News
SNP leadership hopeful John Swinney has warned rivals against entering the contest, saying it would “delay the ability for the [party] to start its rebuilding”. The former deputy leader is currently the only candidate in the running to replace Humza Yousaf, who announced last week he would be stepping down as first minister after his decision to end a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Green Party led to the collapse of his premiership. But rumours have surfaced today that SNP activist Graeme McCormick has gathered enough support to launch his own bid for the top job, and if he submits an application before Monday’s midday deadline, the party would begin a three-week leadership contest. Politics live: Minister insists opinion polls are wrong amid Tory drubbing at local elections Speaking to Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Mr Swinney accepted there was a “democratic process” for any candidate with 100 signatures from 20 local SNP organisations to enter the race. However, in what appeared to be a warning to any potential rival, he added: “My …