Tag: John Swinney

• Thursday, May 28th 2026 - 08:11 UTC

  Scotland wants a new independence referendum, despite Downing Street’s rejection

  

  The consequences of the disastrous results of the recent local elections in UK, both for the incumbent Labour and the Conservatives, not only have questioned PM Keir Starmer’s leadership but revived old challenges. And one of those is Scotland’s call for a second independence referendum.

• Thursday, May 2nd 2024 - 04:53 UTC

  Scotland's political system in the process of nominating a new First Minister

  

  Potential successors to outgoing Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf who announced his resignation on Monday, after a let down from the Greens, and fearing two no confidence votes, have been meeting to consider bids for the leadership of SNP. They are John Swinney and Kate Forbes who have yet to confirm their aspirations.

• Friday, March 3rd 2023 - 08:46 UTC

  John Swinney to step down as Scotland's Deputy First Minister right behind Sturgeon

  

  Scotland's Deputy First Minister John Swinney Thursday sent a note to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon telling her he would be stepping down the same day she leaves her post. Sturgeon announced last month that she was resigning as Scottish National Party (SNP) leader and subsequently also as chief executive, effective sometime later in March.

• Tuesday, February 18th 2014 - 05:58 UTC

  “Extremely difficult, if not impossible” for an independent Scotland to join the EU, says Barroso

  

  European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said it would be “extremely difficult, if not impossible” for an independent Scotland to join the European Union. Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr he said an independent Scotland would have to apply for membership and get the approval of all current member states.