John Swinney says he’ll work with unionists after becoming SNP leader

John Swinney has pledged to work with unionists after he was named as the new SNP leader.

The 60-year-old, expected to be voted in as First Minister on Tuesday, issued a plea to pro-UK parties to put their constitutional differences aside as he sought to free the SNP from dependence on the Scottish Greens.

Mr Swinney, whose previous tenure as party leader ended in 2004, said he would govern from the “moderate centre Left” in what is seen as an attempt to shift the SNP away from controversial gender policies unpopular with voters but championed by Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf.

In a speech at the University of Glasgow, he praised the Cass Review into healthcare for children with gender issues in the NHS in England, which has led to the suspension of puberty blockers in Scotland.

Patrick Harvie, the Green co-leader, has criticised the review and refused to accept it as a valid scientific report, opening up an early rift between Holyrood’s two pro-independence parties.

The Scottish Greens, who toppled Mr Yousaf after he tore up their coalition pact, issued a list of ultimatums to Mr Swinney minutes after he became SNP leader.

Mr Harvie warned Mr Swinney that he would have to look to pro-UK parties for support if he ordered a “retreat toward the tepid middle ground” of politics, naming a “watertight” ban on conversion therapy as one of his red lines.

However, Mr Swinney refused to commit to the policy, along with Green demands to progress with controversial rent controls and net zero policies that will eventually mean the end for gas boilers.

“I will reach out to everyone willing to join with us in good faith and seek compromises that serve our nation well,” said the new SNP leader. “We need to stop shouting at each other and talk. Independence is not a reason to refuse to work with us to build the economy, support jobs and improve the health service.

“On some issues, I’m sure we will be aligned with the Scottish Green Party. On some issues, we’ll have to find support and agreement with other political parties.

“I will lead a government from the moderate centre Left. That’s where I come from, that’s where our policy base is and that’s how we’ll take forward our policy programme.”

Mr Swinney, who is regularly seen barracking opponents in the Holyrood chamber, said he accepted his share of the blame for the poisonous state of Scottish politics. “Politics is in the worst state I have ever seen it, in my lengthy involvement,” he added. “I’m here to do something about that.”

The parliamentary arithmetic at Holyrood means Mr Swinney will have to work with opposition parties to pass key legislation and budgets.

Under Ms Sturgeon, the SNP worked closely with the Greens, twice relying on their support in confidence votes to save Mr Swinney’s job in the previous parliament.

Ms Sturgeon then formalised their relationship with a coalition deal, which committed the Scottish Government to radical action on the environment and gender politics, such as the blocked self-ID law and a ban on conversion therapy.

However, their pact unravelled after Mr Yousaf, under pressure from MPs, tore it up – leading to the Greens vowing to topple him. He resigned after just 13 months in the job.

Mr Swinney was elected SNP leader unopposed on Monday after he persuaded party activist Graeme McCormick to abandon a leadership bid.

He is expected to hand a prominent government role to Kate Forbes, seen as being on the Right of the SNP, after he also persuaded her not to stand against him.

Douglas Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, said: “The stitch-up the SNP have engineered to ensure John Swinney’s coronation highlights the mess they’re in. Is a failed former leader from two decades ago – who, as education secretary, sent Scotland plummeting down international league tables – really the best they have to offer?”