Lochhead congratulates new SNP leader John Swinney
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MORAY SNP MSP Richard Lochhead has congratulated John Swinney on being elected as the new SNP leader.
Nominations for the party leadership closed at midday today (Monday) with Mr Swinney the only contender. There had been speculation that SNP activist Graeme McCormick had garnered sufficient support to throw his hat into the ring but, in the end, no challenge emerged.
The former deputy First Minister will replace outgoing party leader and first Minister Humza Yousaf who resigned following his handling of the end of the Bute House Agreement with the Greens which brought them into government for the first time. It marks his second spell as party ;leader, having previously held the post over 2000-2004.
Mr Swinney is expected to become Scotland’s new first Minister over the next few days should he win the necessary vote at Holyrood.
Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead moved to congratulate him on his achievement.
He said: “I want to congratulate John Swinney on becoming the new leader of the SNP and the next First Minister of Scotland.
“John is a huge and much loved figure in the SNP and is a deeply respected Member of the Scottish Parliament, and I know he will now unite our party and take the country forward.
“These are incredibly challenging and serious times, but John is a serious and highly experienced politician who the public can trust to deliver for Scotland.
“The SNP has a proud record in government and as we return to working as a minority government, I know John will be a First Minister that seeks to work with MSPs across the Parliament in the best interests of our country.
“The SNP and the wider independence movement has more work to do to secure a sustained majority in support of independence - under John’s leadership of our party I’m convinced we can do just that.”
