but a fine end to the week to come, just the chance of some showers across western areas later on sunday. take care.

this is bbc news, the headlines: we can go to the scottish parliament

where there is an election taking place to choose the new first minister, to replace humza yousaf. john swinney is now in the process and the votes are being cast for him and the votes are being cast for him and it is expected he will imminently be leader of the scottish national party but he needs to be formally elected as first minister by the scottish parliament and that is what is happening right now. all of the party leaders are allowed to nominate themselves as first minister and it is now the turn of john swinney and he is expected to have a majority of votes. voting is pretty simple, msps press a button to register their preference. we can now have a listen. the to register their preference. we can now have a listen.— now have a listen. the vote is closed. could _ now have a listen. the vote is closed. could any _ now have a listen. the vote is closed. could any member. now have a listen. the vote is l closed. could any member who believes— closed. could any member who believes they _ closed. could any member who believes they were _ closed. could any member who believes they were unable - closed. could any member who believes they were unable to l closed. could any member who . believes they were unable to cast their vote — believes they were unable to cast their vote please _ believes they were unable to cast their vote please advise - believes they were unable to cast their vote please advise by- believes they were unable to cast. their vote please advise by making a point of—

their vote please advise by making a point of order? — their vote please advise by making a point of order? we _ their vote please advise by making a point of order? we have _ their vote please advise by making a point of order? we have a _ their vote please advise by making a point of order? we have a point - their vote please advise by making a point of order? we have a point of. point of order? we have a point of order _ point of order? we have a point of order me— point of order? we have a point of order. p ., , , point of order? we have a point of order. g . , , ., ., order. my app would not load. i would have _ order. my app would not load. i would have voted _ order. my app would not load. i would have voted yes. - order. my app would not load. i would have voted yes. we - order. my app would not load. i would have voted yes. we will. order. my app would not load. i- would have voted yes. we will make sure that _ would have voted yes. we will make sure that your vote is recorded. thank— sure that your vote is recorded. thank you _ we now have another point of order. i'm not— we now have another point of order. i'm not sure — we now have another point of order. i'm not sure if— we now have another point of order. i'm not sure if my— we now have another point of order. i'm not sure if my vote _ we now have another point of order. i'm not sure if my vote went - i'm not sure if my vote went through. it has not come through on my app through. it has not come through on my app but i would have voted yes. i my app but i would have voted yes. i can confirm that your vote was recorded _ that concludes the votes for candidates _ that concludes the votes for candidates in _ that concludes the votes for candidates in the _ that concludes the votes for candidates in the next - that concludes the votes for candidates in the next votel that concludes the votes forl candidates in the next vote is that concludes the votes for- candidates in the next vote is for any members _ candidates in the next vote is for any members who _ candidates in the next vote is for any members who have - candidates in the next vote is for any members who have not - candidates in the next vote is for any members who have not yet i candidates in the next vote is for- any members who have not yet voted and who _ any members who have not yet voted and who wish — any members who have not yet voted and who wish to — any members who have not yet voted and who wish to record _ any members who have not yet voted and who wish to record abstention. . and who wish to record abstention. members— and who wish to record abstention. members wishing _ and who wish to record abstention. members wishing to _ and who wish to record abstention. members wishing to abstain - and who wish to record abstention. | members wishing to abstain should press _ members wishing to abstain should press the _ members wishing to abstain should press the yes — members wishing to abstain should press the yes button _ members wishing to abstain should

press the yes button now. - the vote is closed. could any member who believes — the vote is closed. could any member who believes they— the vote is closed. could any member who believes they were _ the vote is closed. could any member who believes they were unable - the vote is closed. could any member who believes they were unable to - who believes they were unable to cast their— who believes they were unable to cast their vote _ who believes they were unable to cast their vote please _ who believes they were unable to cast their vote please advise - who believes they were unable to cast their vote please advise by l cast their vote please advise by making — cast their vote please advise by making a — cast their vote please advise by making a point— cast their vote please advise by making a point of— cast their vote please advise by

making a point of order? - cast their vote please advise by making a point of order? that. making a point of order? that concludes _ making a point of order? that concludes this— making a point of order? that concludes this round - making a point of order? that concludes this round of- making a point of order? thatl concludes this round of voting. there — concludes this round of voting. there will— concludes this round of voting. there will now _ concludes this round of voting. there will now be _ concludes this round of voting. there will now be a _ concludes this round of voting. | there will now be a suspension concludes this round of voting. - there will now be a suspension while the votes _ there will now be a suspension while the votes are — there will now be a suspension while the votes are verified. _ there will now be a suspension while the votes are verified.— the votes are verified. there is auoin to the votes are verified. there is going to be — the votes are verified. there is going to be a _ the votes are verified. there is going to be a pause _ the votes are verified. there is going to be a pause while - the votes are verified. there is going to be a pause while all i the votes are verified. there is | going to be a pause while all of the votes are verified. there is - going to be a pause while all of the votes are verified to choose the next first minister of scotland. lorna gordon is watching attentively. thanks forjoining us. take us through the process of what we have been watching and what has been taking place? i we have been watching and what has been taking place?— been taking place? i called of a century since — been taking place? i called of a century since the _ been taking place? i called of a century since the reconvened i century since the reconvened parliament first sat, and when they elect a new first minister, this will be the seventh first minister for scotland, or those who wish to stand get a chance to make a short speech of up to five minutes in length and then there is a quite speedy process, electronic voting

process, which is being completed now, just the verifying of those votes left. it is almost a foregone conclusion who is going to win because it is based on a simple majority and the snp is by far the largest party here at the scottish parliament. john swinney made the final speech and in effect he attempted even in this speech to reset the tone of the debate, when he talked previously about less shouting and more listening, and one of the first things he did was to reach out to the other parties, praising scottish labour and liberal democrats in the conservatives and the scottish greens who were previously in government —— and the conservatives. and their sacking from the power—sharing deal led to this change at the top. he praised all the other parties in scotland and he then set out what he said

were the great achievements of the snp in its 17 years in government, and he said despite the political differences with the opposition parties in scotland, he wanted the best for scotland and had a burning ambition for a better country and he hoped going forward they could argue respectfully their different positions, not least because on the matter of independence. those votes are being verified but we expect very shortly for the presiding officer to announce who will be the next first minister of scotland, and if the voting goes the way we expect, that person will bejohn swinney. it expect, that person will be john swinne . . , expect, that person will be john swinne . ., ., ,, , swinney. it has all happened very cuickl . swinney. it has all happened very quickly- from _ swinney. it has all happened very quickly. from hamzaa _ swinney. it has all happened very quickly. from hamzaa use - swinney. it has all happened very quickly. from hamzaa use of - quickly. from hamzaa use of tendering his resignation —— humza yousaf tendering his resignation, and in fact there has not really been a leadership race. it and in fact there has not really been a leadership race.- and in fact there has not really been a leadership race. it has been a very quick — been a leadership race. it has been a very quick transition _ been a leadership race. it has been a very quick transition of _ been a leadership race. it has been a very quick transition of power, i a very quick transition of power, taking place in less than two weeks, it was a fortnight ago on thursday when... it was a fortnight ago on thursday when... we it was a fortnight ago on thursday when... ~ ., ., ., ., .,

when... we are going to go back to the parliament. _ when... we are going to go back to the parliament. the _ when. .. we are going to go back to the parliament. the number- when... we are going to go back to the parliament. the number of - when... we are going to go back to i the parliament. the number of votes cast for each — the parliament. the number of votes cast for each candidate _ the parliament. the number of votes cast for each candidate is _ the parliament. the number of votes cast for each candidate is as - cast for each candidate is as follows, _ cast for each candidate is as follows, alex _ cast for each candidate is as follows, alex hamilton, - cast for each candidate is as. follows, alex hamilton, four, douglas— follows, alex hamilton, four, douglas ross, _ follows, alex hamilton, four, douglas ross, 31, _ follows, alex hamilton, four, douglas ross, 31, and - follows, alex hamilton, four, douglas ross, 31, and sr - follows, alex hamilton, four, . douglas ross, 31, and sr one, follows, alex hamilton, four, - douglas ross, 31, and sr one, 22, john swinney. _ douglas ross, 31, and sr one, 22, john swinney. 64 _ douglas ross, 31, and sr one, 22, john swinney, 64 —— _ douglas ross, 31, and sr one, 22, john swinney, 64 —— and - douglas ross, 31, and sr one, 22, john swinney, 64 —— and sr - douglas ross, 31, and sr one, 22, john swinney, 64 —— and sr one. . john swinney, 64 —— and sr one. seven— john swinney, 64 —— and sr one. seven abstentions. _ john swinney, 64 —— and sr one. seven abstentions. as _ john swinney, 64 —— and sr one. seven abstentions. as there - john swinney, 64 —— and sr one. seven abstentions. as there is i john swinney, 64 —— and sr one. | seven abstentions. as there is an overall— seven abstentions. as there is an overall majority— seven abstentions. as there is an overall majority for— seven abstentions. as there is an overall majority for john - seven abstentions. as there is anj overall majority forjohn swinney, on behalf— overall majority forjohn swinney, on behalf of— overall majority forjohn swinney, on behalf of the _ overall majority forjohn swinney, on behalf of the parliament, - overall majority forjohn swinney, on behalf of the parliament, i- on behalf of the parliament, i congratulate _ on behalf of the parliament, i congratulate john _ on behalf of the parliament, i congratulate john swinney - on behalf of the parliament, i congratulate john swinney as | on behalf of the parliament, i. congratulate john swinney as the nominee — congratulate john swinney as the nominee for— congratulate john swinney as the nominee for the _ congratulate john swinney as the nominee for the position - congratulate john swinney as the nominee for the position of- congratulate john swinney as the nominee for the position of firstl nominee for the position of first minister— nominee for the position of first minister and _ nominee for the position of first ministerand i— nominee for the position of first minister and i look— nominee for the position of first minister and i look forward - nominee for the position of first minister and i look forward to. minister and i look forward to working — minister and i look forward to working with _ minister and i look forward to working with him _ minister and i look forward to working with him and - minister and i look forward to working with him and i- minister and i look forward to working with him and i will. minister and i look forward to. working with him and i will call each _ working with him and i will call each of— working with him and i will call each of the _ working with him and i will call each of the party _ working with him and i will call each of the party leaders - working with him and i will call each of the party leaders to . each of the party leaders to respond _ each of the party leaders to respond i— each of the party leaders to respond. i call— each of the party leaders to respond. i call douglas - each of the party leaders to i respond. i call douglas ross. i each of the party leaders to respond. i call douglas ross. respond. icall douglas ross. iwant to beain respond. icall douglas ross. iwant to begin by — respond. icall douglas ross. iwant to begin by congratulating - respond. icall douglas ross. iwant to begin by congratulating john - to begin by congratulating john swinney— to begin by congratulating john swinney on his election as first minister — swinney on his election as first minister. the opportunity to lead the scottish government is the

chance — the scottish government is the chance to — the scottish government is the chance to serve every single person across _ chance to serve every single person across our— chance to serve every single person across our country. to give them the education _ across our country. to give them the education they deserve, to make sure they can _ education they deserve, to make sure they can access the health care they need, _ they can access the health care they need. and _ they can access the health care they need, and to keep them safe from crime _ need, and to keep them safe from crime and — need, and to keep them safe from crime and help them to find the work they need _ crime and help them to find the work they need to provide for themselves and their— they need to provide for themselves and theirfamily. they need to provide for themselves and their family. that is a responsibility that should not be taken _ responsibility that should not be taken lightly and i know that the first minister given his long career in cabinet — first minister given his long career in cabinet will be acutely aware of the demands and that the decision to take up— the demands and that the decision to take up the _ the demands and that the decision to take up the role will not have been an easy— take up the role will not have been an easy one — take up the role will not have been an easy one for him. sol take up the role will not have been an easy one for him. so i wish him well— an easy one for him. so i wish him well in _ an easy one for him. so i wish him well in taking on that burden. i also _ well in taking on that burden. i also want — well in taking on that burden. i also want to say how rightly proud his family— also want to say how rightly proud his family must be today. we all know— his family must be today. we all know this — his family must be today. we all know this strain that elected office has on _ know this strain that elected office has on our— know this strain that elected office has on our families, and that is magnified — has on our families, and that is magnified tenfold when the politician holds the office of first minister — politician holds the office of first minister. so on behalf of the scottish— minister. so on behalf of the scottish conservatives we offer our strength _ scottish conservatives we offer our strength and support of the entire john swinney family as they provide

the personal backing which will be so important to our new first minister _ so important to our new first minister. �* . ,, minister. applause turning _ minister. applause turning out - minister. applause turning out to - minister. applause turning out to the i minister. applause _ turning out to the government he leads, _ turning out to the government he leads, it — turning out to the government he leads, it cannotjust turning out to the government he leads, it cannot just serve turning out to the government he leads, it cannotjust serve one side of the _ leads, it cannotjust serve one side of the constitutional argument, and it must— of the constitutional argument, and it must deliver for the whole of scotland — it must deliver for the whole of scotland. a government acting in the national— scotland. a government acting in the national interests is what the scottish— national interests is what the scottish people deserve. yet the snp have failed to deliver that in their time _ have failed to deliver that in their time in _ have failed to deliver that in their time in office. the legislative achievements of this session are few and far— achievements of this session are few and far between. instead we saw the snp government having run out of its own ideas. _ snp government having run out of its own ideas, increasingly look for policy— own ideas, increasingly look for policy direction from the extreme greens _ policy direction from the extreme greens at— policy direction from the extreme greens. at the same time they were continuing _ greens. at the same time they were continuing the push for the same old tired campaign for independence and a referendum. john swinney must swiftly— a referendum. john swinney must swiftly change course and deliver a bold new _ swiftly change course and deliver a bold new policy agenda for this snp government instead of treading water

like his— government instead of treading water like his predecessors. and it should start by— like his predecessors. and it should start by ruling out any agreement by the back— start by ruling out any agreement by the back door or otherwise the greens — the back door or otherwise the greens it— the back door or otherwise the greens. if he wants to lead a government that represents the values _ government that represents the values of— government that represents the values of the clear majority of our country. — values of the clear majority of our country, then he cannot be reliant on the _ country, then he cannot be reliant on the greens for his agenda. the snp must — on the greens for his agenda. the snp must reach beyond creating a nationalist coalition, to compromise and find _ nationalist coalition, to compromise and find consensus within this parliament. key to delivering that would _ parliament. key to delivering that would be — parliament. key to delivering that would be putting the campaign for independence on the back burner. the first minister and his party must treat— first minister and his party must treat today is a reset moment. they must _ treat today is a reset moment. they must bring — treat today is a reset moment. they must bring an end to a decade of division — must bring an end to a decade of division that has plagued our country— division that has plagued our country since the 2014 referendum. with our— country since the 2014 referendum. with our education system and record lows in— with our education system and record lows in international rankings, one in seven— lows in international rankings, one in seven scots on the nhs waiting list, violent crime rising and our economy— list, violent crime rising and our economy lagging behind the rest of

the uk, _ economy lagging behind the rest of the uk, scotland faces significant challenges, that demand the snp government wants attention, and in this the _ government wants attention, and in this the 25th anniversary of our scottish— this the 25th anniversary of our scottish parliament, it is clear that— scottish parliament, it is clear that the — scottish parliament, it is clear that the institution is not living up that the institution is not living up to— that the institution is not living up to the — that the institution is not living up to the promise that it offered to change _ up to the promise that it offered to change the lives of people across scotland — change the lives of people across scotland for the better. the new first _ scotland for the better. the new first minister must focus this chamber— first minister must focus this chamber and first minister must focus this chamberand his first minister must focus this chamber and his government back onto the issues _ chamber and his government back onto the issues that they were created to solve _ the issues that they were created to solve. presiding officer, today may mark— solve. presiding officer, today may mark a _ solve. presiding officer, today may mark a new— solve. presiding officer, today may mark a newjob forjohn swinney but he has _ mark a newjob forjohn swinney but he has been — mark a newjob forjohn swinney but he has been at the heart of an snp government of the last 17 years, and he has _ government of the last 17 years, and he has been — government of the last 17 years, and he has been the finance secretary for alex _ he has been the finance secretary for alex salmond and the deputy for nicola _ for alex salmond and the deputy for nicola sturgeon and the most prominent supporter of humza yousaf and he _ prominent supporter of humza yousaf and he has _ prominent supporter of humza yousaf and he has sat round the cabinet table _ and he has sat round the cabinet table and — and he has sat round the cabinet table and rubber—stamped every single _ table and rubber—stamped every single one of the policies they have enacted _ single one of the policies they have enacted. but now at long last and perhaps _ enacted. but now at long last and perhaps with some reluctance, he has a shot— perhaps with some reluctance, he has a shot at— perhaps with some reluctance, he has a shot at the — perhaps with some reluctance, he has a shot at the top job. perhaps with some reluctance, he has

a shot at the topjob. we know perhaps with some reluctance, he has a shot at the top job. we know the kind of— a shot at the top job. we know the kind of government ministerjohn swinney— kind of government ministerjohn swinney has been. even though the kind of— swinney has been. even though the kind of snp leader he has been but john swinney the first minister remains — john swinney the first minister remains unknown. presiding officer, scott _ remains unknown. presiding officer, scott then— remains unknown. presiding officer, scott then waits to see whether he will be _ scott then waits to see whether he will be a _ scott then waits to see whether he will be a nationalist leader like his predecessor or as we on these benches _ his predecessor or as we on these benches hope, a national leader that scotland _ benches hope, a national leader that scotland needs to take our country forward _ scotland needs to take our country forward -- — scotland needs to take our country forward —— scotland waits. thank you _ forward -- scotland waits. thank ou. �* . ,, you. applause i you. applause i now— you. applause i now call - you. applause i now call anas| you. applause - i now call anas sarwan. i you. applause _ i now call anas sarwan. i offer you- applause — i now call anas sarwan. i offerjohn swinney my — i now call anas sarwan. i offerjohn swinney my congratulations - i now call anas sarwan. i offerjohn swinney my congratulations on - i now call anas sarwan. i offerjohn i swinney my congratulations on being nominated as the next first minister and i know this will be a moment of pride for him and his family and the culmination of a long career of public service, which i know he has made many personal sacrifices for so i wish him and his loved ones well and the very best in the weeks and months to come. i'm pleased to see his wife elizabeth and his family in

the gallery today, we send them best wishes and love. we choose to be in politics but our families don't but it is often them that have to pay the heaviest burden and have the most significant impact so as others have said, we wish them all the very best for the future. our political disagreements are many but we share a common purpose to make scotland the best place to grow up and grow old. and i note his comments that he will look to work across the chamber in a way that has sadly escaped his predecessors. we will continue to work constructively where we can and promote the national interest and we believe in the principles of devolution and the consensus that we can try and build across our parliament. but it is important to note that the snp who have been one of the architects of the divisive politics, so i now question the rhetoric and the pretense of them now somehow being the great unifier is of our nation. i hope we will

finally do away with the use of words like traitors or the language of betrayal that has come from too many ministers let alone activists, and i hope this work can start immediately so we can move on and it is time to show the very best of scotland. as i said before, ifear this election is more about managing the snp rather than delivering for scotland and we need more than just a change of leader, and a change of language, we need an acceptance of what has gone wrong and we need a change of direction. at this time of national crisis people need a government that is willing to lend a hand and support them, not feel abandoned by this government and uk government time and time again. politicians putting party before their country. the truth is, this internal stitch up has delivered a continuity candidate who does bear responsibility for so much of the instability we have seen so let's not pretend this is day one of a new snp government. we should not forget

thatjohn swinney is tripodi first minister during the covid pandemic was responsible for deleting thousands of records and withholding evidence meant for the covid inquiry —— as deputy first minister. i fear the snp have elected to the highest office one of its champions. we need to see an end to the incompetence of public services but instead the snp have elected their worst education secretary in the history of our parliament because in classrooms across the country violence is on the rise, teachers feel unsupported and pupils are being led by government who do not have the same ambition as they do and on the 25th anniversary of devolution they have chosen as a man of the finance secretary who decimated local government and sucked up a poem to holyrood and decimated local services as a result. —— sucked up power into holyrood with i hope we

have a government that puts the national interest before party interest and we will work constructively to make sure we achieve the best for scotland and its people. but to put it bluntly, continuity will not cut it. you cannot afford more distracted and divided and incompetent government and we need to get on with fixing the mess of the last 17 years and get on to delivering for the people of scotland. so a wish of course the first minister well for the future but he needs to recognise that the public are crying out for change and i think that change can only come up with an election and i cannot wait to get on with the job of delivering for the people of scotland. applause now i call lorna _ for the people of scotland. applause now i call lorna slater. _ now i call lorna slater. congratulations - now i call lorna slater. congratulations to - now i call lorna slater. congratulations to john now i call lorna slater. - congratulations to john swinney now i call lorna slater. _ congratulations to john swinney and we recognise the right of the snp is the largest party in this chamber to form a _ the largest party in this chamber to form a government and we are content in the _ form a government and we are content in the spirit _ form a government and we are content in the spirit of stable governance that they— in the spirit of stable governance that they have managed to do so. the

scottish— that they have managed to do so. the scottish greens have worked constructively with john swinney over many years both as partners in government— over many years both as partners in government and from the opposition benches _ government and from the opposition benches and we look forward to building — benches and we look forward to building a — benches and we look forward to building a similarly constructive relationship as he takes up the role the first _ relationship as he takes up the role the first minister. however, our explicit— the first minister. however, our explicit support for the snp first minister— explicit support for the snp first minister it has always been conditional on a shared vision and policy— conditional on a shared vision and policy programme. one which tackles the climate _ policy programme. one which tackles the climate crisis head—on. which builds— the climate crisis head—on. which builds a _ the climate crisis head—on. which builds a fairerand the climate crisis head—on. which builds a fairer and more equal future — builds a fairer and more equal future and which continues to make the case _ future and which continues to make the case for— future and which continues to make the case for an independent scotland. the new first minister has yet to _ scotland. the new first minister has yet to lay _ scotland. the new first minister has yet to lay out the vision for his new— yet to lay out the vision for his new government. hence our abstention in the _ new government. hence our abstention in the vote _ new government. hence our abstention in the vote today. i am proud of what _ in the vote today. i am proud of what the — in the vote today. i am proud of what the scottish greens achieved during _ what the scottish greens achieved during our— what the scottish greens achieved during ourtime in what the scottish greens achieved during our time in government, lifting _ during our time in government, lifting 100,000 children out of poverty — lifting 100,000 children out of poverty. delivering free bus travel for young —

poverty. delivering free bus travel for young people. poverty. delivering free bus travel foryoung people. banning poverty. delivering free bus travel for young people. banning new incinerators, the most polluting single—use plastics, and putting in place _ single—use plastics, and putting in place emergency rent controls during the cost _ place emergency rent controls during the cost of— place emergency rent controls during the cost of living crisis. these are things— the cost of living crisis. these are things which are already making people — things which are already making people is— things which are already making people is make lives better thanks to the _ people is make lives better thanks to the scottish greens. but there was so _ to the scottish greens. but there was so much work still yet to be completed. we had just introduced a housing _ completed. we had just introduced a housing bill which creates new rights — housing bill which creates new rights for— housing bill which creates new rights for tenants and a permanent system _ rights for tenants and a permanent system of — rights for tenants and a permanent system of rent controls. our heat and buildings programme was transforming the way we heat our homes, _ transforming the way we heat our homes, to— transforming the way we heat our homes, to drive down emissions, and -ive homes, to drive down emissions, and give everyone a warm home that they can afford _ give everyone a warm home that they can afford to heat up this has been billed _ can afford to heat up this has been billed as— can afford to heat up this has been billed as a — can afford to heat up this has been billed as a template for the rest of the uk _ billed as a template for the rest of the uk by— billed as a template for the rest of the uk by the climate change committee. the process to appoint scotland's — committee. the process to appoint scotland's new national park was well under way, scotland's new national park was well underway, driving scotland's new national park was well under way, driving investment

into the _ well under way, driving investment into the rural communities, and the proposed _ into the rural communities, and the proposed natural environment bill would _ proposed natural environment bill would have created new protections and legislative tools to help restore _ and legislative tools to help restore nature in scotland. bringing a watertight ban on conversion therapy— a watertight ban on conversion therapy to protect some of the most vulnerable _ therapy to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our society. these _ vulnerable people in our society. these remain our priorities as scottish— these remain our priorities as scottish greens and we will continue to advocate for the fairer, greener, more _ to advocate for the fairer, greener, more equal— to advocate for the fairer, greener, more equal scotland that they create — more equal scotland that they create. in the coming days and weeks. — create. in the coming days and weeks, the first minister must lay out whether his government will continue — out whether his government will continue with these progressive policies — continue with these progressive policies as well as the recent commitment to ramp up action on the climate _ commitment to ramp up action on the climate emergency. or whether he will retreat to the middle ground and rely— will retreat to the middle ground and rely on the tories and other prounion— and rely on the tories and other prounion parties to complete the work— prounion parties to complete the work of— prounion parties to complete the work of government. if our parties

can continue to work towards a shared — can continue to work towards a shared vision of a fairer, progressive, independent scotland which _ progressive, independent scotland which takes its responsibilities to future _ which takes its responsibilities to future generations seriously, our door— future generations seriously, our door remains open. the scottish greens— door remains open. the scottish greens will— door remains open. the scottish greens will keep working for a greens will keep working fora better— greens will keep working for a better future with courage and determination. and i hope the new scottish— determination. and i hope the new scottish government will as well. applause thank you. applause thank ou. , ., ., , thank you. in behalf of the scottish liberal democrats _ thank you. in behalf of the scottish liberal democrats i _ thank you. in behalf of the scottish liberal democrats i would - thank you. in behalf of the scottish liberal democrats i would like - thank you. in behalf of the scottish liberal democrats i would like to i liberal democrats i would like to offerjohn swinney our sincere congratulations on his appointment as first minister and i want to record our thanks to his family in particularfor record our thanks to his family in particular for the sacrifices the nation is now asking of them and i know that consideration weighed heavily on his mind when weighing up the decision but before i talk in more detail about what is next and the challenges that before the first minister i would like to thank humza

yousaf for his service and i wish him and his family well, especially as they await their new arrival to their family. as they await their new arrival to theirfamily. politics can be as they await their new arrival to their family. politics can be a bruising business, you win some, you lose some, you have to offer your ideas and character and values up for scrutiny, and public debate, and that can be tough, and in those moments you need your loved ones around you which is why i liked that on the night of his resignation, humza yousaf�*s reaction was to go straight home and read bedtime stories to his children. those precious moments provide perspective at the end of a hard day. it reminded me of the man i first met 12 years ago when i was a youth worker and i wish you well sincerely. i am john swinney did not know it when he relinquish the reins of the snp leadership 20 years ago that his party was on the threshold of power, and today as he picks up those reins again, you may not know it, but i

believe that the snp now stand on the threshold of defeat. he has come full circle but i genuinely hope in the time that he has that he can make a positive impact on the public services on which we rely. that he can bring growth back to our economy and that his government and get the basics right. i say that because i love my country and i want the very best for it but for every day, from 2004 until 2024, he has been party to and complicit in every scene that pregnant decision taken by snp high command —— every significant decision. the snp's record in government isjohn swinney�*s record in government and i'm not sure fair—minded people will be convinced that after 17 years of that government, it has the fresh ideas and vision needed to move scotland forward and it appears to be business as usual when it comes to independence, and the circumstances under which the snp once again wish

to press the divisive agenda good not be less forgiving. i want to welcome his commitment to striking a more consensual tone in a parliament that has been too divided in recent years, and i am confident there will be areas we can find common ground but my party will continue to hold this government to account where it falls short and i would like to see the new first minister overhaul its approach to government transparency and record—keeping because the pandemic further expose the culture of secrecy that has existed throughout the scottish government and the work of the uk and scottish covid inquiries have been made harder by the deletion of evidence but he has the power now to change that culture. he also has the power to drop the ministerial takeover of social care, putting the money towards services and a staff and unlocking the crisis in the health service and giving councils the power they need to deliver locally and improve outdated standards of sewage dumped in our rivers, and the

finance sector e for many years, i'm sure tax and spend will be at the forefront of his mind —— finance sector e. there will also be delays to the draft strategy and infrastructure plan but we need those long term now because taxpayers and businesses have no idea what will happen now and that is not a conducive environment for growth and will not give people the confidence to invest here. i conclude by saying, you may have arrived here with some reluctance butjohn swinney is the new first minister of scotland and i accept that and congratulate him. he is known as a deal—maker but the enmity that now exists across this chamber will make the paralysis that grips scottish politics last week all the more likely. when that happens in a democracy, the best way forward is to go back to the people who sent us to go back to the people who sent us to this place and asked them for new instructions in the form of a scottish parliamentary election and i appreciate that he has ruled that

out but our votes will remain available towards the dissolution of this place and that end. we will always look for consensus where we can find it, always look for consensus where we canfind it, on always look for consensus where we can find it, on the priorities of the party and those who sent us here, and a renewed focus on net zero and for ready access to gp services at the first time of asking and for nhs dentistry, and on all thoseissues and for nhs dentistry, and on all those issues which have been crying out for ministerial attention we will lay aside differences where we can so let me conclude by offering him the hearty congratulations of my party. thank you. i him the hearty congratulations of my party thank you-— party. thank you. i now call john swinne . party. thank you. i now call john swinney l _ party. thank you. i now call john swinney i am — party. thank you. i now call john swinney. i am very _ party. thank you. i now call john swinney. i am very grateful- party. thank you. i now call john swinney. i am very grateful to i swinney. i am very grateful to dou~las swinney. i am very grateful to douglas ross. _ swinney. i am very grateful to douglas ross, anas _ swinney. i am very grateful to douglas ross, anas sarwar, i swinney. i am very grateful to - douglas ross, anas sarwar, lorna slater— douglas ross, anas sarwar, lorna slater and _ douglas ross, anas sarwar, lorna slater and alex cole—hamilton for their comments this afternoon especially in relation to the support— especially in relation to the support of my family. when i stood down _ support of my family. when i stood down as— support of my family. when i stood down as the deputy first minister in march _ down as the deputy first minister in march last— down as the deputy first minister in march last year i believe that would

be the _ march last year i believe that would be the last — march last year i believe that would be the last senior office i would hold _ be the last senior office i would hold in— be the last senior office i would hold in politics and having served as a senior— hold in politics and having served as a senior minister for 17 years i felt i _ as a senior minister for 17 years i felt i had — as a senior minister for 17 years i felt i had done my bit, and to find myself— felt i had done my bit, and to find myself accepting office as first minister— myself accepting office as first minister of scotland today is therefore to utter a classic understatement, something of a surprise — understatement, something of a surprise. it is, however, an extraordinary privilege and it is my honour— extraordinary privilege and it is my honour to — extraordinary privilege and it is my honour to accept the office of first minister. — honour to accept the office of first minister, committing myself to do the best— minister, committing myself to do the best i— minister, committing myself to do the best i can for scotland. as i navigated — the best i can for scotland. as i navigated my way through the media park in— navigated my way through the media park in the _ navigated my way through the media park in the corridors of this parliament last week, prior to announcing my candidacy for the leadership, i tried to explain that i leadership, i tried to explain that i was _ leadership, i tried to explain that i was taking my time to decide whether— i was taking my time to decide whether to stand. because i had to be certain— whether to stand. because i had to be certain it— whether to stand. because i had to be certain it was a decision that was right— be certain it was a decision that was right for my family. for me, my answers— was right for my family. for me, my answers to — was right for my family. for me, my answers to the media were not stalling — answers to the media were not stalling tactics or an evasive answer— stalling tactics or an evasive answer from an experienced politician, but for me it was the truth _ politician, but for me it was the truth. members will know my wife

elizabeth — truth. members will know my wife elizabeth has multiple sclerosis and she is— elizabeth has multiple sclerosis and she is indefatigable in trying to make _ she is indefatigable in trying to make sure that the condition does not get _ make sure that the condition does not get in — make sure that the condition does not get in the way of her living life to — not get in the way of her living life to the _ not get in the way of her living life to the full. but much to her frustration, she does often have to rely on _ frustration, she does often have to rely on her— frustration, she does often have to rely on her husband for support and assistance — rely on her husband for support and assistance i— rely on her husband for support and assistance. i could notjust commit myself— assistance. i could notjust commit myself to— assistance. i could notjust commit myself to become first minister without— myself to become first minister without being able to properly work out with _ without being able to properly work out with my family and how we would be able _ out with my family and how we would be able to _ out with my family and how we would be able to manage as a family. we have talked that through and we will manage _ have talked that through and we will manage. but i cannot let this moment pass without making clear to elizabeth my profound eternal gratitude for the sacrifices she is prepared — gratitude for the sacrifices she is prepared to make to enable her husband — prepared to make to enable her husband to serve our country as first _ husband to serve our country as first minister.—

lam iamso i am so pleased that my father and my wife _ i am so pleased that my father and my wife and children and members of my wife and children and members of my family— my wife and children and members of my family and our dearest friends are able _ my family and our dearest friends are able to — my family and our dearest friends are able to be here today to see this moment, and my only regret is that my— this moment, and my only regret is that my beloved mother did not live lon- that my beloved mother did not live long enough to see this day. as her parish _ long enough to see this day. as her parish minister wrote to me yesterday, your mother would have been _ yesterday, your mother would have been quietly proud. my mother's love of literature and poetry which rubbed — of literature and poetry which rubbed off on her sons would have prompted — rubbed off on her sons would have prompted her to find some words that would _ prompted her to find some words that would sum _ prompted her to find some words that would sum up this moment. yesterday i was would sum up this moment. yesterday i was asked _ would sum up this moment. yesterday i was asked what would be the single most important policy objective for my government and i made it clear it would _ my government and i made it clear it would be _ my government and i made it clear it would be the eradication of child poverty — would be the eradication of child poverty. so in searching for words to sum _ poverty. so in searching for words to sum up— poverty. so in searching for words to sum up this occasion, perhaps my mother— to sum up this occasion, perhaps my mother would have chosen these words. _ mother would have chosen these words, from one of the greatest poets _ words, from one of the greatest poets of — words, from one of the greatest poets of scotland, hamish henderson, who was— poets of scotland, hamish henderson, who was born in the beating heart of my perthshire constituency.

and his anthem, which i heard hamish henderson— and his anthem, which i heard hamish henderson saying from an open top from the _ henderson saying from an open top from the great capital city during a ram debacle rally that demanded this talisman— ram debacle rally that demanded this talisman of this very parliament in the early— talisman of this very parliament in the early 19905, talisman of this very parliament in the early19905, hamish talisman of this very parliament in the early 19905, hamish henderson the early 19905, hami5h henderson wrote," _ the early 19905, hami5h henderson wrote," never heed what the foodies croak— wrote," never heed what the foodies croak for— wrote," never heed what the foodies croak for dune, in your house and the barons — croak for dune, in your house and the baron5 of adam and painted room" — the baron5 of adam and painted room" if— the baron5 of adam and painted room." if there was ever an anthem that railed _ room." if there was ever an anthem that railed again5t room." if there was ever an anthem that railed against child poverty, those _ that railed against child poverty, those words from hami5h henderson echoed _ those words from hami5h henderson echoed through the streets of our diverse _ echoed through the streets of our diverse country as a call for us to act. diver5e country as a call for us to act so— diverse country as a call for us to act so ill— diverse country as a call for us to act. so i'll be unapologetic about bringing — act. so i'll be unapologetic about bringing to this parliament the measures we can take to eradicate mea5ure5 we can take to eradicate child poverty, and i look forward to seeking _ child poverty, and i look forward to seeking the support of others to achieve — seeking the support of others to achieve that aim. because i

recognise that's how it will have to work _