DossierPoliticsUnited KingdomUpdated October 16, 2026

John Swinney

John Swinney

John Swinney is the First Minister of Scotland, having assumed office on 8 May 2024, and is leader of the Scottish National Party. He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for Perthshire North since 1999. He served as Deputy First Minister of Scotland from 2014 to 2023. He previously held cabinet secretary roles for Finance and the Economy, Covid Recovery, and Education and Skills. He was leader of the SNP between 2000 and 2004, and became party leader again in 2024. He joined the Scottish National Party in 1979.

Country
United Kingdom
Field
Politics
Leaning
Not assessed
Fact checks
1

Fact checks

Record

  • Controversy · September 1, 2026

    Public sector job losses

    John Swinney stated that public sector job losses were likely over the coming years due to service reforms, while ruling out compulsory NHS redundancies. Trade unions expressed concern about potential thousands of job losses. [1]

Affiliations

  • Scottish National Party (SNP)

    The Scottish National Party is a political party in Scotland. John Swinney joined it in 1979, served as its leader between 2000 and 2004, and became leader again in 2024. [2]

  • Scottish Parliament

    The Scottish Parliament is the devolved legislature of Scotland. John Swinney has been an MSP for Perthshire North since 1999. [3]

  • Scottish Government

    The Scottish Government is the devolved government of Scotland. John Swinney has served in it as First Minister since May 2024, and previously as Deputy First Minister and in several cabinet secretary roles. [2]

Sources

  1. [1]gov.scot
  2. [2]gov.scot
  3. [3]parliament.scot
  4. [4]Photo: Scottish Government / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Profiles are compiled from public reporting and updated as new information appears.

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