Swinney is a fine man for FM role
John Swinney is the new leader of the SNP and, by the time you read this, will have become Scotland’s First Minister.
I’ve known John a long time. He’s a fine man and outstanding public servant.
There’s already a mood of optimism in the air, and everyone hopes he will lead our country with the qualities he’s shown throughout his career.
But a few words on Humza Yousaf, the outgoing First Minister. His departure was gracious.
And as he spoke, I remembered the pride across Scotland and cross-party when he was elected just over a year ago as the first Muslim head of government in any northern European country.
After his election there was almost universal admiration for the calm way he handled the immense stress of having his in-laws stranded in Gaza as Israel’s bombing campaign began.
I don’t know Humza well. But in my dealings with him I’ve always found him a courteous and thoughtful man: slow to anger and with a warmth more evident in person than in the media. His resignation statement reminded me of Neil Kinnock’s – another politician perhaps more impressive in person than over the airwaves where, in Neil’s case, an over fondness for the spoken word was easy to mimic and ridicule.
Both resigned thanking providence for their many blessings, in particular their devoted partners and loving families.
John Swinney wrestled with the decision to put his name forward.
He said he knew that balancing family obligations with the role would be tough. And he took some days to think it through.
The job is a privilege, of course. The FM gets to meet some extraordinary people and act as the public face of Scotland abroad. But there are relentless pressures too. FMS lose all privacy.
Their every move is recorded, analysed, and debated. Their motives are forever questioned. People who’ve never met them sometimes decry a caricature of the person rather than the man or women themselves.
And while the rough and tumble of political debate is fine, the abuse on social media and in some parts of the press is not.
The racism endured by Humza Yousaf was shameful. The misogyny directed at Nicola Sturgeon was mind boggling. Indeed the homophobic abuse directed at Mhairi Black, a young politician often seen as a potential First Minister is cited by her as one of the main reasons she is standing down as an MP.
The other day on LBC I was asked whether I thought the abuse of politicians had gone too far and should be restricted by law.
Yes, was my answer to the first question and no to the second. Of course there are restrictions in Parliament. ‘Guttersnipe’and‘stoolpigeon’ are both forbidden as insults. Fair enough.
But the‘times’greeted John Swinney’s candidacy by publishing a grotesque Peter Brookes cartoon of SNP leaders hanging with their necks in nooses. Veteran journalist Andrew Neil called it“brilliant”.
John Swinney will need all his characteristic charm, good humour, and calm judgement.
And he will need the support of his close-knit family and wide circle of friends. I wish him well.