Rebecca McCurdy

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Kathleen Nutt |Rebecca McCurdy |Hannah Brown

First Minister of Scotland and SNP leader John Swinney speaking at Assembly Roxy in Edinburgh, to mark one year to go to the next Holyrood election on May 7 2026. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) John Swinney was flanked by scores of SNP election candidates in Edinburgh as he declared the SNP were “back” and ready to win in 2026. This was an invigorated SNP leader – a far cry from the man who stepped up rather reluctantly to pick up the pieces of his struggling party.

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Rebecca McCurdy

First Minister of Scotland and SNP leader John Swinney speaking at Assembly Roxy in Edinburgh, to mark one year to go to the next Holyrood election. (Image: Jane Barlow) John Swinney has reignited calls for a second independence referendum as he marked one year until the Holyrood election. The SNP leader had been notably quiet on the constitutional question in recent months, leading to concern from within his own ranks.

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Rebecca McCurdy

Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party could be the main opposition in Holyrood next year, a new poll has predicted. A poll conducted by Survation on behalf of True North Advisors puts the populist party on 19% of the constituency vote and 20% on the regional ballot. Analysis of the results by Professor Sir John Curtice predicts that transforms into 21 seats for Reform UK, with the Scottish Conservative vote being decimated as a result.

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Rebecca McCurdy

The new child poverty plan referenced in the Programme for Government has been a legal requirement since 2017. John Swinney's 'new plan' on child poverty has been a legal requirement of ministers since 2017, leading to criticism of 'inaction' from leading charities.

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Rebecca McCurdy

Was the Programme for Government supposed to be underwhelming? (Image: Jane Barlow) This Programme for Government was a pivotal opportunity for John Swinney to win over voters with the election countdown now well underway. The First Minister made a bold move last month when he pushed forward his legislative agenda. It is normally unveiled in September, but Mr Swinney wanted to allow an entire year to deliver on his promises.