John Ramsay Swinney (born 13 April 1964) is a Scottish politician who is the First Minister of Scotland since 2024. He was the Deputy First Minister of Scotland from 2014 to 2023. He had several cabinet roles with First Ministers Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon from 2007 to 2023. Swinney has been a member of the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) since 1999.
Quick facts John Swinney MSP, First Minister of Scotland ...
John Swinney
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 Official portrait, 2024 |
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Assumed office
8 May 2024 |
| Monarch | Charles III |
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| Deputy | Kate Forbes |
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| Preceded by | Humza Yousaf |
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Assumed office
6 May 2024 |
| Depute | Keith Brown |
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| Preceded by | Humza Yousaf |
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In office
26 September 2000 – 3 September 2004 |
| Depute | Roseanna Cunningham |
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| Preceded by | Alex Salmond |
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| Succeeded by | Alex Salmond
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| Cabinet offices
2007–2023
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In office
21 November 2014 – 28 March 2023 | | First Minister | Nicola Sturgeon |
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| Preceded by | Nicola Sturgeon |
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| Succeeded by | Shona Robison |
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Acting[b]
16 July 2022 – 28 March 2023 | | First Minister | Nicola Sturgeon |
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| Preceded by | Kate Forbes |
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| Succeeded by | Shona Robison (Finance)
Neil Gray (Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy) |
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In office
17 May 2007 – 18 May 2016 | | First Minister | Alex Salmond
Nicola Sturgeon |
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| Preceded by | Tom McCabe |
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| Succeeded by | |
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In office
20 May 2021 – 28 March 2023 | | First Minister | Nicola Sturgeon |
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| Preceded by | Office established |
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| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
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In office
18 May 2016 – 20 May 2021 | | First Minister | Nicola Sturgeon |
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| Preceded by | - Angela Constance
- Roseanna Cunningham
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| Succeeded by | Shirley-Anne Somerville
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| Party political offices
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In office
25 August 1998 – 26 September 2000 | | Leader | Alex Salmond |
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| Preceded by | Allan Macartney |
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| Succeeded by | Roseanna Cunningham
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| Parliamentary offices
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| Assumed office
6 May 1999 | | Preceded by | Constituency established |
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| Majority | 3,336 (9.8%) |
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In office
1 May 1997 – 14 May 2001 | | Preceded by | Bill Walker |
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| Succeeded by | Pete Wishart
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| Born | John Ramsay Swinney
(1964-04-13) 13 April 1964 (age 61)
Edinburgh, Scotland |
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| Nationality | Scottish |
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| Political party | Scottish National Party |
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| Spouse(s) |
Lorna King
(m. 1991 ; div. 1998 )Elizabeth Quigley (m. 2003 ) |
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| Children | 3 |
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| Relatives | Tom Hunter (uncle) |
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| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh |
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| Website | www.johnswinney.scot |
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Close
Swinney was the Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) from 2000 to 2004. In early May 2024, Swinney announced his candidacy for Leader of the Scottish National Party to replace resigning leader Humza Yousaf.[1] He was elected party leader on 8 May 2024.[2]
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