Politics latest: SNP leadership hopeful issues warning to opposition parties (2024)

More than 700 migrants were detected crossing the Channel on Wednesday - a new daily record for the year so far.

According to the Home Office, 711 people made the journey in 14 boats.

That would work out to an average of 51 people per boat.

The provisional total for the number of Channel crossings this year so far now stands at 8,278.

Crossings have surpassed the record for the first four months of a calendar year.

Some voters in Cambridge have reportedly had to cast their votes from the back of a car this morning after the opening of a polling station backfired.

Cambridge Electoral Services said voters at Milton Road Library were given the "rare" experience after problems getting into the building.

The problem now appears to have been resolved, with polling stations at the library "up and running".

Writing on X, Cambridge Electoral Services thanked polling teams "who remained calm and carried on".

John Swinney is asked whether he thinks as SNP leader he will deliver independence for Scotland.

"Yes," he replies.

Earlier, he used his speech to say he has believed all his adult life "that Scotland's future is best served as an independent country".

He said he recognises "most people need to be convinced of that point before independence can be achieved", adding he wants to focus on reaching out to people with "respect and courtesy to address the obstacles in the way of winning the case for independence".

But he said he accepts his party "is not as cohesive as it needs to be".

"I will give all that I have in me to ensure the success of our course," he said.

John Swinney is now taking questions.

Sky'sScotland correspondent Connor Gilliesputs it to him that some are suggesting he is another continuity candidate. He also asks whether he will offer Kate Forbes the post of deputy first minister if he is appointed.

Mr Swinney avoids the second question, saying he will come to that in due course.

He instead focuses on his bid to bring change to the SNP, saying "the opposition parties better watch out what's coming to them".

"We just can't go on as we are today," he says.

"That's that's the reason I'm standing, because if we go on the way we were going today, I think we will face tough times."

He says he is "stepping up to the plate" to "make sure we deliver the change that we need to deliver".

"But I tell you one thing, once I draw the SNP together as one unified team, the opposition parties in Scotland better watch out what's coming towards them," he says.

Announcing his bid to become SNP leader, John Swinney has said he wants to see Kate Forbes "play a significant part" in his team.

"She is an intelligent, creative, thoughtful person who has much to contribute to our national life," he says.

"And if elected, I will make sure that Kate is able to meet that contribution and that will be part of a united team that draws together our whole party, which given my deep, deep devotion to the SNP, I think I am best placed to put together."

He goes on to say he wants Ms Forbes to be part of "team SNP and a very involved, senior participant in team SNP".

Kate Forbes is expected to give a statement later today.

Ms Forbes, who narrowly lost out to Humza Yousaf in last year's leadership election, has not confirmed her intention to enter the leadership contest.

However, she has so far refused to rule herself out of the race.

John Swinney has confirmed he intends to stand as leader of the SNP for a second time.

Mr Swinney previously served as SNP leader between 2000 and 2004, later becoming Nicola Sturgeon's number two from 2014 to 2023.

Announcing his bid, Mr Swinney said: "I want to build on the work of the SNP government to create a modern, diverse, dynamic Scotland that will ensure opportunity for all of her citizens."

"I want to unite the SNP and unite Scotland for independence."

He lists "the pursuit of economic growth and social justice" among his priorities.

He also says he wants to "design an approach to net zero that takes people and business with us".

Mr Swinney's leadership bid comes after Humza Yousafannounced he was standing down as SNP leader and Scotland's first minister earlier this week.

John Swinney is starting his statement.

He is expected to launch his campaign to become leader of the SNP for a second time.

It comes after Humza Yousafannounced he was standing down as SNP leader and Scotland's first minister earlier this week.

The SNP's Kate Forbes is also expected to give a statement later today.

John Swinney is expected to declare his bid to become the new leader of the SNP later today, Sky News understands.

Kate Forbes is also expected to make a statement later on Thursday.

It comes after Humza Yousafannounced he was standing down as SNP leader and Scotland's first minister following his decision last week to cut power-sharing ties with the Scottish Greens - a move which saw his leadership collapse.

Mr Swinney previously served as SNP leader between 2000 and 2004; later becoming Nicola Sturgeon's number two from 2014 to 2023.

He is considered a front-runner for the top job once again, having garnered support from senior figures within his party, including from the SNP's Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn.

The Perthshire North MSP is expected to make a statement in Edinburgh on Thursday morning.

However, he could face competition from the party's former finance minister Ms Forbes, who narrowly lost out to Mr Yousaf in last year's leadership election.

Though the Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch MSP has not confirmed her intention to enter the leadership contest, she has so far refused to rule herself out of the race.

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Voting is taking place in 11 mayoral elections across England today.

They include a contest for mayor of London, as well aselections to the London Assembly, with 25 seats available.

Metro mayor contests are also taking place today in:

• East Midlands
• Greater Manchester
• Liverpool City Region
• North East
• South Yorkshire
• Tees Valley
• West Midlands
• West Yorkshire
• York and North Yorkshire

Metro mayors are directly elected leaders who chair combined authorities.

Of these mayoral posts, three - East Midlands, the North East, and York and North Yorkshire - are newly created and are holding their inaugural election.

There is also one city mayoral election in Salford.

Kate Forbes narrowly lost out to Humza Yousaf in last year's SNP leadership contest.

Ms Forbes has told Sky News she is considering entering the race again in the wake of Mr Yousaf's resignation.

The former finance secretary faced backlash during her campaign last year after admitting she would have voted against gay marriage in Scotland when it was made legal a decade ago.

The Free Church of Scotland member also told Sky News that having children out of marriage was "wrong" and something she would "seek to avoid".

However, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch stressed that "in a free society you can do what you want".

Ms Forbes had argued that "continuity won't cut it".

After losing to Mr Yousaf by 48% to 52%, she said: "If we are to continue to win elections, we need to continue to listen and maintain trust."

Ms Forbes turned down the role of rural affairs minister, which at the time was seen as a demotion.

Although her views on social issues remain unpopular with some of her MSP colleagues, she was one of the few SNP ministers who did not delete her WhatsApp messages during the COVID pandemic.

Ms Forbes would face resistance from the Scottish Greens, who have previously ruled out working with her.

SNP colleague Fergus Ewing is backing Ms Forbes, saying she is "head and shoulders" above any other potential candidate.