John Swinney elected as Scotland's new first minister

Messages of luck and welcome to the new first minister have been posted on social media, starting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former first minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Sunak posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying he looks forward to working constructively with Swinney and "focusing on the real issues that matter to families – delivering jobs, growth and better public services for people across Scotland."

And Sturgeon has wished Swinney "all the luck in the world" in his new role after working closely with him "for more than 30 years".

She writes: "He was by my side throughout my time as FM - as deputy, friend and confidante.

"He is one of the kindest and most decent people I know - and without doubt the right person to be FM in this moment, for both party and country.

"Aside from his family, I doubt there is anyone in Scotland prouder of John today than I am."

Swinney says the Scottish government is not the "collaborative place it has been in the past" as the parliament marks its 25th anniversary - and notes that he has been there since the very start.

He says he will commit his government to working to create a stronger sense of agreement across the chamber.

The SNP leader says that when he joined the party at 15 years old, he could "scarcely have imagined that my journey would involve becoming first minister of Scotland".

"To the people of Scotland I would say simply this 'I offer myself to be the first minister for everyone in Scotland'," he says.

"I am here to serve you. I will give everything I have to build the best future for our country."

Loud applause follows as Swinney sits down to end his speech, before walking across the parliament to shake the hands of his fellow party leaders.

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"I will be unapologetic about bringing to this parliament the measures we can take to eradicate child poverty," continues Swinney.

He points out he will need to reach out to others to make things happen, as he is leading a minority government.

The parliament is "intensely polarised at this time", he tells the chamber and accepts his part in creating that environment by "heckling from a sedentary position".

"I do promise presiding officer that will all stop - I have changed," he jokes, leading to chuckles from the chamber.

John Swinney reminds the chamber his wife has multiple sclerosis and says "she is indefatigable in trying to make sure that MS does not get in the way of her living life to the full, but, much to her frustration, she does often have to rely on her husband for support and assistance".

He explains he had to work out with his family how they would be able to manage.

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"I cannot let this moment pass without making clear to Elizabeth my profound eternal gratitude for the sacrifices she is prepared to make to enable her husband to serve our country as first minster," he says.

This is greeted by warm applause from around the chamber.

Swinney then welcomes his family to the gallery and speaks of his late mother and her poetry.

John Swinney thanks the opposition party leaders for their "kind comments" especially ones about the support of his family.

Until recently he says: "I felt I had, to coin a phrase, done my bit."

"To find myself accepting office as first minister of Scotland today is therefore, to utter a classic understatement, something of a surprise.

"It is however an extraordinary privilege and it is my honour to accept the office of first minister, committing myself to do the best I can for Scotland."

Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Alex Cole-Hamilton congratulates the new first minister and thanks his family for "the sacrifice they are now making". He also thanks the outgoing first minister Humza Yousaf and his family for their service.

He says the SNP stand on the "threshold of defeat" and Swinney has been "party to and complicit in every significant decision taken by SNP high command".

Cole-Hamilton adds: "The SNP's record in government is John Swinney's record in government."

He says parliament has been too divided in recent years and the Scottish Liberal Democrats will continue to hold the Scottish government to account, adding that the pandemic exposed the "culture of secrecy" within the government.

The public gallery is packed with SNP activists, some of whom have been campaigning alongside Mr Swinney since he was first elected as an MP in 1997.

They are joined on a historic day in Holyrood by those closest to the new first minister.

His wife Elizabeth, a BBC journalist, and children Judith, Stuart and Matthew are seated alongside his father Kenneth, who is in his 90s.

Mr Swinney's brother David and his family are also in attendance to witness one of the few MSPs from the original 1999 intake being voted in as Humza Yousaf's successor.

But I'm told 13-year-old Matthew is hoping proceedings don't last too long as he is hoping to get home in time for hockey practice.

Lorna Slater, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, congratulates John Swinney and says her party has worked with him in previous years, and looks forward to building a "similarly constructive" agreement as he takes up his new role.

However, she says the Greens abstained from today's vote as John Swinney is still to outline his plan for government.

She says she is proud of what the Greens achieved in government but many of their policies were in the early stages and adds that the Greens will continue to advocate for them.

She wants Swinney to lay out whether his government will see these policies through to the end or "retreat to the middle ground" and work with pro-union parties instead.

"On behalf of the Scottish Labour party I offer John Swinney my sincerest congratulations on being nominated as Scotland's next first minister," begins Anas Sarwar.

The Scottish Labour leader sends John Swinney's wife, Elizabeth, and family, who are in the gallery "our best wishes and love".

He points out that the political disagreements between himself and Swinney are many.

Sarwar argues that the SNP have been "one of the architects of divisive politics", so he doubts they will now be the unifiers of the nation.

"I fear this election is more about managing the SNP than delivering for Scotland," he says.

He calls for a "change of direction" and an "end to the incompetence in managing our public services".

"Continuity won't cut it," he says.

Each of the party leaders are given the chance to respond to Swinney's election as first minister, and Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross is up first.

He congratulates Swinney and calls the opportunity to be first minister "the chance to serve every single person across our country" and acknowledges that the decision would not have been easy for him due to the potential strains on his family.

However, Ross says the SNP have failed to act on behalf of the Scottish people and often look for policy direction from the "extreme Greens".

He urges Swinney to swiftly change the government's direction and put the independence campaign "on the backburner" and treat today as a "reset moment".

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John Swinney inherits a minority government from predecessor Humza Yousaf - meaning he will need the support of opposition MSPs to pass legislation.

He will have to prioritise cross-party consensus, strike deals with different parties on a case-by-case basis, make concessions, and accept defeat on certain issues.

Minority governments are not uncommon in Scottish politics. Several previous SNP governments, including ones in which Swinney served, have been minority administrations.

In a piece for The National on Sunday, Swinney cited his "unique experience of governing as a minority party". He added that he was "the person best-placed... to deliver serious, steady government".

The presiding officer will now submit John Swinney's name to the King as the parliament's nominee for the role of first minister of Scotland.

There will be more formalities tomorrow, when the new first minister will be formally sworn in at the court of session by the Lord President.

Then it's down to business with a cabinet reshuffle the first task.

Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone reads out the results of the vote

• Alex Cole-Hamilton - four votes
• Douglas Ross - 31 votes
• Anas Sarwar - 22 votes
• John Swinney - 64
• Seven abstentions (Green MSPs)

Ms Johnstone says: "As there is an overall majority for John Swinney, on behalf of the parliament, I congratulate Mr Swinney as the parliament's nominee for the position of first minister."

John Swinney finishes his candidacy speech to loud applause among his fellow SNP MSPs.

The presiding officer announces a short suspension in parliament before moving onto the vote.

John Swinney says it is with a "burning ambition for a better future for this country that I am seeking to become first minister".

He tells the chamber "it is possible to argue respectfully our different positions".

Swinney insists: "Scottish self-government is the right way forward for Scotland."

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John Swinney gets to his feet saying he is "greatly honoured to be a nominee for first minister of Scotland".

There's been a growing demand from many people in Scotland for self-government, he says.

Swinney adds that "a sizeable majority believe that in key aspects of Scottish life it is better for decisions about Scotland to be made here in Scotland".

He tells the chamber: "I am proud that it was an SNP government that was led by the first woman first minister and then by the first Muslim first minister."

He goes on to pay tribute to Humza Yousaf.

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Up next is Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who pledges to lead a "stable and competent" government and criticises the SNP as "incompetent, divided and chaotic".

He says the process of electing a new first minister has nothing to do with delivering for Scotland but is simply about "managing internal divisions within the SNP".

Sarwar says the failures raised during the election of Humza Yousaf as first minister last year have worsened, and claims that NHS waiting lists are longer, homelessness has increased, and the education attainment gap has grown.

He says continuity won't cut it, adding that his government would be focused on house-building, economic growth, raising education standards, and restoring trust and hope in politics.