Scottish News RECAP: John Swinney to face his first First Minister's Questions
Catch up on what happened at John Swinney’s first First Minister’s Questions and the reaction to his new cabinet
Scottish Politics RECAP: John Swinney faces his first first minister's questions | Reactions to the new Scottish cabinet
Key Events
- John Swinney will face his first FMQs since becoming First Minister
- The new Scottish cabinet has been unveiled, with Kate Forbes becoming deputy first minister
- But the role of independence minister has been dropped
We knew the Scottish Greens weren’t happy with the appointment of Kate Forbes as deputy first minister, but they have really gone for her now.
Co-leader Patrick Harvie, who himself is bisexual, says she is anti-LGBT, has “judgemental attitudes towards abortion and thinks those who have families without being married are wrong”.
He says her appointment has “taken us back to the repressive values of the 1950s”.
Mr Swinney said: “That is not the direction my government is going - I will lead from the moderate centre-left position, which is supported by all members.
“I offer myself to be First Minister for everyone.”
Mr Harvie added: “I am not yet sure the First Minister acknowledges just how worried many LGBT people are.”
Patrick Harvie is now asking about whether Kate Forbes will commit to progressive taxation, which they say is necessary for good social policy.
I can see the new First Minister and deputy first minister deliberating their response between them just now.
Mr Swinney said Ms Forbes previously introduced progressive taxes when she was finance secretary.
Slightly odd thing to go on, as when the Scottish Greens first entered government, Kate Forbes was still the finance secretary.
It’s not just in Holyrood that John Swinney is getting criticised - Scottish Labour MP Ian Murray is currently handing out his own copies of “John Swinney’s CV” to journalists in the press gallery at the House of Commons.
Got to love the “hobbies and special interests” section, which reads:
Running (for SNP leader)
Reading (resignation letters)
Sailing (close to the wind)
Painting (myself as the change candidate despite being a minister for 16 of the past 17 years)
Cleaning (up my WhatsApp messages)
The Holyrood press pack is reading to catch a word with John Swinney and Kate Forbes after they finish FMQs.
First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes walk out of the debating chamber together and speak to the gathered media waiting outside.
John Swinney is due to hold a cabinet meeting tomorrow, and again on Tuesday morning - the cabinet will then meet as usual every Tuesday morning at Bute House.
After his cabinet meeting, he is due to go out on a number of media visits.
After FMQs each week journalists get to have a sit down briefing with some of the government special advisers, who said John Swinney’s performance today shows “his style of leadership”.
A government spokesman said: “He had complete candour about the state of the financial pressures caused by years of austerity, rising costs and complications from Brexit.
“That is the style of leadership, not just in the chamber but the wider public - that is how we make progress.”
At the post-FMQs briefing with journalists, government special advisers were asked about the decision to axe the position of independence minister.
They told us John Swinney expects “all ministers to be ministers for independence, including himself”.
Parliament is back after a break for lunch - and the new cabinet secretaries and ministers need to be officially approved, including the new Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.
John Swinney said: “Let me set out my approach to the ministerial team.
“When I accepted the nomination for First Minister, I promised to govern for the whole of Scotland.
“Governments across the world are facing substantial challenges and I believe where possible the best approach is to build consensus.
“My party is occupied in the mainstream, moderate left of centre tradition - this is where most people in Scotland want us to be.”
He also points to the Scottish Greens in particular, saying he hopes he and they can find “common ground”.
Mr Swinney said: “I am delighted Kate Forbes has accepted the role of deputy first minister.
“Kate Forbes has made a significant contribution to this parliamentary chamber - and her daughter appears to be making a significant contribution from the gallery as well.”
Cue lots of laughter and a big smile from Ms Forbes.
He continued: “Kate Forbes is held extremely highly by the business community and in championing the success of Scotland’s economy.
“As Scotland continues to be buffeted by Westminster austerity, it is more important than ever to use every lever at our disposal to harness the economic strength.
“Kate Forbes will play a key role in driving that forward to ensure we deliver growth for a purpose and improve public services.”
He added Ivan McKee, who is becoming public finance minister, brings “significant professional and political experience”.
So the Scottish Conservatives are going to vote against the appointment of Kate Forbes as deputy first minister.
The party’s deputy leader Meghan Gallacher said: “While the government remains the same, this parliament has changed.
“The SNP no longer commands a majority in this chamber.
“It ended their deal with the Greens, and while we welcomed the end of this agreement, it has consequences - the SNP must change their approach, reach out and build consensus and collaborate, or they will be blocked.
“That is why we will not be supporting the appointments today.
“This is not a personal criticism, instead we are putting down a marker that this government must change its approach.
“We will take every opportunity to oppose this SNP government and its obsession with independence, but it doesn’t mean we are not above working with other parties to deliver the real priorities of Scotland.”
Sounds like the Scottish Labour Party won’t be voting for Kate Forbes as deputy first minister.
Martin Whitfield MSP said: “The public don’t believe continuity will cut it, but it seems that is the extent of the government’s ambition.
“I wish, genuinely, all the ministers appointed today well, but I fear the task ahead is beyond them.
“Scotland is crying out for change, but it is clear this tired government won’t deliver it.”
So despite the Conservatives, Labour and Greens all planning to vote against the appointment of Kate Forbes as deputy first minister, the Lib Dems are going to abstain.
They only have four votes - but it looks like she will safely be voted in.
A bruising statement now from Ross Greer from the Scottish Greens, who made it very clear they will not be voting to approve Kate Forbes as deputy first minister.
He said: “John Swinney knows the esteem I hold him in, but you are asking people who are LGBT to vote for someone who thinks it's wrong to give us the same rights.
“I can’t support someone who doesn’t believe everyone is equal and deserves respect under the law, and I can’t support someone who disagrees with equal marriage or having a family outside of marriage.”
He continued: “In the last few years it feels like we are going backwards.
“Scotland is a harder place to be LGBT today than it was five years ago, with the existence of LGBT people being called into question in a way many of us thought was consigned to history.
“Many LGBT Scots are afraid, and I know that is not your intention or Kate Forbes’s intention, but it is the reality.”
He added: “I know John Swinney considers me and all LGBT members are equal and feels our joy at having equal marriage - but asking someone who does not share that joy, does not think we deserve equality, and thinks there is something wrong with us, the Scottish Greens won’t do that.”
During his speech Kate Forbes was spotted scrolling on her mobile phone.
In response to the comments made by opposition parties on Kate Forbes, Mr Swinney has just spoken about his own Christian faith.
He says this i the “the most forthright comments about faith that I have ever uttered in my 45 years in politics”.
Mr Swinney said: “I understand Ross Greer and his colleagues know I respect the issues, considerations and perspectives they have.
“I lead a modern, diverse, dynamic society whose government recognises that we want to keep it that way.”
He added: “I cannot convey strongly enough that everyone, and I mean absolutely everyone, should feel they are at home and at peace in our society.
“I believe nothing can separate us from the love of God.
“We are equal in the eyes of God.
“I hope these comments, the most forthright comments about faith that I have ever uttered in my 45 years in politics, demonstrate the magnitude and seriousness which I embark on in the office as First Minister.”
The voting bell has just gone off in parliament - MSPs are now voting on whether to appoint Kate Forbes as deputy first minister.
Kate Forbes has now officially been approved as deputy first minister.
However she hasn’t won the vote by a large margin. Yes got 63 votes, no got 57 votes and there were three abstentions.
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