John Swinney led the Scottish National Party through some of its most turbulent electoral times, but he is now at the heart of the team preparing to form a government.
The Tayside North MSP is in line to get one of the most senior ministerial posts being prepared by Alex Salmond if he becomes First Minister, having pledged to slim the cabinet.
Mr Swinney is chief negotiator in the team talking to civil servants and Greens about the transition. He took this role after building relations with senior officials over recent months of preparatory talks.
Kenny MacAskill, is a solicitor and hardliner-turned-pragmatist. If he continues in the justice brief, the Edinburgh MSP would have manifesto commitments to increase police numbers, tackle alcohol abuse, reform policing and improve rehabilitation and community punishments.
12:01am Wednesday 9th May 2007
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CommentPosted by: Ted on 10:19pm Tue 8 May 07
Swinney's a smart man. I'm sure he realises the SNP can make real progress with the Lib Dems if they just put the referendum on hold. The alternative, as Alex is saying, is minority rule, which will hardly reassure Scots that the SNP are capable of government, let alone independence.
That public confidence will have to be built over four years, which I reckon is achievable, and then hopefully we can secure independence after 2011. The only other problem is the Greens. I can't see them voting for an SNP government that bulldozes Glasgow and Aberdeen, or scraps the trams in Edinburgh. If the SNP are serious, those policies will have to go too. I've never understood why the SNP backed them anyway. Total waste of money, even leaving aside the environmentalists' objections.
That leaves a lot of common ground, surely?
Swinney's a smart man. I'm sure he realises the SNP can make real progress with the Lib Dems if they just put the referendum on hold. The alternative, as Alex is saying, is minority rule, which will hardly reassure Scots that the SNP are capable of government, let alone independence.
That public confidence will have to be built over four years, which I reckon is achievable, and then hopefully we can secure independence after 2011. The only other problem is the Greens. I can't see them voting for an SNP government that bulldozes Glasgow and Aberdeen, or scraps the trams in Edinburgh. If the SNP are serious, those policies will have to go too. I've never understood why the SNP backed them anyway. Total waste of money, even leaving aside the environmentalists' objections.
That leaves a lot of common ground, surely?
Posted by: Oscar, Dumbfreaks and Galloway on 10:54pm Tue 8 May 07
Surprised there's no place for Mike Russell.
Surprised there's no place for Mike Russell.
Posted by: Ted on 11:26pm Tue 8 May 07
Oscar, Mike's a bright man, as he'd tell you himself, but maybe they're saving him for hardball later on with the Lib Dems. Or perhaps he'll be the one who has to explain to the hardcore Nat activists that the referendum will have to wait (no-one's ever given me any plausible scenario for seeing it called, to start with).
Oscar, Mike's a bright man, as he'd tell you himself, but maybe they're saving him for hardball later on with the Lib Dems. Or perhaps he'll be the one who has to explain to the hardcore Nat activists that the referendum will have to wait (no-one's ever given me any plausible scenario for seeing it called, to start with).
Posted by: Ron, Just down the road on 1:16am Wed 9 May 07
#Ted
......Bulldoze Glasgow and Aberdeen......Oh,..eh, Really.
This wouldn't be another wee scare story in the making, would it? Get it from the Daily Retard, did you?
#Ted
......Bulldoze Glasgow and Aberdeen......Oh,..eh, Really.
This wouldn't be another wee scare story in the making, would it? Get it from the Daily Retard, did you?
Posted by: Stevie, Bo'ness on 1:20am Wed 9 May 07
Ted pay attention! The SNP were prepared to stall the independence issue or even defer it to a constitutional convention, whatever it took to reach a stable deal with the Lib Dems, who are refusing even to open coallition talks. The sh*ts!
What the SNP are NOT prepared to do is give up on independence.
Ted pay attention! The SNP were prepared to stall the independence issue or even defer it to a constitutional convention, whatever it took to reach a stable deal with the Lib Dems, who are refusing even to open coallition talks. The sh*ts!
What the SNP are NOT prepared to do is give up on independence.
Posted by: Peter Cherbi, Edinburgh on 1:33am Wed 9 May 07
John Swinney is certainly one of the best msps I've found in the Scottish Parliament who is prepared to tackle the issues no matter how difficult for constituents, and good to see him in the position he is now in.
As well as paying attention to Law and the Justice system, I hope Kenny MacAskill pays attention to the problems of injustice, which have been left to fester for so long, and given the ongoing attempt by the legal profession to put the boot in over the election win by the SNP, and last year's threat by the Law Society to take the Scottish Parliament to Court, I hope he sides on the side of the needs of the people, rather than the reeds & requirements of the professions.
John Swinney is certainly one of the best msps I've found in the Scottish Parliament who is prepared to tackle the issues no matter how difficult for constituents, and good to see him in the position he is now in.
As well as paying attention to Law and the Justice system, I hope Kenny MacAskill pays attention to the problems of injustice, which have been left to fester for so long, and given the ongoing attempt by the legal profession to put the boot in over the election win by the SNP, and last year's threat by the Law Society to take the Scottish Parliament to Court, I hope he sides on the side of the needs of the people, rather than the reeds & requirements of the professions.
Posted by: Robbie on 2:08am Wed 9 May 07
I've met John Swinney he is a nice man and extremely intelligent, he just didnt have the "killer intinct" when he was SNP leader.
Its only right that he gets to be involved in government I think he will be really effective.
I've met John Swinney he is a nice man and extremely intelligent, he just didnt have the "killer intinct" when he was SNP leader.
Its only right that he gets to be involved in government I think he will be really effective.
Posted by: scotleag on 7:25am Wed 9 May 07
Ted @ 11.26
Mike Russell will be nowhere near the SNP cabinet. Eck does not want anyone close who is his intellectual superior. You are right about one thing. Mike will get the dirty job of explaining why there will be no referendum to those too stupid to add up (50 pro-independence msps, 79 pro-union)
This will further decrease his already low popularity amongst activists and ensure a lower list placing next time, forcing him out of parliament just as they did in 2003 and almost happened again in 2007.
Ted @ 11.26
Mike Russell will be nowhere near the SNP cabinet. Eck does not want anyone close who is his intellectual superior. You are right about one thing. Mike will get the dirty job of explaining why there will be no referendum to those too stupid to add up (50 pro-independence msps, 79 pro-union)
This will further decrease his already low popularity amongst activists and ensure a lower list placing next time, forcing him out of parliament just as they did in 2003 and almost happened again in 2007.
Posted by: Anne, Glasgow on 9:15am Wed 9 May 07
[quote][bold]Oscar[/bold] wrote:
Surprised there\'s no place for Mike Russell.[/quote] Because Alex Salmond has promised to slim down the government, it means there are fewer ministerial posts available but each department will have MSPs within it who have particular briefs to work on. Mike and everyone else will be used to their strengths. Not everyone can take one of the top briefs and you'd expect those with recent parliament experience would be the first port of call when we are putting together our first government.
Oscar wrote:
Surprised there\'s no place for Mike Russell.
Because Alex Salmond has promised to slim down the government, it means there are fewer ministerial posts available but each department will have MSPs within it who have particular briefs to work on. Mike and everyone else will be used to their strengths. Not everyone can take one of the top briefs and you'd expect those with recent parliament experience would be the first port of call when we are putting together our first government.
Posted by: Ted on 9:26am Wed 9 May 07
Stevie, although I have been paying attention, I assure you, it just looks like the SNP and the Lib Dems haven't quite tango'd close enough to each other yet.
I hope you're right, though. And of course no-one would expect the Nats to give up on independence - merely postponing it for this parliament would surely be enough.
Stevie, although I have been paying attention, I assure you, it just looks like the SNP and the Lib Dems haven't quite tango'd close enough to each other yet.
I hope you're right, though. And of course no-one would expect the Nats to give up on independence - merely postponing it for this parliament would surely be enough.
Posted by: Oscar, Dumfropolis on 9:47am Wed 9 May 07
Scotleag said;
[quote]This will further decrease his already low popularity amongst activists and ensure a lower list placing next time, forcing him out of parliament just as they did in 2003 and almost happened again in 2007.[/quote]
[bold]Err, Mike Russell was number one on the list and doubled the vote from 3000 to 6000 for Dumfries.[/bold]
Given that he also sat on the Arbuthnot Commission I'd imagine he'd have a particular insight into the recommendations they made to Douglas Alexander.
Scotleag said;
This will further decrease his already low popularity amongst activists and ensure a lower list placing next time, forcing him out of parliament just as they did in 2003 and almost happened again in 2007.
Err, Mike Russell was number one on the list and doubled the vote from 3000 to 6000 for Dumfries.
Given that he also sat on the Arbuthnot Commission I'd imagine he'd have a particular insight into the recommendations they made to Douglas Alexander.
Posted by: R MacLeod, London on 9:58am Wed 9 May 07
There is more intellect and brains in the aforementioned list than in the entire 46 Labour team.
You just had to listen to the likes of Pauline McNeil at the count to see the worth of what hads been in power for 8 years .
There is more intellect and brains in the aforementioned list than in the entire 46 Labour team.
You just had to listen to the likes of Pauline McNeil at the count to see the worth of what hads been in power for 8 years .
Posted by: Alastair, Aberdeen on 10:20am Wed 9 May 07
[quote][bold]R MacLeod[/bold] wrote:
There is more intellect and brains in the aforementioned list than in the entire 46 Labour team. You just had to listen to the likes of Pauline McNeil at the count to see the worth of what hads been in power for 8 years . [/quote] [bold]R MacLeod:[/bold] [italic]a propos[/italic] Pauline McNeil, I watched this spectacle, and the BBC commentator's remark was: "Pauline McNeil letting off steam there!" I suppose you need to when you're full of hot air!
R MacLeod wrote:
There is more intellect and brains in the aforementioned list than in the entire 46 Labour team. You just had to listen to the likes of Pauline McNeil at the count to see the worth of what hads been in power for 8 years .
R MacLeod: a propos Pauline McNeil, I watched this spectacle, and the BBC commentator's remark was: "Pauline McNeil letting off steam there!" I suppose you need to when you're full of hot air!
Posted by: The West Awake, Argyll on 10:43am Wed 9 May 07
Swinney is a great assett for the SNP but only as a right-hand man. To have true leadership qualities, which Salmond has in spades, is unusual (totally absent in the case of Labour) and it's no real slight to Swinney to say he doesn't have it.
The Lib-Dems started off low in my estimation, but are now at the level of a snakes waistcoat. It is obvious to a blind person that the Unionist coalition which they promised would'nt happen is alive and kicking.
Swinney is a great assett for the SNP but only as a right-hand man. To have true leadership qualities, which Salmond has in spades, is unusual (totally absent in the case of Labour) and it's no real slight to Swinney to say he doesn't have it.
The Lib-Dems started off low in my estimation, but are now at the level of a snakes waistcoat. It is obvious to a blind person that the Unionist coalition which they promised would'nt happen is alive and kicking.
Posted by: Thyme Kelpie on 11:14am Wed 9 May 07
I've heard of this 'acceptance speech' of Pauline McNeil, but unfortunately have not seen it. Is it available anywhere for scrutiny as a few of us would like to catch up. I suspect it was broadcast at a time we were either bedded because of work or at work.
Can anyone help please?
There is certainly far more ability in the SNP team than the 'others' and probably even in the hole of Westminster too!
I've heard of this 'acceptance speech' of Pauline McNeil, but unfortunately have not seen it. Is it available anywhere for scrutiny as a few of us would like to catch up. I suspect it was broadcast at a time we were either bedded because of work or at work.
Can anyone help please?
There is certainly far more ability in the SNP team than the 'others' and probably even in the hole of Westminster too!
Posted by: consistency on 2:28pm Wed 9 May 07
[quote][bold]Anne[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Oscar[/bold] wrote: Surprised there\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s no place for Mike Russell.[/quote] Because Alex Salmond has promised to slim down the government, it means there are fewer ministerial posts available but each department will have MSPs within it who have particular briefs to work on. Mike and everyone else will be used to their strengths. Not everyone can take one of the top briefs and you\\\\\\\'d expect those with recent parliament experience would be the first port of call when we are putting together our first government.[/quote] Mike Russell has lots of experience from the first Parliament!
As for 'slimmer govt', that may happen with a one-party minority government, but not if there is a coalition where ministerial places inside and outside cabinet for the other party/parties. Unless some of those senior SNP folk give up the chance of office....
Anne wrote:
Oscar wrote: Surprised there\\\\\\\\\\\\'s no place for Mike Russell.
Because Alex Salmond has promised to slim down the government, it means there are fewer ministerial posts available but each department will have MSPs within it who have particular briefs to work on. Mike and everyone else will be used to their strengths. Not everyone can take one of the top briefs and you\\\\'d expect those with recent parliament experience would be the first port of call when we are putting together our first government.
Mike Russell has lots of experience from the first Parliament!
As for 'slimmer govt', that may happen with a one-party minority government, but not if there is a coalition where ministerial places inside and outside cabinet for the other party/parties. Unless some of those senior SNP folk give up the chance of office....
Posted by: Alan F, Edinburgh on 3:08pm Wed 9 May 07
The Lib Dems are obviously not entertaining talks because they are being told not to do so by Ming Campbell. It's a simple as that. Proves that the Scottish wing of the Unionist parties have little or no say whaysoever in Scotland, which is a real shame. After eight years of mis rule by Scottish MAFIA Labour! The Lib Dems should sieze this wonderful opportunity that is before them and help make Scotland a better place. SNP offer to put the "big" issue on the back burner sounds fair enough to me....
The Lib Dems are obviously not entertaining talks because they are being told not to do so by Ming Campbell. It's a simple as that. Proves that the Scottish wing of the Unionist parties have little or no say whaysoever in Scotland, which is a real shame. After eight years of mis rule by Scottish MAFIA Labour! The Lib Dems should sieze this wonderful opportunity that is before them and help make Scotland a better place. SNP offer to put the "big" issue on the back burner sounds fair enough to me....
