There were a number of reports yesterday that a character called Graeme McCormick, based near Loch Lomond, was going to challenge him, claiming to have gathered enough signatures (100 required from 20 different SNP branches by Monday) during an All Under One Banner pro-independence march and rally in Glasgow on Saturday. McCormick isn't a complete unknown in SNP circles, having chaired his local banch, having a prolific amount of letters published in newspapers and having run unsuccessfuly for SNP president last year.
He'd be quite entitled to do so, of course, but SNP members who've been canvassing for the forthcoming general election were unhappy because one of his stances is that SNP MPs should withdraw from Westminster, kind of undermining the whole exercise. He also wants the SNP to call an early Holyrood election. He would have been eligible to be party leader, but not First Minister, for the insurmountable reason that he's not a member of the Scottish Parliament. The prospect of a hustings lasting until the end of May, with the media predictably making a meal of supposed splits in the SNP, also didn't appeal to many when the ultimate result would be a foregone conclusion and there are more immediately pressing matters to deal with.
But tonight ...
SNP activist withdraws leadership challenge against John Swinney
AN SNP activist set to challenge John Swinney for the party leadership has withdrawn his candidacy after a “lengthy and fruitful conversation” between the pair.
...
In a statement, he said: “I refer to my nomination to be leader of the SNP and would thank everyone from across the country who supported me. We met the thresholds set by the party rules.
“I’d also like to put on record my thanks to John Swinney MSP with whom I had a lengthy and fruitful conversation.
“John and I agreed the challenges which the SNP, our Government and our people face, and explored new thinking on a range of issues which I am confident, as they are advanced, will inspire activists both within the SNP and wider independence movement in the following weeks and months.
“This is a fresh start for our members and our politicians, and I’m sure that John’s determination to deliver independence will be rewarded at the forthcoming General Election.
“I have therefore concluded that I shall not proceed with my nomination for party leader but instead support John Swinney’s nomination for party leader and first minister of Scotland."
https://www.thenational.scot/news/24300639.snp-activist-withdraws-leadership-challenge-john-swinney/
So Swinney, whose pitch for the job has been that he feels he can unite the SNP, has talked round Kate Forbes, who initially considered standing but now backs him enthusiastically, and also Graeme McCormick, who could have been a right pain in the arse.
Not a bad start before he's even in post.
There's the small matter that even if elected by the SNP unopposed, Swinney couldn't become First Minister without being elected by a majority of MSPs like any other First Minister, but given that he's had decent relationships with the Scottish Greens in the past, they almost certainly will vote with the SNP and elect him even if the whole of the rest of the Opposition oppose him.
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