Swinney optimistic about 2026 vote after ‘punishing defeat’ last year
John Swinney has spoken of his optimism about the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, saying he hopes the SNP can win despite a “punishing defeat” last year.
The First Minister also said his party would not include a policy on council tax revaluation in its manifesto ahead of the vote.
He spoke to the Ponsonby and Massie Podcast on Wednesday, discussing how his year-long stint on the backbenches had helped him recover from a long period in government which had left him physically and mentally “exhausted”.
However, Mr Swinney says he has “every intention of winning” in 2026 and running once again in 2031.
Last year’s general election saw the SNP fall to just nine Westminster seats, ending a period where they had dominated the electoral landscape in Scotland.
Asked about next year’s vote, Mr Swinney told the podcast: “I look upon it with optimism, I think I can win the 2026 election.
“I think we took an absolutely punishing defeat in July of last year.”
He said this defeat stemmed from voters’ desire to change the government, as well as people feeling “disappointed in the SNP”.
“I can’t do anything about the first sentiment, that people wanted to get rid of the Tory government and they voted Labour to do that, I can do something about the second,” he said.
A recent Ipsos poll was put to him which suggested the public are critical of the Scottish Government’s record in improving public services.
The First Minister said there is “more and more” evidence of improvements in the NHS, citing waiting times for child mental health services which have hit their target for the first time.
Discussing council tax reform, Mr Swinney was reminded that most properties in Scotland are thought to be in the wrong council tax band.
He said: “We’ve never gone into an election with a commitment to a revaluation and I don’t intend to do so.”
Mr Swinney also reiterated his belief that there should be another referendum on independence, saying there is an appetite for it and he wants to give “impetus” to the argument.