SNP Leader John Swinney launched the party's Westminster election manifesto in Edinburgh, emphasizing the party's commitment to Scottish independence. Swinney stated that the upcoming election is an opportunity to intensify the pressure on the UK government for independence. He acknowledged that there is no guarantee of success for an independent Scotland but reiterated the SNP's dedication to putting the interests of Scotland first and providing principled leadership. Swinney also addressed questions about the SNP's record on achieving independence, stopping Brexit, and reaching climate change targets. He criticized the Conservative government, calling it a 'total disaster and calamity,' and expressed a desire for a Labour win, though he stressed the need for SNP MPs to represent Scottish interests. Despite potential challenges, Swinney insisted that the SNP would push for another independence referendum even if they do not win a majority of Scottish seats in Westminster. He highlighted the importance of having a democratic debate and noted the SNP's experience as a minority government.
SNP leader John Swinney asked which Westminster leader would be best for Scotland, Sunak or Starmer. He says Tory govt “has been a total disaster and calamity, so it can’t be out of office quick enough”. He adds Labour win is “racing certainty” but says Scotland needs SNP MPs…
“Are you going to carry on with independence referenda until you get the answer you want?” “I do believe in the right of the people of Scotland to decide” John Swinney is pressed on what happens if the SNP do not win a majority of Scottish seats in the general election #bbcqt https://t.co/XYXmYPNe4l
Next up is John Swinney, he is challenged on how he can rebuild trust following repeated scandals within the SNP and whether the party has become complacent in recent years #bbcqt
Can’t believe John Swinney’s performance on #bbcqt - he has been at the heart of the SNP govt for 16 years; he is the architect of austerity in Scotland; he is responsible for much of the division in Scottish politics. And he created a culture of secrecy in govt. #VoteScotLab24
🚨 NEW: SNP's John Swinney is asked which Westminster leader is best for Scotland - Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer? Swinney: "I think the Conservative has been a total disaster and calamity, it can't be out of office quicker enough" Audience gives an applause #bbcqt https://t.co/R8h2EogFHr
🚨 NEW: SNP's John Swinney is asked which Westminster is best for Scotland - Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer? Swinney: "I think the Conservative has been a total disaster and calamity, it can't be out of office quicker enough" Audience gives an applause #bbcqt https://t.co/c72cJhnJp6
🟡 How do you think SNP leader John Swinney performed on #bbcqt?
🟡 Brexit caused a “very material change in circumstances that merits another referendum” on an independent Scotland, John Swinney has said Follow the latest from #bbcqt 👇 https://t.co/e2PD82LPyd https://t.co/JQPQVbZX0Q
SNP’s John Swinney is asked if he’d rather PM Sunak or Starmer. He says the Conservative government has been “a total disaster and a calamity”. He says Rishi Sunak cannot be out of office quick enough.
🚨 NEW: SNP's John Swinney is asked how he can "bring people in Scotland together" when he's campaigning for a "second divisive independence referendum" Swinney: "It's about having a democratic debate... I've never seen politics in such a bad position as it is today" "It's… https://t.co/pIPvjocVVS
It still makes no sense that #bbcqt has John Swinney on despite the fact that the vast majority of the country can’t even vote for the SNP. Nigel Farage should have been on to liven this up instead of this SNP bore.
🟡 John Swinney has blamed the UK Government for not allowing the SNP to put “the concept” of independence to the public Follow the latest from #bbcqt 👇 https://t.co/e2PD82LPyd https://t.co/3Xx6ko69x3
John Swinney pressed on implications if #SNP doesn't win a majority of Scottish seats at Westminster - what does that mean for calls for independence? He dodges, simply replying he wants to encourage people to vote for his party #bbcqt
🚨 NEW: SNP leader John Swinney is asked if electoral reform is the answer to prevent SNP "complacency" and "one party domination" "The first four years we were a minority government... we actually don't have that overall control" #bbcqt https://t.co/xNvZR61EHV
🚨 NEW: SNP leader John Swinney admits the SNP has "had a very tough time" over the past few years #bbcqt
🗳️ The SNP will have a mandate for another independence referendum even if it suffers an election wipeout, John Swinney has insisted as he unveiled his party’s manifesto https://t.co/xDg4rkzTbA
SNP’s John Swinney reiterates independence goal at manifesto launch https://t.co/sPeq5j3nvF
John Swinney says whether the SNP gets a majority or not, he will push for independence. But he says if his party can win the majority of seats in Scotland, it will “intensify” his push for independence. More coming up on @itvnews https://t.co/zvmieftvOg https://t.co/2C8pWeNLeS
SNP Leader John Swinney tells @PeterAdamSmith he wants to 'intensify pressure on the UK government' over Scottish independence https://t.co/lvgJd8OpX9
"What's your message to Scots... who might be wondering what's the point in voting SNP?" @KathrynSamsonC4 challenges SNP leader John Swinney over his party's record on achieving independence, stopping Brexit and reaching climate change targets. https://t.co/AVVp1Fn7z7
🏴 John Swinney said there was no guarantee an independent Scotland would succeed as he launched the SNP’s general election manifesto at an event in Edinburgh Follow the latest updates on our politics live blog ⬇️ https://t.co/HeQdkBuyhI https://t.co/SAQWnRjTQz
"What this election gives people the chance to do is to intensify the pressure to secure Scottish independence," John Swinney says @BBCJamesCook asks the SNP leader about his party's ambitions for independence Follow live https://t.co/6N5758OUyW https://t.co/RLOP4yTbMK
John Swinney launches SNP’s manifesto – live https://t.co/NK0t8XXcWJ
"I believe people are crying out for principled leadership" SNP leader John Swinney outlines his party's manifesto, adding his party "will always put the interests of people in Scotland first" Follow live https://t.co/on0sBZ9PbM https://t.co/fFan4szrRL
Watch live as SNP Leader John Swinney launches the SNP’s Westminster election manifesto in Edinburgh https://t.co/H050LStyqq