2024 Scottish National Party leadership election

announcing his intention to resign as SNP leader on 29 April 2024 Following Nicola Sturgeon's resignation as leader of the SNP and as first minister, Humza Yousaf won the 2023 SNP leadership election, defeating Kate Forbes with 52% to her 48% in the final stage. Yousaf was appointed first minister on 29 March 2023, becoming the youngest person, the first Scottish Asian, and the first Muslim to serve in office. He was sworn into the Privy Council in May 2023. In April 2024, Yousaf faced a confidence challenge following his termination of the Bute House Agreement between the SNP and their co-operation partners the Scottish Greens. This was following changes to landmark climate policy by Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan, after which a planned Greens vote on the continuation of the agreement was announced. Following the end of the agreement Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, co-leaders of the Greens announced they would support a no confidence motion in Yousaf alongside the other opposition parties, meaning this would likely pass. Yousaf announced his resignation on 29 April 2024 before the vote could take place, triggering a leadership election. == Campaign ==

On 30 April, Forbes and Swinney held meetings to discuss the leadership. Swinney announced Forbes would receive a significant role in his government if elected, and Forbes soon after announced she would not be standing. Following Swinney's election, this was later enacted with Forbes appointed as his Deputy First Minister and the new Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic. Veteran activist Graeme McCormick announced to the press that he believed he had the 100 nominations necessary on 5 May. Later that day, after having a conversation with Swinney, he withdrew from the race and endorsed Swinney. == Candidates ==

Declared Explored The following individuals initially explored a candidacy but later withdrew: • Kate Forbes, former Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy (2020–2023) (endorsed Swinney) • Graeme McCormick, SNP activist (endorsed Swinney) (endorsed Swinney) • Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care • Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy • Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (endorsed Swinney) • Shona Robison, Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Finance (endorsed Swinney) == Endorsements ==

John Swinney Members of the Scottish Parliament • Keith Brown, Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party • Graeme Dey, Minister for Veterans • James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart • Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch • Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills • Gordon Macdonald, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands • Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden • Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy • Jenni Minto, MSP for Argyll and Bute • Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture • Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands • Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central • Evelyn Tweed, MSP for Stirling • Elena Whitham, MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley Members of Parliament • Ian Blackford, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber and former leader of the Scottish National Party in the House of Commons • Stephen Flynn, MP for Aberdeen South and leader of the Scottish National Party in the House of Commons since 2022 • Stewart McDonald, MP for Glasgow South • Anne McLaughlin, MP for Glasgow North East • Tommy Sheppard, MP for Edinburgh East • Alyn Smith, MP for Stirling • Owen Thompson, MP for Midlothian • Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire == Opinion polls ==