Graeme McCormick has dropped out of the race to become leader of the SNP and has instead backed rival John Swinney as Scotland’s next First Minister.
McCormick’s decision not to pursue a leadership bid leaves Swinney as the only official candidate after Humza Yousaf announced that he is leaving his position.
Yousaf said he resigned last week after deciding to end the power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Green Party.
In a statement shared with Sky News, McCormick, a party activist, said he had a “long and fruitful conversation” with Swinney, adding that he had “reached the threshold set by the party rules”.
“John and I agree on the challenges facing the SNP, our government and our people, and we have explored new thinking on a range of issues that I am confident, as they progress, will inspire activists both within the SNP and the wider independence movement. broad in the weeks and months ahead,” he said.
“This is a new beginning for our members and our politicians, and I am sure that John’s determination to achieve Independence will be rewarded at the next general election.
“I have therefore concluded that I will not proceed with my nomination for Party Leader, but will instead support the nomination of John Swinney for Party Leader and First Minister of Scotland.”
It means the party will avoid a three-week leadership contest that would have been triggered had McCormick not stepped aside and received it. the 100 nominations required.
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Early on Sunday, Mr. Swinney warned potential challengers from entering the racesaying this would delay the “reconstruction” of the party.
“My attempt to become leader of the SNP received very, very broad support within the SNP. I sent a message about unifying the SNP to strengthen our party and achieve independence for Scotland,” he told Sky’s Trevor Phillips.
“I think this is necessary because the SNP is not currently as cohesive as the party needs to be, and my campaign attracted very broad support.
“So I think the SNP has an opportunity to start rebuilding the difficult period we’ve had under my leadership and, frankly, I’d just like to get on with that as quickly as possible, because every day we spend in an internal dispute, which I think As we probably all know the outcome, we have delayed the SNP’s ability to begin their rebuild and I want to get on with that as quickly as possible.”
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