John Swinney has announced a plan to “defend democracy” from extremism and has admitted he intends to fight the Scottish elections as First Minister in 2031.

Mr Swinney, 60, who was elected for a second stint as SNP leader following Humza Yousaf’s resignation last year, told a conference that it was an “extraordinary privilege” to lead his party and the Scottish government.

He confirmed his ambition to fight the 2031 election and potentially remain in office until 2036, when he would be 72 years old.

“I’m giving it absolutely everything. I hope to win the 2026 election and have committed myself to the next parliamentary term,” he told those attending the Association for Scottish Public Affairs conference in Edinburgh.

His ambitions may disappoint potential successors, such as Stephen Flynn, the party’s Westminster leader.

Mr Swinney’s confidence will have been boosted by recent polling which has suggested Scottish Labour is heading for its worst Holyrood election result since devolution. The SNP is currently on course to secure 55 MSPs in next year’s elections. With the Scottish Greens forecast to win ten seats it would create a pro-independence majority of one.

Liberal Democrats would win an extra nine seats, taking them to 13 MSPs. The Tories would lose 13 of their 31, and Labour four, leaving both parties with 18 MSPs each.

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, which currently has no representation, is predicted to win 15 seats and at a press conference at Bute House Mr Swinney indicated that he takes the threat seriously.

He called for a cross-party alliance to fight the challenge from the right wing. He will host a summit in April that will bring together party leaders and representatives from key organisations across Scotland including churches, trades unions and charities.

It will be an opportunity to renew public trust in politics and unite Scotland in a common cause – “for democracy and respect”, he told journalists.

Reform UK’s rise has seen it take support from the Tories and Labour as well as the SNP and Mr Swinney said the passing of the Scottish budget, and the ability of parties to work together, had been important in rebuilding trust in the system.

He said that at the start of the year he had “warned that failure to pass the budget would send a signal that Parliament and politics could not deliver. That failure would only serve the interests of an increasingly extreme far right and leave devolution dangerously exposed.

“But the budget has passed, and a different story can be told. Yesterday’s vote demonstrated that partnership and collaboration are possible. And that is something precious, something vitally important itself.

“But we must do more. It is time to come together to draw a line in the sand. To set out who we are and what we believe in. 

“The threat from the far right is real, but that leaves me all the more convinced that working together is not only the right choice but the only choice.”

Liz Smith to leave parliament

Scottish Conservative MSP Liz Smith will not seek re-election next year after deciding to pursue other public duties.

Ms Smith, who is 65 today, is a former teacher, cricketer and political adviser to Sir Malcolm Rifkind. She was appointed Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Security by Russell Findlay when he took over as party leader last year.

She has been an MSP since 2007 and was Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform from 2020 to 2021 and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government before her most recent appointment.

“I feel that, after two decades as an MSP, it is time for new blood and also because I have the opportunity to move on to other pursuits in public life,” she said.

“It has been the greatest privilege to serve the Scottish Parliament and the electorate of Mid Scotland and Fife for two decades and to enjoy the support of many parliamentary colleagues across the political spectrum.

“I shall always be grateful to Sir Malcolm Rifkind and the late David McLetchie for their advice and encouragement in my early years in elected politics and to all my colleagues and staff members who have worked tirelessly with me over the years.

“Meanwhile, there is still a great deal of work to be undertaken at Holyrood not least of which is securing the successful passage of my Member’s Bill.”

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “I’d like to thank Liz Smith for her long and dedicated service to our party and to the Scottish Parliament.

“She takes her responsibilities as an MSP seriously and her depth of knowledge and experience, coupled with her scrupulous analysis and sense of fairness, have won her respect from across the political spectrum.

“I look forward to continuing to work with Liz until next year’s critical Holyrood election, and wish her all the best for the future.”