The Scottish National Party (SNP) is regaining political momentum under the leadership of John Swinney, less than a year after the party’s worst electoral setback in a generation. Once facing internal strife and a police probe, the SNP now appears revitalized, with polls suggesting it could again emerge as Scotland’s leading political force in next year’s parliamentary election.
Swinney Brings Stability After Turmoil
A year ago, the SNP looked politically exhausted. The party’s representation in Westminster had plunged from 48 MPs to just nine, and it had cycled through three leaders — Nicola Sturgeon, Humza Yousaf, and finally John Swinney — in barely twelve months. Combined with bitter internal divisions over gender identity laws and the long-running investigation into party finances, the SNP seemed adrift.
However, Swinney’s calm leadership and focus on unity have restored a sense of order. Party members attending this week’s SNP conference in Aberdeen described a noticeably upbeat atmosphere. “The party feels competitive again,” one senior official noted, as delegates spoke confidently of a potential comeback in 2026 — even entertaining the possibility of regaining a Holyrood majority.
Polls Suggest SNP Recovery
According to polling analysis by More in Common, the SNP’s position has improved slightly since last year’s general election. Meanwhile, Labour’s support has more than halved in Scotland, and Reform UK has emerged as a surprising challenger for second place, splitting votes among opposition parties.
The result, analysts say, could leave the SNP “just shy of a majority” in the Scottish Parliament — not because of massive gains, but due to fragmentation among its rivals. Still, this is a remarkable turnaround for a party that looked destined for decline only months ago.
Independence Debate Returns to the Fore
Swinney’s central political message is clear: a renewed majority at Holyrood could justify another Scottish independence referendum. The SNP argues that when Alex Salmond secured a majority in 2011, it paved the way for the 2014 referendum — a precedent the party hopes to repeat.
Yet the road remains difficult. The UK government has ruled out another referendum, and even if Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer were to lose power, his manifesto commitment against a vote would remain.
Despite these obstacles, Swinney insists that the SNP can still offer Scotland a compelling vision rooted in free university tuition, prescription access, and social justice — achievements that continue to resonate with voters.
As Scotland remains almost evenly divided over independence, Swinney’s challenge is to harness that enduring passion while steering the SNP toward renewed credibility and cohesion. In an era where politics changes swiftly, his leadership may yet prove that the SNP’s story is far from over.
