SNP Leader John Swinney Commits to National Smartphone Ban in Scottish Classrooms
First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney has vowed to introduce a comprehensive national ban on smartphones in classrooms across Scotland if his party secures victory in the upcoming Scottish Parliament election in May. Mr Swinney emphasised that these devices serve as "a distraction from learning," and he pledged to enact legislation post-election to enforce this prohibition uniformly throughout the nation.
Current Policies and Proposed National Legislation
At present, head teachers in Scotland possess the authority to implement smartphone bans within their individual schools, with several local councils having already adopted such measures. However, Mr Swinney outlined a more extensive strategy, stating that the SNP aims to "ensure a full national ban in Scotland’s classrooms" to create a consistent educational environment free from digital interruptions.
In an interview with the Daily Record, Mr Swinney articulated his commitment: "We have already taken action to empower headteachers to act but if re-elected we will legislate to deliver a full ban across Scotland. The SNP is on the side of schools and we will take every step necessary to ensure teaching in our classrooms is done without distraction."
He further highlighted the educational benefits, noting, "We have record levels of literacy and numeracy in our schools and this national ban will support pupils and teachers to build on that progress."
Cross-Party Support and Broader Election Promises
The SNP's endorsement of a nationwide classroom phone ban has garnered approval from Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesman Willie Rennie, who remarked, "I’m glad to see the SNP backing a Scottish Liberal Democrat policy yet again. We have long argued for a full ban on smartphones in classrooms, but John Swinney has never come on board until now."
Beyond the education sector, Mr Swinney unveiled ambitious plans to address the cost-of-living crisis, positioning it as the "defining issue of this election." He criticised the Westminster Government for a "complete failure to get a grip" on rising household expenses and promised "bold action" if the SNP is re-elected for an unprecedented fifth consecutive term at Holyrood.
Central to this initiative is a proposal to cap prices on essential food items in shops, leveraging Holyrood's public health powers. Mr Swinney explained, "Things have got so tough it is now impacting upon our nation’s nutrition." He detailed that "fair food prices" could apply to everyday staples such as bread, milk, cheese, eggs, rice, and chicken, aiming to reduce weekly shopping costs and "put more money in people’s pockets."
Manifesto Launch and Independence Ambitions
These policies were formally announced as part of the SNP's 2026 Scottish Parliament election manifesto, which also includes a pledge to implement a £2 cap on bus fares across Scotland. Launching the manifesto in Glasgow, Mr Swinney portrayed himself as offering "experienced, principled, reliable leadership" during "troubling and uncertain times" marked by global conflict.
Addressing party supporters, he declared, "My entire adult life has been spent in the service of this country. I have given that calling my everything. Today, I offer to do more. To serve more."
Mr Swinney has set his sights on achieving a majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament, a feat the SNP has accomplished only once before. He argued that securing support on both the constituency and regional ballot sections could enable this outcome, which he views as crucial for pressuring Westminster to grant a second independence referendum.
His message to voters was unequivocal: supporting the SNP is "a vote to put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands, for a referendum on independence." Mr Swinney added that he intends to win such a referendum, asserting that independence could allow Scotland to "reclaim" its place in the European Union and lower energy bills, further emphasising his party's commitment to transformative governance.
