John Swinney has declared victory for the Scottish National Party (SNP) in the Scottish Parliament elections, expressing confidence that his party will emerge as the largest in Holyrood. The First Minister was re-elected in his Perthshire North constituency, securing 16,414 votes with a majority of over 6,000.
Swinney's Reaction
Speaking after the result, Swinney described the anticipated SNP victory as a moment of "enormous significance" for him personally, having assumed leadership of the party two years ago. He thanked his constituents for their continued support and vowed to continue working for Scotland.
Labour's Disappointment
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar acknowledged a "disappointing result" for his party, stating they lost the argument for change. Sarwar attributed Labour's struggles to a "national wave" that they were unable to overcome during the election campaign. He said the party would need to reflect on its performance and rebuild ahead of future contests.
The results come amid a broader trend of Labour underperformance in Scotland, with the SNP maintaining its dominance despite recent leadership changes. Swinney's victory reinforces the party's stronghold in Perthshire North and signals continued support for the independence agenda.
For full coverage of the Scottish election 2026, including a live results map for every seat, visit our dedicated election page.
