Swinney takes leadership as big tensions remain in SNP

While that leaves him open to attack from pro-UK parties that he is pursuing a nationalist obsession, he has little option but to keep it on the agenda to help motivate his party’s core support in an election year.

If anyone in the SNP has enough respect and authority within the membership to hold rival factions together in the months leading up to that vote, it is probably John Swinney.

That does not mean he will be able to do it or that he can reverse the party’s apparent slide in the opinion polls.

As things stand, the SNP is in danger of losing a substantial number of Westminster seats to Labour.

If that happens, it could mean John Swinney’s time in charge is short – although he insists he is no caretaker and intends to lead the SNP into the 2026 Holyrood election and beyond.

That will depend on his performance and – as ever in politics – events.

Police Scotland are continuing their investigation into the SNP’s finances having charged the party’s former chief executive, Peter Murrell with embezzlement.