Stephen Flynn distances himself from SNP leadership hopes as real reasons for Holyrood move revealed
Stephen Flynn has distanced himself from succeeding John Swinney as SNP leader.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has insisted his proposed move to Holyrood at May’s election is motivated by being closer to his family amid suggestion he is lining up a bid to become the next party leader.
Mr Flynn has been touted as a potential candidate to replace John Swinney as his successor.
At the SNP campaign launch on Thursday, Mr Swinney committed to seeing out the entire next parliamentary term if he is returned as first minister following May’s election.
Asked if he intended to serve a full five-year term, Mr Swinney said: “Yes.”
He added: "If I serve a full five-year parliamentary term, I have to stand in 2031 as well, and I'll be doing that as first minister - sorry, prime minister - of an independent Scotland."
Mr Flynn, who is hoping to jump from Westminster to Holyrood by standing in the Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine seat, has talked down suggestions that he is positioning himself to become the next SNP leader.
He told The Scotsman that he “was buzzing” to hear Mr Swinney confirm he would see out the next five years as first minister if he is returned to power in May.
Mr Flynn added: “I genuinely think, and I firmly believe that the best politician in Scotland and the best person in Scotland should be the first minister of Scotland. There is no doubt in my mind that that is John Swinney.
“The stability and seriousness that he offers the people of Scotland, right now, is unrivalled by any other politician in our wonderful country.
“I have absolute certainty in my mind that John is the best person to lead our party, to be first minister and to do so not just for this election and far beyond. He’s just getting started.”
Mr Flynn also stressed that his motivation in wanting to move from Westminster to Holyrood is, in part, down to wanting to be closer to his young family.
He said: “On a personal level, I’ve got a very young family.
“One of my main motivations for coming home, on a personal level, is to ensure that my wee lads have more time with their dad as they’re growing up. That hasn’t changed.”
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