LAST week, I announced my bid to become leader of the Scottish National Party and first minister of Scotland.

I have made no secret that, for a number of years prior to leaving frontline politics in 2023, I had been trying to take a step back. Nor have I hidden the fact that the last year as a backbench MSP has been one of the most rewarding of my almost 27 years as a parliamentarian.

So my decision to stand to lead both my party and my country was not one borne out of long-held ambition, but rather a profound sense of duty.

I have been very clear that the Scottish National Party is in a difficult place at the moment. It is inevitable that during a hugely successful and lengthy period in government, there will be challenging spells. When these moments arrive, it is vital that you face up to them head-on and prove to the public that you are still worthy of their support and trust.

READ MORE: Humza Yousaf congratulates Sadiq Khan on London mayor election win

And that is why I have offered to work to unite the SNP as leader of the party. Because our party is at its strongest when we are pulling together in the same direction and continuing our proud tradition of delivering for the people of Scotland.

I believe that I am the person best-placed to bring the SNP together, re-focus our priorities and deliver the serious, steady government that the people of Scotland deserve, and that has been so lacking from Westminster.

I also have unique experience of governing as a minority party. I vividly remember being told time and time again during my first year as finance secretary, with the SNP holding just 47 out of 129 seats, that I would be unable to persuade Parliament to pass a budget. To be fair to the doubters, they were ultimately proved correct. I didn’t get one Budget passed – I managed to get parliamentary support for 10 of them.

Since coming to power in 2007, the SNP have delivered profound and life-transforming policies that have improved the lives and prospects of millions of Scots.

The Scottish Child Payment, which has lifted 100,000 children out of poverty. The massive expansion of early learning and childcare, saving families thousands of pounds a year. Free university tuition, meaning that no Scottish child will be deprived the opportunity to pursue their academic dreams because of their economic circumstances.

The National: John Swinney

I am immensely proud of what we have achieved, and I will defend my party’s record in government to the hilt. But I recognise that more needs to be done.

That is why, if elected, I will ensure that my government works tirelessly in the pursuit of social justice and economic growth.

To achieve this, I will draw from the considerable talent that my party is lucky enough to possess and put together a Cabinet that reflects the diversity and strength of the SNP.

This Cabinet will be a place for open and respectful debate, where ideas are scrutinised, challenged and tested.

One person who will play a key role in this is my friend and colleague, Kate Forbes. Kate is one of the brightest talents in Scottish politics and I am therefore delighted that she has supported my candidacy. She is an asset to Scottish public life and will be an asset to my government.

READ MORE: New poll finds support for monarchy in Scotland falling rapidly

With a united, dynamic and laser-focused team by my side, I am confident that the SNP can effectively articulate the case for independence and demonstrate the benefits that it would bring to households across the country.

For all of my adult life, I have believed in and campaigned for independence. When independence was a niche view in the 1980s, I was pounding the pavements and knocking on doors to advance the cause. Winning hearts and minds, one person at a time.

My commitment to this cause is unwavering. It is a source of great pride that, since joining the party, the idea of independence has moved from the political fringes to now being supported by approximately half the country.

If we are to achieve independence, though, we must make the case to those who have yet to be convinced. That is why I will advance the arguments for independence in a respectful manner that seeks to address the concerns of those who have yet to be won over to the cause. It is only by ensuring that support for independence is consistently at a greater level than it is now that we can achieve this long-held goal.

So my leadership pitch is crisp and simple: if elected leader, I will unite the SNP and work towards building a stronger Scotland, a fairer Scotland and an independent Scotland.