Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Some seats could be decided by a ‘handful of votes’ – Swinney

John Swinney was speaking ahead of the opening of polls on Thursday.

Nick Forbes
Wednesday 03 July 2024 19:01 EDT
Scottish First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney said the election was on a ‘knife-edge’ (Jane Barlow/PA)
Scottish First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney said the election was on a ‘knife-edge’ (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Seats across Scotland are on a “knife-edge” and some results could be decided by just a “handful” of votes, SNP leader John Swinney has said.

Speaking ahead of the opening of polls on Thursday, Mr Swinney described the outcome in England as a “foregone conclusion”, but said each vote in Scotland could make “all the difference”.

He urged Scots to back his party, saying it offered a “vision of hope”, and that it would end austerity, support the NHS and eradicate child poverty.

There are seats which could be decided by only a handful of votes – that is why it is so important for people to use their vote and make Scotland’s voice heard. It could make all the difference.

SNP leader John Swinney

The Scottish First Minister said: “The result of the General Election in England is a foregone conclusion.

“The Tories are beaten – and rightly so. Labour will win and Keir Starmer will be prime minister.

“The only story left in this election is in Scotland, where seats across the country are on a knife-edge.

“There are seats which could be decided by only a handful of votes – that is why it is so important for people to use their vote and make Scotland’s voice heard. It could make all the difference.”

The SNP, he said, offers “a vision of hope where we can end austerity, support our NHS, eradicate child poverty and have a future made in Scotland, for Scotland, with independence.

“That is on offer at the election today – but we have to vote for it.

“Once every five years, the power shifts from Westminster to the people of Scotland.

“Today, all of the power is in Scotland’s hands – and we can use that power to ensure we put Scotland’s interests first by voting SNP.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in