John Swinney addressed the SNP's annual gathering in Aberdeen, bringing the conference to a close in a speech that touched on Scottish independence, transport policy, legislation targeting misogyny, and community funding. At one point during the address, Swinney paused mid-speech while discussing his support for Scottish independence. Among those seated in the audience was Matthew, Swinney's youngest son.
Speaking to SNP members, Swinney conveyed his commitment to pursuing Scottish independence, framing the goal as a personal obligation both in his capacity as First Minister and as a parent. Pointing to his youngest son, he told party delegates that his primary aim was to leave Scotland in a stronger position for that generation — advanced as far as possible — before noting that everyone present carried their own individual connection to the national cause. He added that people tend to arrive at their own reasons for taking part.
The speech was the first Swinney had delivered following his receipt of an electoral mandate as First Minister in May. A notable portion of the address focused on Scotland's constitutional path, with Swinney stating that the country was prepared for independence and describing a fresh campaign, set to begin that weekend, as the most thorough the party had yet attempted, supported by a six-figure funding reserve.
Swinney also outlined plans to bring forward legislation at Holyrood that would make harassment and abuse rooted in misogyny a distinct criminal offence, with that bill expected to be introduced before the end of June the following year. Attitudes that demean women were cited as an underlying driver of violence against them, with the behaviour described as "completely deplorable," alongside the announcement of a £1 million Respect Fund intended to provide every school with resources for addressing the issue.
The pledge also covered broadening the reach of the Don't Be That Guy initiative — a programme aimed at prompting men to push back against sexist attitudes — by drawing on well-known figures from across sport, with athletes from football, rugby, cycling, swimming, athletics, golf, and tennis among those identified to serve as positive examples.
However, ministers in the Scottish Government had committed to bringing forward legislation targeting misogyny, and that undertaking went unmet when, in June 2025, the administration confirmed no such bill would reach Holyrood before voters return to the polls in 2026.
Plans to extend the £2 bus fare cap to Aberdeen and the north-east of Scotland from April the following year were also set out by the First Minister, building on a scheme already running across the Highlands, islands, Glasgow, and much of the west of Scotland. Alongside a commitment to expand bus provision across Scotland, Swinney set out plans to bring the country's entire bus network under public oversight through franchising and regulatory reform ahead of the next Holyrood elections, due in May 2031.
Swinney additionally unveiled a three-year, £30 million Scotland Together Fund directing money to community organisations to help counter racism across Scotland, noting that division and hatred remain present forces in society and that the government would provide financial support to those groups.
Scottish Labour's deputy leader, Jackie Baillie, characterised the address as one lacking substance and relying on familiar language, and called on the government to set out its plans for public sector reform, the NHS, and education. She expressed disappointment at the absence of any pledge to collaborate with Labour on devolving authority from central to local government, though she welcomed the announcements on bus fares and public transport, indicating that Labour would cooperate with the Scottish Government to ensure delivery in the interests of Scotland's people.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay argued that Swinney had chosen to prioritise independence advocacy at a time of heightened global uncertainty rather than address what Findlay characterised as nearly two decades of policy underperformance by the SNP. Findlay also raised questions about why Swinney and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had declined to take questions concerning Peter Murrell.
Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay argued that the £2 bus fare cap should be extended to cover the whole of Scotland, pointing out that a comparable cap is set to apply across England from January while no equivalent commitment has been made by the Scottish Government, leaving passengers facing higher travel costs.
