Swinney calls for better cross-party working in final frontbench speech

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Deputy First Minister John Swinney has called for parliamentarians to work better with those in other parties, in what is expected to be his last speech on the government’s frontbench. Closing a debate on the wellbeing economy on Wednesday – in what is likely to be his final contribution as a minister – Mr Swinney said: “I told the First Minister some months ago that I intended to step down at the end of the period with which I have temporarily returned to the finance and economy remit, and I fear that I may have prompted the First Minister to do some reflection of her own at the same time.” He added: “After 16 years in office, I have to say I was rather surprised from time to time that more people were not asking why I was still here.” He continued: “As a 15-year-old who joined a party that had terrible electoral prospects in 1979, my long ministerial career has been something of a surprise – there may be hope for some in that observation.” While he admitted he had not “achieved all in my ministerial life” – pointing to Scottish independence as one such issue – Mr Swinney said he was particularly proud of the action he and the government had taken to tackle child abuse, including setting up the Child Abuse Inquiry, along with the creation of Redress Scotland to compensate the victims of historic abuse. “I’ve done my best, it’s now for others to fill this space.” Tributes were paid to Mr Swinney from across the chamber during the debate, so much so that Tory MSP Murdo Fraser – a frequent parliamentary sparring partner of the Deputy First Minister – joked so many “eulogies” had been given “at one point I thought I’d have to cross the aisle to check his pulse”. Fellow Tory MSP Liz Smith said: “We’ve probably not agreed on terribly much over the years – in fact I think he might argue very little – but I hope he will agree we have enjoyed some engaging conversations.” She added: “No one can doubt John Swinney’s commitment to public service, or to government, and I’m very grateful for the courteous approach he’s made to me, most of the time, and I want to thank him for that.” While Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie said he was “jealous” of the Deputy First Minister’s effectiveness, referring to him as the “government’s sweeper”.