By Chris McCall

Copyright dailyrecord

John Swinney has denied he will be forced to resign if the SNP fails to win a majority at next year’s Holyrood election. The First Minister yesterday faced down rebels at his party’s conference in Aberdeen to secure backing for his preferred strategy to secure another referendum on independence. Swinney has insisted the SNP must win a majority of MSPs on its own in order to achieve a mandate for an IndyRef2. Keith Brown, the party’s depute leader, later told reporters this meant Swinney was “staking his premiership on winning independence”. But Swinney rejected such a notion today. “It would be kind of funny if I won the election then resigned,” he said. “To make progress on the independence question, we’ve got to get 65 seats at the Scottish Parliament, that’s what I’m working to achieve. “I’m here for the long haul to lead the SNP and deliver for the people of Scotland.” It comes as Douglas Alexander, the Scottish Secretary, said the UK Government has no intention of approving a referendum, regardless of the result next year. He compared the First Minister to the “Grand Old Duke of York”, accusing him of “marching his troops in that hall up to the top of the hill and then back down again”. The Labour minister said: “Firstly, I’m working for victory, I’m not anticipating defeat. “Secondly, I’m not going to indulge in his game, which is to divert attention from his horrifically bad record on Scotland’s public services by trying instead to provoke an argument on the constitution. “I was elected on a very clear manifesto in July 2024 that said Labour does not support independence or another referendum, that’s the mandate on which I was elected, and I’ll adhere to that mandate.” Veteran SNP MSP Brown had said Swinney was “brave” for “putting everything” on the strategy. Asked by reporters whether the First Minister was tying his leadership to his ability to win a majority at next year’s election, Brown said: “That’s why I said he was brave. It is brave. “I’ve never seen a move as brave as that – he’s putting everything on it. “So you’re right. Nothing worth achieving is ever going to be easy. But he’s also taken that kind of stance and I commend him for it.” He added: “He’s coming from a good place and if he’s got the party behind him, I think he’s quite right to put it all on independence.” Asked again Mr Swinney would have to quit if he failed to get at least 65 seats in the Scottish Parliament in May, Mr Brown said: “I don’t think we’re not going to get the 65 seats. “But you’re right. He’s staked his premiership on the idea of winning independence – I’m not denying that – but he’s doing it from a position of strength.” To sign up to the Daily R ecord Politics newsletter, click here