John Swinney will be formally reelected as First Minister today when MSPs vote at the Scottish Parliament.
But the SNP leader’s return to Bute House comes as a new poll shows just one in 10 Scots think another independence referendum should be a priority for the Government.
Asked for their top priorities for Holyrood by pollsters Survation, voters said they want their new government to concentrate on the cost of living and the NHS.
The study of more than 1,000 people – carried out in the wake of the Holyrood election on May 7 – also showed voters feel matters like immigration, the economy and jobs, energy bills, and housing should be a stronger focus for SNP ministers.
Swinney repeatedly said during the recent election campaign that an SNP majority would be a crucial first step in securing an IndyRef2 – a benchmark the Nationalists ultimately fell short of.
The SNP leader said yesterday: “The people of Scotland were crystal clear in the election – they want the SNP to lead the government.
“We were elected with 58 members of the Scottish Parliament, we’ve got a commanding lead over the other parties, and I look forward to putting forward my candidacy to be first minister tomorrow and to take forward a government that will serve the people of Scotland.”
He added: “I’m confident that I can win the vote tomorrow and to make sure that I continue to lead a government that will deliver for the people of Scotland.”
The second placed parties – both Reform UK and Labour – have 17 seats, while the 15-strong Scottish Green contingent provide a pro-independence majority.
The potentially multi-round election process is due for Tuesday afternoon, with the winning candidate likely to be sworn in at the Court of Session on Wednesday and appoint a cabinet that afternoon.
Thursday will be taken up by the vote to confirm the appointment of ministers, with the inaugural First Minister’s Questions session of the parliamentary term due to take place next week.
Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay urged the First Minister to fulfil his promise to hold a vote on a new independence referendum on the first day of Holyrood after the appointment of the Government.
“Scotland has voted for a pro-independence majority, and that mandate does not belong to one party alone,” she said.
“Every Green vote was a legitimate vote for independence, for Scotland’s right to choose and for a future where decisions about Scotland are made here, not imposed by Westminster.
“Scotland voted for a pro-independence majority, and that must be respected.
“For too long, Westminster governments have ignored Scotland’s democratic voice. John Swinney must not do the same.
“If John Swinney is elected first minister on Tuesday, then his new government must bring forward the promised parliamentary debate and vote on Scotland’s right to choose at the first available opportunity.”
Alastair Cameron, chair of Scotland in Union, who commissioned the Survation poll, said: “Before John Swinney embarks on another five years of separatist tub-thumping, he should take note of people’s priorities.
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“This poll, carried out in the wake of the election, makes clear that most people do not think another referendum should be a priority in any way, shape or form.
“They want to see ministers who focus on the cost-of-living crisis, health and the economy. And they cite a whole range of other topics which are more important – including education, justice and housing.
“What’s more, they believe that the SNP must stop spending public money on their obsession with leaving the UK. As Mr Swinney prepares to retake the First Minister’s chair, he should respect Scots’ wishes and pause his divisive attempts to break the UK apart.”