John Swinney vows to deliver on public’s priorities

Lynsey Bews
BBC Scotland cheif political correspondent

Labour
is a threat to the SNP in the 2026 Holyrood election.

So it’s unsurprising that
part of John Swinney’s speech was spent on the attack – criticising Labour
policies on Trident, Brexit and its approach to spending – and more
specifically spending priorities.

Indeed, it’s public finance that has proved
to be the pinch point in the UK and Scottish governments’ attempt at a reset in
relations.

In his speech Mr Swinney accused Labour ministers of “cynical”
politics, and “a total breach” of their voters’ trust.

He highlighted Labour’s
refusal to scrap the two child benefit cap – contrasting it with the SNP
administration’s Scottish child payment.

Labour’s announcement of financial
pain to come has given the SNP a bruise to press, but budget pressures at
Westminster spell difficulties for Scottish ministers too.

They’ve been accused
of failing to manage their own spending properly, ahead of a raft of cuts due
to be announced at Holyrood next week.