John Swinney speak to members of the media after becoming Scotlands new First Minister

Transcript

00:00 [Music]

00:05 How can you get the people of Scotland to back you as First Minister?

00:09 I think we've got off to a tremendous start. I think it's very clear that my party wants to move forward

00:15 and move forward constructively and positively. I've set out in Parliament today my aspirations to work with

00:22 other political parties to pursue my priorities. I've made it very clear that at the heart of my agenda is the eradication

00:28 of child poverty. People will have to come with me to work on that priority and to make sure it can be achieved.

00:35 That's the style that I'll bring to office and that's why I'll bring my party and my country with me.

00:40 How do we measure success on eradicating child poverty? Are we going to set a year or a date on that?

00:45 Obviously we've got legal obligations about child poverty and I want to make as early progress as I possibly can do

00:52 on the eradication of child poverty. That will not happen overnight. These are deeply entrenched problems.

00:59 But what I want to do is to make sure that I lift that curse that's on children in Scotland today

01:05 and use the power of government to make sure it happens.

01:08 Mr Swinney, congratulations. That was a big moment for you. How do you feel?

01:11 I'm absolutely over the moon. I didn't expect to become the First Minister of Scotland.

01:16 So despite my long involvement in politics and my long ministerial service, it's a bit of a surprise to have

01:23 come to me at this particular moment. So I'm thrilled, I look forward to the challenge and I will give it

01:29 everything I have got within me. Thank you very much.

01:32 Thank you.

01:34 [Music plays]

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