SNP Wins Fifth Straight Scottish Parliament Election, Secures Pro-Independence Majority

Labour created devolution and put it in place, but the Scottish National Party has dominated the political era that followed.

This marked the seventh election since the modern Scottish Parliament formed in 1999 and the SNP's fifth win in a row.

As the sun set behind Holyrood after a long day of counting, SNP leader John Swinney said his party won the election "hands down."

He called the margin of victory "significant and emphatic" and said public expectation now required him "to be returned as first minister and to lead a government."

Swinney said he would seek "common ground" with any party except Reform UK, which he said held "completely different values."

"People are feeling fragile. Times are tough. The world is a place in turmoil and I think what people want is a first minister who will bring people together," he said.

Swinney appeared at ease with minority government and issue-by-issue talks with most rivals.

He knew the SNP's prior power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens had ended bitterly.

Outside Holyrood, a small crowd waved saltires and placards while calling for Scottish independence in speeches and songs. Flower of Scotland drifted across the parliamentary pond.

The singers had reason to cheer: a pro-independence majority returned, with 58 SNP MSPs and 15 Scottish Greens, a record for the Greens that placed them just behind Labour and Reform UK, both on 17 seats.

Swinney had campaigned on the need for an SNP majority alone to advance independence. He often raised the chance of outright victory, a tough goal in a 129-seat parliament built for minority or coalition rule.

He fell short. The SNP took a clear win and a strong result after 19 years in power, but not the full backing he wanted. Its vote share dropped, and seats fell from 64 to 58, far from the 65 for a majority.

The party lost key constituencies. In Edinburgh Central, Green co-leader Lorna Slater ousted Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson, the SNP campaign director. The Greens also won Glasgow Southside, once held by former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon.

Swinney recognized that faith in SNP rule tied to support for leaving the UK. He spent two years steadying the party after turmoil: the exits of Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf as first ministers, a police probe into SNP finances, and policy fights.

He claimed the party had regained public trust but more work remained.

Asked his top priority in government, Swinney skipped independence. He pledged "practical support on the cost of living" and to "concentrate on continuing the improvements in the National Health Service."

Those goals stood on their own merits. Swinney also viewed them as a base to push independence.

Twelve years after a referendum where 45 percent backed independence, polls showed support near 50 percent. They indicated Reform UK leader Nigel Farage entering Downing Street could lift that figure further after his party's gains across Great Britain.

The issue could return in the next general election campaign, due by August 2029.

Scottish Labour posted its worst result in devolution history. The final tally came in Inverness in the early hours at a counting center strewn with empty pizza boxes. Labour found no solace.

Leader Anas Sarwar knew he could have vied for first minister. Just two years earlier, his party beat the SNP in the general election. A disliked prime minister pulled him down since then.

Sarwar's call for Sir Keir Starmer to resign failed to prevent a rout. Labour will now compete with Reform UK for Holyrood office space, seats, and chamber time.

The Conservatives fared poorly too. The old Labour-Tory hold on UK politics feels remote in 21st-century Scotland.

Dozens of new MSPs will arrive at Holyrood soon, including many from Reform UK. The next parliament will differ sharply.

Artificial intelligence could shake things up further, for better or worse. The years ahead will test all parties.

Change looms, but the SNP enters a third decade in power. Its politicians and backers celebrated this weekend. Again.