It's been a markedly turbulent year on Scotland's frequently bonkers political scene, and for none more than John Swinney. As recently as April this year, the SNP veteran was a humble backbencher at Holyrood, beginning to contemplate whether he might stand down in 2026. But then came Humza Yousaf's self-inflicted downfall, which thrust Mr Swinney back into government.
He was back on the campaign trail as his party suffered one of the worst electoral reverses in its history - a result he says could have easily been a wipeout. And now he insists the SNP is back on the front foot and striding towards a Holyrood vote - where he says he'll seek a full term, to be first minister until 2031. The first minister spoke to BBC Scotland's Podlitical podcast to go behind the scenes on the big moments of 2024.
The SNP was not in a happy place at the turn of the year. Humza Yousaf came into office after a fractious leadership contest, and it felt like events were against him at every turn. Every time he planned a big announcement, Police Scotland seemed to scoop him with a fresh twist in Operation Branchform , the inquiry into the SNP's funding and finances.
Mr Yousaf was also keen to allow more debate around the direction of the SNP, in a break from the very tight circle run by his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon. But it led to constant questions and rebellions over policy, with some contentious proposals being dropped, and particular debate about the party's partnership in government with the.
