First Minister John Swinney will not attend a major BBC television debate this week, opting instead to send a senior female minister in his place, a decision he says is to avoid the spectacle of “a group of blokes” dominating the discussion.
The SNP leader has confirmed Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan will represent the party on BBC Question Time in Aberdeen on Thursday, a move that has ignited a political row. Mr Swinney, speaking to the Press Association at a campaign event in Edinburgh, defended his choice, stating, “The sight of six blokes sitting at a table talking about politics, I don’t think is a great look.” He emphasised he had taken part in other debates and did not need to attend every one.
The Stated Reason: Showcasing Talent and Addressing a “Bad Look”
The party’s stated rationale centres on a perceived lack of female representation on political panels, an issue that has been raised repeatedly during the Scottish election campaign. Mr Swinney said his decision allowed the public to view “all the talent” of political parties, highlighting Ms McAllan as “one example of the immense talent that’s available in the Scottish National Party.”
The First Minister’s office has indicated the visual of a male-dominated debate is detrimental, a point underscored by the fact that Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay is currently the only woman in a leadership role across the main Scottish parties. This context is not new; earlier in April, the BBC’s Debate Night featured an entirely male panel, and a Channel 4 debate included only one woman leader.
Mr Swinney, who participated in the last two TV debates including a recent BBC Debate Night, firmly denied accusations that he was avoiding scrutiny. “I’ve taken part in a number of debates, I’ll be taking part in other debates,” he stated, adding that he was “not running scared” and that his decision was about improving women’s representation in the campaign.
The Rising Star Stepping In
Mairi McAllan, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, is seen as a rising star within the SNP and a potential contender for the deputy first minister role should the party be re-elected. Prior to becoming MSP for Clydesdale in 2021, she worked as a corporate solicitor, served as a special adviser to former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and co-founded the human rights organisation Reblaw Scotland.
Her selection to replace the party leader on a flagship UK programme is a significant platform. The Scottish Greens have noted efforts to improve female representation, becoming the first party of government in the UK to have a majority of women representatives in the Scottish Parliament after the 2021 election. However, co-leader Gillian Mackay has spoken of understanding women’s reluctance to enter politics due to issues like childcare and declining civility in public discourse.
Accusations of “Running Scared”
The decision has drawn fierce criticism from political opponents, who have labelled it a cowardly avoidance of accountability. Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie accused Mr Swinney of “running scared” of her party’s leader, Anas Sarwar.
“It’s no wonder John Swinney doesn’t want to answer questions from the public on his Government’s record when the NHS is at breaking point, schools are declining, crime is rising and the basics don’t work,” Dame Jackie said. She added that while Mr Swinney “goes into hiding,” Mr Sarwar would be setting out plans to “fix the SNP’s mess.”
The Scottish Conservatives echoed the sentiment. Deputy leader Rachael Hamilton called the First Minister “cowardly” and accused him of “running scared of defending the SNP’s appalling record to a UK-wide audience.” She argued he had been “at the heart of this failing SNP Government for the last two decades, but in typical nationalist fashion he wants to avoid accountability for it.”
All other major parties—Scottish Labour, the Scottish Conservatives, the Scottish Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish Greens—are sending their leaders to the BBC Question Time panel. The programme, hosted by Fiona Bruce, will focus on the upcoming Holyrood election on May 7.
The debate occurs amid a heated campaign where Labour has positioned itself as the vehicle for discontent with the SNP’s record, despite polls suggesting the SNP is likely to remain in office. Further televised debates are scheduled, including an STV leaders’ debate on April 28th featuring all main party leaders.
