SNP avoids another bruising leadership contest but relief will be short-lived

John Swinney faces series of immediate challenges, including rebuilding cross-party trust at Holyrood

John Swinney and senior SNP deal-makers have scored an initial success in avoiding another bruising leadership contest, which would have been potentially disastrous for the party in a general election year.

But that relief will be short-lived, as the new leader faces a series of immediate practical challenges, chief among them is convincing voters that the party is genuinely focused on their concerns as well as rebuilding cross-party trust at Holyrood in minority government.