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

One of John Swinney’s main political challenges is building alliances with opposition parties. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

John Swinney and senior Scottish National party deal-makers have scored an initial success in avoiding another bruising leadership contest, which would have been potentially disastrous 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 are convincing voters the party is genuinely focused on their concerns, and rebuilding cross-party trust at Holyrood in minority government.