First Minister John Swinney has been named Scottish Politician of the Year at The Herald’s Scottish Politician of the Year Awards 2025, held in association with ScottishPower.
Judges praised the veteran MSP for turning the SNP’s fortunes round after a period of turmoil and for his concerted effort to persuade Donald Trump to reconsider US tariffs on Scotch whisky.
In July 2025, Mr Swinney met the President at the opening of the newest Trump golf course in Aberdeenshire, where he struck up a friendly relationship with the republican.
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That meant in September he was able to visit the White House and spend the best part of an hour in the Oval Office, pressing the case and arguing that the 10% duty on whisky exports to the US is costing Scotland’s whisky industry around £4 million per week.
The First Minister — who previously won the award in 2009— saw off stiff competition from Labour’s Deputy Leader Dame Jackie Baillie and his own deputy, Kate Forbes, to secure the top award.
Accepting the award, the First Minister said it was "the privilege of my life to serve the people of Scotland".
All nominees in the category were asked to pick a charity, with money raised on the night divided between the three.
Mr Swinney, whose wife Elizabeth has MS, chose the MS Society, which he said was "very close to his heart".
He said without Elizabeth's sacrifice, he would not be here tonight serving the people of Scotland.
Mr Swinney added: "I know there's the odd moment where I can maybe be a little bit harsh when I'm giving an answer or two in parliamentary debate. That should never disguise the fact that I recognise across the political spectrum that elected members are serving the people of Scotland with devotion, with energy, yes with different views, different perspectives but nonetheless a determination to serve the people of Scotland."
.@JohnSwinney thanks his wife Elizabeth for her sacrifice as he is named @heraldscotland Politician of the Year.#politicianawards25 pic.twitter.com/9WQMd4qBmX
— Rebecca McCurdy (@_RebeccaMcCurdy) November 20, 2025
The awards, now in their 27th year, once again brought together political, civic and business leaders at Edinburgh’s Prestonfield House Hotel to recognise standout contributions across Holyrood, Westminster and local government.
Although she missed out on the top prize, Ms Forbes took home two major awards. She won Politics in Business, sponsored by BIG Partnership, after judges concluded that she had played a central role in resetting the Scottish Government’s relationship with industry during her first year back in Cabinet.
Ms Forbes also won the ScottishPower Green Champion award, with judges crediting her influence over the government’s environmental and energy strategy.
One of the most hotly debated categories was Best Scot at Westminster, sponsored by Diageo.
In the end, it was won by Brian Leishman MP, Member of Parliament for Alloa and Grangemouth. He beat off new Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander and SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn to take home the award.
Judges said he had been the most visible and outspoken Scottish MP over the past year, particularly on welfare reform and Grangemouth.
They praised his independent-mindedness and willingness to take difficult positions even when they carried political risk.
Labour’s Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, was named Community MSP of the Year for his constituency work, particularly around Dundee University and the severe financial crisis as a result of a £30–35 million black hole in finances.
It was also the scrutiny of the university’s problems that saw judges hand the Committee MSP of the Year award to Douglas Ross MSP and the Education, Children and Young People Committee.
The cross-party group were praised for their robust scrutiny and interrogation of the university’s senior management, past and present. They were also commended for their work on Edinburgh University and the growing Higher History scandal.
The Donald Dewar Debater of the Year award was won by the SNP’s Elena Whitham, whose contribution to the Stage One debate on assisted dying was judged the standout parliamentary speech of the year.
It was a hard decision, with the judges praising Labour’s Pam Duncan-Glancy and the SNP’s George Adam, who were also shortlisted.
All three had taken part in what judges described as one of Holyrood’s most compelling debates in years.
Ms Whitham had shown the greatest strength of construction, delivery and emotional impact, and had shaped the debate.
The One to Watch award, supported by ScottishPower, went to Màiri McAllan. It is a difficult award to judge at any time of the parliamentary cycle, but particularly hard four years into a five-year term.
Judges said the Cabinet Secretary for Housing had demonstrated both political ability and future leadership potential during a year of significant policy responsibility.
They highlighted her increasing influence within the Scottish Government, her performance in Cabinet and her rising profile as a potential successor to Mr Swinney.
Tory MSP Craig Hoy and Green co-leader Gillian Mackay were also shortlisted.
The Public Campaign or Campaigner of the Year award was won by For Women Scotland following the group’s successful Supreme Court challenge, which resulted in a landmark judgment on the definition of sex in the Equality Act.
Judges agreed this represented one of the most significant outcomes of any campaign, forcing UK and Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments and public bodies across the country to change policy.
Councillor Willie Scobie was named Scottish Local Politician of the Year. Judges praised his almost 40 years as a steadfast voice for vulnerable people and those living in poverty, noting his reputation locally as a true working-class champion.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Lord George Robertson, acknowledged for decades of service in UK and international public life. The Labour peer served in the government of Tony Blair and was the general secretary of Nato.
He told the audience at the ceremony: "It's been an incredible journey and I'm delighted that it's The Herald that is paying this tribute tonight.
"My period as Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland was one of the toughest periods of my whole political life.
"After that period dealing with conflicts, wars, war criminals, dictators was a piece of cake."
He added: "I should say that being constantly told that I am the parent of high achieving young squads I think is one of the great tributes that I have in life and if there's a lifetime achievement, it's the family that I brought up."
After the event, Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower, said: “What a fantastic night celebrating the commitment of so many to Scotland and its communities. Congratulations to all the worthy winners – and their fellow nominees – it’s been an honour to recognise your achievements and I look forward to working together as we continue to deliver investment and economic growth for Scotland in the future.”
