John Swinney: Trump, Independence and Scottish Troops in Ukraine
1/9/202642 min
What is the Scottish First Minister's secret for getting Donald Trump's attention?
Nick is in Edinburgh to sit down with John Swinney, at the start of a year of big elections across the UK, including for the Scottish Parliament.
He has been at the top of SNP-led government's for almost all of the last 19 years. He is now asking for another five years, with the hope of securing a new independence referendum.
In this conversation, Swinney talks about how he charmed Donald Trump, reflects on a dangerous world, and opens up about the pressures on his family life.
Producer: Daniel Kraemer Research: Flora Murray Sound: Fiona Fairmaner Editor: Giles Edwards
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsNick Robinson· Host0:00
Hello, and welcome to a new series of Political Thinking, a conversation with, rather than a news interrogation, of someone who shapes our political thinking about what has shaped theirs. This week we're in Edinburgh, in particular here at Bute House, the home of Scotland's First Minister. We're here because it's a very big year for elections, an election here in Scotland where Scots will get to choose who governs them for the next five years, in Wales where the people of Wales will make a similar choice, and indeed millions of people in England choosing who their local councilors are. That, of course, matters in and of itself, but it will have a huge impact on who's seen to be up and down in UK politics. But there's something even more important at stake, perhaps the future of the United Kingdom itself. First Minister, thank you for joining me on Political Thinking.
John Swinney· Guest0:56
My pleasure.
Nick Robinson· Host0:57
The world has changed dramatically in the past few days, in the past year, and really because of one man. And you know Donald Trump better than most, most British politicians certainly. What have you learned when you've been dealing with this man about the way to interact with him?
John Swinney· Guest1:18
I think the crucial point I would reflect on my dealings with President Trump is that you have to be very, very focused in your engagement with him. And President Trump came to