QOSHE - Mark McGeoghegan: Starmer's Labour is in trouble as SNP outflanks Sarwar The SNP could scarcely have hoped for a more positive poll in the wake of John Swinney’s first budget as First Minister. Mr Swinney is, of course, a practiced hand at the political art of Scottish budgets, having served two terms as Finance Secretary under Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.