John Swinburne is the founder of the Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party (SSCUP) and currently that party's sole representative in the Scottish Parliament. He is also a director of Motherwell Football Club.

Shortly after his election, it was alleged that Swinburne had made some comments directed towards gays during the election campaign. Swinburne was accused of being homophobic because of these comments, a charge which he has strongly denied.