Frontbench Team of Stephen Flynn explained

Cabinet Name:Frontbench Team of Stephen Flynn
Cabinet Type:Fourth Party
Jurisdiction:the House of Commons
Incumbent:2022–present
Date Formed:10 December 2022
Government Head Title:Group Leader
Government Head:Stephen Flynn
Other Government Minister Title:Deputy Group Leader
Legislature Status:Opposition
Last Election:2019 general election
2024 general election
Legislature Term:58th UK Parliament
59th UK Parliament
Previous:Blackford Frontbench

The Frontbench Team of Stephen Flynn is the team of Scottish National Party Spokespersons in the House of Commons since 2022.[1] The frontbench was first appointed on 10 December 2022.[2]

Flynn was elected leader of the SNP Westminster Group on 6 December 2022, alongside Mhairi Black as deputy leader, following the resignation of Ian Blackford. Flynn's leadership came at a time of a cost of living crisis and when the United Kingdom's Supreme Court set out that the Scottish Parliament does not have the devolved competence to hold an independence referendum without the consent of the British Government. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had set out plans for the next election to the House of Commons to be a proxy referendum on independence, putting the Frontbench Team at the centre of a constitutional campaign within Scotland.

In the 2024 United Kingdom general election, the SNP suffered huge losses losing the vast majority of their seats.[3] As a result, Stephen Flynn unveiled a new much slimmed down frontbench including himself, Pete Wishart as his deputy and Kirsty Blackman as chief whip.

Formation

After Flynn's victory in the leadership election, Pete Wishart, Chris Law and Stewart McDonald resigned from the frontbench.[4]

Members

Frontbench 2022–2023

Spokesperson
Group Leader
Deputy Leader
Chief Whip
Economy
Social Justice
Home Affairs
Justice and Immigration
Scotland
Europe and EU Accession
Foreign Affairs
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Women and Equalities
International Trade, Northern Ireland and Wales
Energy and Industrial Strategy
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Defence
House of Commons Business
Levelling Up
Cabinet Office
Transport
Health
International Development
Education

Frontbench 2023–2024

On 4 September 2023, Flynn reshuffled the frontbench.[5] [6] [7]

Spokesperson
Group Leader
Deputy Leader
Chief Whip
House of Commons Business
Economy
Levelling Up
Social Justice
Home Affairs
Justice and Immigration
Attorney General
Europe and EU Accession
Science, Innovation, Technology and Education
Scotland
International Development
Foreign Affairs
Women and Equalities
Environment, Farming, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Cabinet Office
Business and Trade, Northern Ireland and Wales
Health
Transport
Energy Security and Net Zero
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Defence

Frontbench July 2024–Present

Following the 2024 general election, the frontbench was reshuffled.[8]

Spokesperson
Group Leader
Deputy Leader
Chief Whip

References

  1. News: 2022-12-09 . SNP Westminster leader denies plotting to oust predecessor . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-12-09.
  2. Web site: Stephen Flynn unveils new SNP Westminster frontbench after reshuffle . 2022-12-11 . HeraldScotland . 10 December 2022 . en.
  3. Web site: Meighan . Craig . 2024-07-04 . SNP suffers huge losses as Labour sweeps to power across UK . 2024-07-13 . STV News . en-GB.
  4. News: 2022-12-10 . Four SNP MPs in new roles in Westminster reshuffle . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-02-09.
  5. News: 2023-09-04 . SNP announces frontbench reshuffle at Westminster . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-09-10.
  6. Web site: SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn reshuffles frontbench team . 2023-09-10 . Sky News . en.
  7. Web site: 2023-09-04 . Stephen Flynn announces major shake-up of SNP Westminster team . 2023-09-10 . The National . en.
  8. Web site: 2024-07-10 . New SNP frontbench roles confirmed after loss of seats at General Election . 2024-07-13 . The National . en.