Opposition Shadow Cabinets of the Scottish Parliament explained

Unlike in the Parliament at Westminster where there is an Official Opposition to the government of the day, all parties in the Scottish Parliament that are not in government are all technically on the same footing as 'opposition parties'. With the Scottish National Party (SNP) currently in government, the Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Labour each have a shadow cabinet composed of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and prospective parliamentary candidates.

Shadow cabinet ministers have a responsibility to shadow an individual government minister or a specific area of government. Other parties have frontbench teams with spokespersons covering multiple areas of government or which are composed of spokespersons from both within and outwith the Scottish Parliament.

Current Shadow Cabinets

Current Scottish Labour Shadow Cabinet

Sarwar Shadow Cabinet
Minister
PortfolioShadowsTerm
Shadow Cabinet Secretaries
Anas Sarwar
LeaderJohn Swinney2021–present
Jackie Baillie
Depute Leader[1] Kate Forbes2021–present
NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care and Drugs PolicyNeil Gray
Michael Marra
FinanceShona Robinson2023–present
Daniel Johnson
Economy, Business and Fair WorkKate Forbes2021–present
Neil Bibby
Constitution, External Affairs and CultureAngus Robertson2023-present
Sarah Boyack
Net Zero, Energy, and Just TransitionMàiri McAllan2023-present
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Education and SkillsJenny Gilruth2023-present
Rhoda Grant
Rural Affairs, Land Reform and IslandsMairi Gougeon2023-present
Pauline McNeill
JusticeAngela Constance2021-present
Paul O'Kane
Social Justice and Social Security, and EqualitiesShirley-Anne Somerville2023-present
Junior ministers
Alex Rowley
TransportFiona Hyslop2023-present
Mark Griffin
Local Government and HousingPaul McLennan2023-present
Foysol Choudhury
Culture, Europe and International DevelopmentTom Arthur2023-present
Katy Clark
Community SafetySiobhian Brown2023-present
Carol Mochan
Public Health and Women’s HealthJenni Minto2023-present
Paul Sweeney
Mental Health and Veterans2023-present
Mercedes Villalba
Environment and BiodiversityAlasdair Allan2023-present
Martin Whitfield
Parliamentary Business ManagerJamie Hepburn2023-present
Children and Young PeopleNatalie Don
Colin Smyth
Older persons' championKaukab Stewart2023-present
Westminster Cabinet Ministers
Ian Murray
Secretary of State for ScotlandN/A2024–present
Douglas Alexander
Minister of State for Business and TradeN/A2024-present
Kirsty McNeill
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for ScotlandN/A2024-present
Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net ZeroN/A2024-present

Conservative Shadow Cabinets

Current Shadow Cabinet

See main article: articles and Shadow Cabinet of Douglas Ross.

Previous Shadow Cabinets

Second Davidson Shadow Cabinet[2] [3] [4] !Portfolio!Officeholder!Term
LeaderRuth Davidson2016–2020
Deputy LeaderJackson Carlaw2016–2020
Europe and External Affairs
Culture and Tourism2016–2017
Rachael Hamilton2017–2020
FinanceMurdo Fraser2016–2020
Economy, Jobs and Fair WorkDean Lockhart2016–2020
Health and SportDonald Cameron2016–2017
Miles Briggs2017–2020
Education and SkillsLiz Smith2016–2020
ConstitutionAdam Tomkins2016–2020
Social Security2016–2018
Michelle Ballantyne2018–2020
JusticeDouglas Ross2016–2017
Liam Kerr2017–2020
Rural Economy and ConnectivityPeter Chapman2016–2020
Environment, Climate Change and Land ReformMaurice Golden2016–2017
Donald Cameron2017–2020
Chief WhipJohn Lamont2016–2017
Maurice Golden2017–2020
Carlaw Shadow Cabinet!Portfolio!Officeholder!Term
LeaderJackson CarlawFebruary–August 2020
Deputy LeaderLiam KerrFebruary–August 2020
Justice
Deputy LeaderAnnie WellsFebruary–August 2020
Climate Change, Environment and Land Reform
FinanceDonald CameronFebruary–August 2020
Constitution and External AffairsMurdo FraserFebruary–August 2020
StrategyAdam TomkinsFebruary–August 2020
HealthMiles BriggsFebruary–August 2020
EducationJamie GreeneFebruary–August 2020
Parliamentary Business ManagerMaurice GoldenFebruary–August 2020
Climate Change, Environment and Land Reform
Economy, Fair Work and Culture
Business, Infrastructure and TransportDean LockhartFebruary–August 2020
Rural Economy and TourismRachael HamiltonFebruary–August 2020
Housing, Communities and Social SecurityGraham SimpsonFebruary–August 2020
Chief WhipLiz SmithFebruary–August 2020
Ross–Davidson Shadow Cabinet!Portfolio!Officeholder!Term
LeaderDouglas Ross2020–present
Leader in the Scottish ParliamentRuth Davidson2020–2021
Education and SkillsJamie Greene2020–present
JusticeLiam Kerr2020–present
Health and SportDonald Cameron2020–present
FinanceMurdo Fraser2020–present
Environment, Climate Change and Land ReformLiz Smith2020–present
Rural Economy and TourismJamie Halcro Johnston2020–present
Constitution, Europe and External AffairsDean Lockhart2020–present
Communities and Local GovernmentAnnie Wells2020–present
Economy, Fair Work and CultureMaurice Golden2020–present
Transport, Infrastructure and ConnectivityGraham Simpson2020–present
Social Security and Older PeopleRachael Hamilton2020–present
Chief WhipMiles Briggs2020–present

Scottish Labour Shadow Cabinets

Previous Shadow Cabinets

McConnell Shadow Cabinet!Portfolio!Officeholder!Term
LeaderJack McConnellMay–August 2007
Deputy Leader and Parliamentary BusinessCathy JamiesonMay–August 2007
Finance and Sustainable GrowthWendy AlexanderMay–August 2007
Education and Lifelong LearningHugh HenryMay–August 2007
Health and WellbeingAndy KerrMay–August 2007
JusticeMargaret CurranMay–August 2007
Rural Affairs and EnvironmentRhona BrankinMay–August 2007
Junior Opposition posts
Europe, External Affairs and CulturePatricia FergusonMay–August 2007
Enterprise, Energy and TourismIain GrayMay–August 2007
Transport, Infrastructure and Climate ChangeDes McNultyMay–August 2007
Schools and SkillsKen MacintoshMay–August 2007
Children and Early YearsPauline McNeillMay–August 2007
Public HealthLewis MacdonaldMay–August 2007
Communities and SportJohann LamontMay–August 2007
Community SafetyPaul MartinMay–August 2007
EnvironmentSarah BoyackMay–August 2007
Deputy Parliamentary BusinessMichael McMahonMay–August 2007
Parliamentary Private Secretary to Jack McConnellRichard BakerMay–August 2007
Alexander Shadow Cabinet!Portfolio!Officeholder!Term
LeaderWendy Alexander2007–2008
Deputy LeaderCathy Jamieson2007–2008
Parliamentary Business
Finance and Sustainable GrowthIain Gray2007–2008
Health and WellbeingMargaret Curran2007–2008
Public Services and Local GovernmentAndy Kerr2007–2008
JusticePauline McNeil2007–2008
Education and Lifelong LearningRhona Brankin2007–2008
Rural Affairs and EnvironmentSarah Boyack2007–2008
Junior Opposition posts
Europe and CulturePatricia Ferguson2007–2008
Transport, Infrastructure and Climate ChangeDes McNulty2007–2008
Schools and SkillsKen Macintosh2007–2008
Public HealthLewis Macdonald2007–2008
Communities and SportJohann Lamont2007–2008
Community SafetyPaul Martin2007–2008
Gray Shadow Cabinet[5] [6] !Portfolio!Officeholder!Term
LeaderIain Gray2008–2011
Deputy LeaderJohann Lamont2008–2011
Parliamentary Business ManagerMichael McMahon2008–2011
Chief WhipDavid Stewart2008–2011
Europe, External Affairs and CulturePauline McNeill2008–2011
Finance and Sustainable GrowthAndy Kerr2008–2011
Economy and SkillsJohn Park2008–2009
Education and Lifelong LearningRhona Brankin2008–2009
Des McNulty2009–2011
Health and WellbeingCathy Jamieson2008–2009
Jackie Baillie2009–2011
JusticeRichard Baker2008–2011
Rural Affairs and EnvironmentSarah Boyack2008–2011
Minister without PortfolioMargaret Curran2008–2010
John Park2010–2011
Local GovernmentMichael McMahon2009–2011
Lamont Shadow Cabinet[7] [8] !Portfolio!Officeholder!Term
LeaderJohann Lamont2011–2014
Deputy LeaderAnas Sarwar2011–2014
Finance, Employment and Sustainable GrowthKen Macintosh2011–2013
Iain Gray2013–2014
Education and Lifelong LearningHugh Henry2011–2013
Kezia Dugdale2013–2014
Health and WellbeingJackie Baillie2011–2013
Neil Findlay2013–2014
Culture, External Affairs and the Commonwealth GamesPatricia Ferguson2011–2014
JusticeGraeme Pearson2011–2013
Lewis Macdonald2013–2014
Infrastructure and Capital InvestmentRichard Baker2011–2013
James Kelly2013–2014
Local Government and PlanningSarah Boyack2011–2014
Rural Affairs and EnvironmentClaire Baker2011–2014
ConstitutionDrew Smith2013–2014
Social Justice, Equalities and WelfareJackie Baillie2013–2014
Parliamentary Business ManagerPaul Martin2011–2014
Chief WhipJames Kelly2011–2013
Lewis Macdonald2013–2014
Also attending Shadow Cabinet meetings
PortfolioOfficeholderTerm
Youth EmploymentKezia Dugdale2011–2013
Jenny Marra2013–2014
Deputy FinanceJenny Marra2013–2014
Parliamentary Private Secretary to Johann LamontSiobhan McMahon2011–2014
Murphy Shadow Cabinet[9] !Portfolio!Officeholder!Term
LeaderJim Murphy2014–2015
Deputy LeaderKezia Dugdale2014–2015
Finance, Constitution and EconomyJackie Baillie2014–2015
Infrastructure, Investment and CitiesMary Fee2014–2015
Fair Work, Skills and TrainingNeil Findlay2014–2015
Education and Lifelong LearningIain Gray2014–2015
Health, Wellbeing and SportJenny Marra2014–2015
Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners' RightsKen Macintosh2014–2015
JusticeHugh Henry2014–2015
Rural Affairs, Food and EnvironmentSarah Boyack2014–2015
Culture, Europe and External AffairsClaire Baker2014–2015
EnterpriseGraeme Pearson2014–2015
Chief WhipNeil Bibby2014–2015
Parliamentary Business ManagerJames Kelly2014–2015
First Dugdale Shadow Cabinet[10] !Portfolio!Officeholder!Term
LeaderKezia Dugdale2015–2016
Deputy LeaderAlex Rowley2015–2016
EqualityJenny Marra2015–2016
OpportunityIain Gray2015–2016
JusticeGraeme Pearson2015–2016
Public Services and Wealth CreationJackie Baillie2015–2016
CommunityKen Macintosh2015–2016
Environmental JusticeSarah Boyack2015–2016
DemocracyClaire Baker2015–2016
ReformMary Fee2015–2016
Parliamentary Business ManagerJames Kelly2015–2016
Chief WhipNeil Bibby2015–2016
Second Dugdale Shadow Cabinet[11] !Portfolio!Officeholder!Term
LeaderKezia Dugdale2016–2017
Deputy LeaderAlex Rowley2016–2017
Economy, Jobs and Fair WorkJackie Baillie2016–2017
FinanceKezia Dugdale2016–2017
Community, Social Security and EqualitiesAlex Rowley2016–2017
Education, Skills and ScienceIain Gray2016–2017
JusticeClaire Baker2016–2017
Health and SportAnas Sarwar2016–2017
Culture, Sport, Tourism and External AffairsLewis Macdonald2016–2017
Environment, Climate Change and Land ReformClaudia Beamish2016–2017
Rural Economy and ConnectivityRhoda Grant2016–2017
Parliamentary Business ManagerJames Kelly2016–2017
Leonard Shadow Cabinet[12] [13] [14] [15] !Portfolio!Officeholder!Term
LeaderRichard Leonard2017–2021
Deputy LeaderLesley Laird2017–2019
Jackie Baillie2020–2021
Economy, Jobs and Fair WorkJackie Baillie2017–2018
Richard Leonard2018–2021
FinanceJames Kelly2017–2019
Rhoda Grant2019–2020
Jackie Baillie2020–2021
JusticeDaniel Johnson2017–2019
James Kelly2019–2020
Rhoda Grant2020–2021
ConstitutionNeil Findlay2017–2019
Alex Rowley2019–2020
Anas Sarwar2020–2021
Education, Skills and ScienceIain Gray2017–2021
Health and SportAnas Sarwar2017–2018
Monica Lennon2018–2021
Environment, Climate Change and Land ReformClaudia Beamish2017–2021
PovertyElaine Smith2017–2019
David Stewart2019–2020
Rhoda Grant2020
Elaine Smith2020–2021
Culture, Tourism and External AffairsClaire Baker2017–2021
Transport, Infrastructure and ConnectivityColin Smyth2017–2021
Communities and EqualitiesMonica Lennon2017–2018
Alex Rowley2018–2019
Pauline McNeill2019–2021
Local GovernmentSarah Boyack2019–2021
Campaigns and Party EngagementNeil Findlay2017–2019
Joe Cullinane2019–2021
Deputy EconomyAlex Rowley2020–2021
Parliamentary Business ManagerRhoda Grant2017–2018
Neil Findlay2018–2019
Elaine Smith2019–2021
Sarwar Campaign Cabinet - 2021 Scottish Election[16] !Portfolio!Officeholder!Term
LeaderAnas Sarwar2021–present
Deputy LeaderJackie Baillie2021–present
Health, Social Care and Equalities
Economy, Jobs and Fair WorkMonica Lennon2021–present
FinanceDaniel Johnson2021–present
Education and SkillsMichael Marra2021–present
Environment, Climate Change and Land ReformSarah Boyack2021–present
JusticeNeil Bibby2021–present
Communities, Housing and Local GovernmentPauline McNeill2021–present
Constitution, Europe and External AffairsColin Smyth2021–present
Social SecurityPam Duncan-Glancy2021–present
CultureClaire Baker2021–present
Rural Economy and TourismRhoda Grant2021–present
Transport, Infrastructure and ConnectivityAlex Rowley2021–present
Parliamentary Business ManagerJames Kelly2021–present
Community Safety and Drugs Policy
Also attending Shadow Cabinet
Shadow Secretary of State for ScotlandIan Murray2021–present
Chair of the Scottish Parliamentary Labour PartyMark Griffin2021–present
Business, Fair Work and Skills

Scottish Greens Spokespersons

Harvie–Slater Spokespersons[17] !Portfolio!Officeholder!Term
Co-LeaderPatrick Harvie2008–present
Finance and Constitutional Affairs Spokesperson[18] 2024-present
Co-LeaderLorna Slater2019–present[19]
Economic Recovery and Green Industrial Strategy Spokesperson[20] 2024-present
Health and Social Care Spokesperson Gillian Mackay2021–present
Education, Culture and External Affairs SpokespersonRoss Greer2021–present
Communities, Land Reform, Housing and Rural Affairs Spokesperson Ariane Burgess2021–present
Environment, Climate, Transport and Environment Spokesperson Mark Ruskell2021–present
Justice, Equality and Human Rights Maggie Chapman[21] 2021–present

Liberal Democrat Spokespersons

Cole-Hamilton Spokespersons[22] !Portfolio!Officeholder!Term
LeaderAlex Cole-Hamilton2021–present
Health and Social Care, Drugs Emergency, Constitution and External Affairs Spokesperson
Deputy Leader2021–present
Rural Affairs & Connectivity Spokesperson Beatrice Wishart2021–present
Justice and the Climate Emergency SpokespersonLiam McArthur2021–present
Education, the Economy & Communities SpokespersonWillie Rennie2021–present
Human Rights & Older People Spokesperson Aisha Mir 2021–present
Veterans, Science, Innovation & Emerging Tech SpokespersonBruce Wilson 2021–present
Social Security SpokespersonCaron Lindsay 2021-present
Agriculture, Remote & Rural Communities SpokespersonClaire McLaren [23] 2022–present
Young People SpokespersonJack Norquoy 2021–present
Transport Spokesperson Jill Reilly 2021–present
Finance Spokesperson John Ferry 2021–present
Business, Trade & Investment Spokesperson Molly Nolan 2021–present
Housing & Homelessness Spokesperson Paul McGarry 2021–present
Local Government Spokesperson Peter Barrett 2021–present
Net Zero Spokesperson Sanne Dijkstra-Downie 2021–present
Mental Health SpokespersonSally Pattle 2022-present
Culture and Sport SpokespersonNeil Alexander 2023-present
Transport SpokespersonDaniel O'Malley 2023-present

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Scottish English spelling used
  2. https://www.holyrood.com/articles/inside-politics/scottish-conservative-shadow-cabinet-ruth-davidson-announces-new-team Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet: Ruth Davidson announces new team
  3. News: 2017-06-28 . Ruth Davidson unveils reshuffled Scottish Tory shadow cabinet . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180621010201/https://www.holyrood.com/articles/news/ruth-davidson-unveils-reshuffled-scottish-tory-shadow-cabinet . 21 June 2018 . 2018-01-11 . Holyrood magazine . en-GB.
  4. Web site: 4 May 2018 . Shadow cabinet role for former Selkirkshire councillor Michelle Ballantyne . 2021-01-21 . The Southern Reporter . en.
  5. Web site: 2008-09-16. Labour leadership: New Scottish Labour leader attacks David Cairns. 2021-01-19. The Guardian. en.
  6. Web site: 16 June 2010. Party Spokespersons.
  7. Web site: 19 December 2011. New Scottish Labour shadow cabinet announced. 2021-01-19. LabourList. en-GB.
  8. News: 2013-06-28. Johann Lamont in Scottish Labour front bench shake-up. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-01-19.
  9. Web site: 2014-12-16. Scottish Labour reshuffle sees allies and rivals alike on Holyrood front bench. 2021-01-19. The Guardian. en.
  10. News: 19 August 2015. Kezia Dugdale announces new Scottish Labour frontbench. 2021-01-18. LabourList. en-GB.
  11. Web site: 25 May 2016. Scottish Labour announce front bench team. 2021-01-18. The Scotsman. en.
  12. News: 2017-12-19. New Scottish shadow cabinet in full LabourList. en-GB. LabourList Labour's biggest independent grassroots e-network. 2018-01-04.
  13. News: Sarwar and Baillie out in Labour reshuffle. 2018-10-04. BBC News. 2018-10-04. en-GB.
  14. Web site: 2 September 2019. Scottish Labour reshuffle as Sarah Boyack returns to frontline politics. 2019-10-23. www.scotsman.com. en.
  15. Web site: Ponsonby. Bernard. 2020-11-16. Anas Sarwar returns to Labour frontbench in reshuffle. 2021-01-18. STV News. en-GB.
  16. Web site: Rodgers. Sienna. 1 March 2021. Sarwar unveils new 'campaign cabinet' to lead Scottish Labour into election. 2021-03-05. LabourList. en-GB.
  17. News: 22 May 2016. Scottish Greens Spokespersons. Herald Scotland. 24 November 2017.
  18. Web site: Patrick Harvie MSP. Scottish Parliament.
  19. Alison Johnson held the position of Scottish Greens Co-Leader in the Scottish Parliament from August 2019 to May 2021, as Lorna Slater was not a MSP.
  20. Web site: Lorna Slater MSP. Scottish Parliament.
  21. Web site: Maggie Chapman MSP. Scottish Greens.
  22. News: Scottish Liberal Democrats - Our Spokespeople Team . . 7 May 2023 . 7 May 2023.
  23. Web site: Kirsty Brown . Scottish Liberal Democrats announce Claire McLaren as new agriculture spokesperson . Grampian Online . 12 February 2022.

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