Opposition Shadow Cabinets of the Scottish Parliament

Jackson Carlaw (left) and Ruth Davidson (right) on the Scottish Conservative frontbench in 2018

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 Conservative Shadow Cabinet

This section is an excerpt from Shadow Cabinet of Russell Findlay § Shadow Cabinet (2024–present).[edit]
Findlay Shadow Cabinet
Shadow Minister

Constituency

Portfolio Term
Shadow Cabinet Secretaries
Russell Findlay

MSP for West Scotland

Leader of the Scottish Conservatives 2024–present
Rachael Hamilton

MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire

Deputy Leader 2024–present
Craig Hoy

MSP for South Scotland

Finance and Local Government 2024–present
Murdo Fraser

MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife

Business, Economy, Tourism and Culture 2022–present
Sandesh Gulhane

MSP for Glasgow

Health and Social Care 2021–present
Miles Briggs

MSP for Lothian

Education and Skills 2024–present
Douglas Lumsden

MSP for North East Scotland

Net Zero and Energy 2022–present
Liam Kerr

MSP for North East Scotland

Justice 2024–present
Liz Smith

MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife

Social Security 2024–present
Meghan Gallacher

MSP for Central Scotland

Housing 2024–present
Sue Webber

MSP for Lothian

Transport 2024–present
Tim Eagle

MSP for Highlands and Islands

Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Fishing 2024–present
Alexander Burnett

MSP for Aberdeenshire West

Chief Whip 2024–present

Current Scottish Labour Shadow Cabinet

Sarwar Shadow Cabinet
Minister
Constituency 		Portfolio Shadows Term
Shadow Cabinet Secretaries
Anas Sarwar
MSP for Glasgow 		Leader John Swinney 2021–present
Jackie Baillie
MSP for Dumbarton 		Depute Leader[1] Kate Forbes 2021–present
NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care and Drugs Policy Neil Gray
Michael Marra
MSP for North East Scotland 		Finance Shona Robinson 2023–present
Daniel Johnson
MSP for Edinburgh Southern 		Economy, Business and Fair Work Kate Forbes 2021–present
Neil Bibby
MSP for West Scotland 		Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Angus Robertson 2023-present
Sarah Boyack
MSP for Lothian 		Net Zero, Energy, and Just Transition Màiri McAllan 2023-present
Pam Duncan-Glancy
MSP for Glasgow 		Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth 2023-present
Rhoda Grant
MSP for Highlands and Islands 		Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon 2023-present
Pauline McNeill
MSP for Glasgow 		Justice Angela Constance 2021-present
Paul O'Kane
MSP for West Scotland 		Social Justice and Social Security, and Equalities Shirley-Anne Somerville 2023-present
Junior ministers
Alex Rowley
MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife 		Transport Fiona Hyslop 2023-present
Mark Griffin
MSP for Central Scotland 		Local Government and Housing Paul McLennan 2023-present
Foysol Choudhury
MSP for Lothian 		Culture, Europe and International Development Tom Arthur 2023-present
Katy Clark
MSP for West Scotland 		Community Safety Siobhian Brown 2023-present
Carol Mochan
MSP for South Scotland 		Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto 2023-present
Paul Sweeney
MSP for Glasgow 		Mental Health and Veterans Graeme Dey 2023-present
Mercedes Villalba
MSP for North East Scotland 		Environment and Biodiversity Alasdair Allan 2023-present
Martin Whitfield
MSP for South Scotland 		Parliamentary Business Manager Jamie Hepburn 2023-present
Children and Young People Natalie Don
Colin Smyth
MSP for South Scotland 		Older persons' champion Kaukab Stewart 2023-present
Westminster Cabinet Ministers
Ian Murray
MP for Edinburgh South 		Secretary of State for Scotland N/A 2024–present
Douglas Alexander
MP for Lothian East 		Minister of State for Business and Trade N/A 2024-present
Kirsty McNeill
MP for Midlothian 		Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland N/A 2024-present
Michael Shanks
MP for Rutherglen 		Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero N/A 2024-present

Conservative Shadow Cabinets

Current Shadow Cabinet

Main article: Shadow Cabinet of Douglas Ross

Previous Shadow Cabinets

Second Davidson Shadow Cabinet[2][3][4][n 1]
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Leader Ruth Davidson 2016–2020
Deputy Leader Jackson Carlaw 2016–2020
Europe and External Affairs
Culture and Tourism 2016–2017
Rachael Hamilton 2017–2020
Finance Murdo Fraser 2016–2020
Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Dean Lockhart 2016–2020
Health and Sport Donald Cameron 2016–2017
Miles Briggs 2017–2020
Education and Skills Liz Smith 2016–2020
Constitution Adam Tomkins 2016–2020
Social Security 2016–2018
Michelle Ballantyne 2018–2020
Justice Douglas Ross 2016–2017
Liam Kerr 2017–2020
Rural Economy and Connectivity Peter Chapman 2016–2020
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Maurice Golden 2016–2017
Donald Cameron 2017–2020
Chief Whip John Lamont 2016–2017
Maurice Golden 2017–2020
Carlaw Shadow Cabinet
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Leader Jackson Carlaw February–August 2020
Deputy Leader Liam Kerr February–August 2020
Justice
Deputy Leader Annie Wells February–August 2020
Climate Change, Environment and Land Reform
Finance Donald Cameron February–August 2020
Constitution and External Affairs Murdo Fraser February–August 2020
Strategy Adam Tomkins February–August 2020
Health Miles Briggs February–August 2020
Education Jamie Greene February–August 2020
Parliamentary Business Manager Maurice Golden February–August 2020
Climate Change, Environment and Land Reform
Economy, Fair Work and Culture
Business, Infrastructure and Transport Dean Lockhart February–August 2020
Rural Economy and Tourism Rachael Hamilton February–August 2020
Housing, Communities and Social Security Graham Simpson February–August 2020
Chief Whip Liz Smith February–August 2020
Ross–Davidson Shadow Cabinet
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Leader Douglas Ross 2020–present
Leader in the Scottish Parliament Ruth Davidson 2020–2021
Education and Skills Jamie Greene 2020–present
Justice Liam Kerr 2020–present
Health and Sport Donald Cameron 2020–present
Finance Murdo Fraser 2020–present
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Liz Smith 2020–present
Rural Economy and Tourism Jamie Halcro Johnston 2020–present
Constitution, Europe and External Affairs Dean Lockhart 2020–present
Communities and Local Government Annie Wells 2020–present
Economy, Fair Work and Culture Maurice Golden 2020–present
Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Graham Simpson 2020–present
Social Security and Older People Rachael Hamilton 2020–present
Chief Whip Miles Briggs 2020–present

Scottish Labour Shadow Cabinets

Previous Shadow Cabinets

McConnell Shadow Cabinet[citation needed]
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Leader Jack McConnell May–August 2007
Deputy Leader and Parliamentary Business Cathy Jamieson May–August 2007
Finance and Sustainable Growth Wendy Alexander May–August 2007
Education and Lifelong Learning Hugh Henry May–August 2007
Health and Wellbeing Andy Kerr May–August 2007
Justice Margaret Curran May–August 2007
Rural Affairs and Environment Rhona Brankin May–August 2007
Junior Opposition posts
Europe, External Affairs and Culture Patricia Ferguson May–August 2007
Enterprise, Energy and Tourism Iain Gray May–August 2007
Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Des McNulty May–August 2007
Schools and Skills Ken Macintosh May–August 2007
Children and Early Years Pauline McNeill May–August 2007
Public Health Lewis Macdonald May–August 2007
Communities and Sport Johann Lamont May–August 2007
Community Safety Paul Martin May–August 2007
Environment Sarah Boyack May–August 2007
Deputy Parliamentary Business Michael McMahon May–August 2007
Parliamentary Private Secretary to Jack McConnell Richard Baker May–August 2007
Alexander Shadow Cabinet[citation needed]
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Leader Wendy Alexander 2007–2008
Deputy Leader Cathy Jamieson 2007–2008
Parliamentary Business
Finance and Sustainable Growth Iain Gray 2007–2008
Health and Wellbeing Margaret Curran 2007–2008
Public Services and Local Government Andy Kerr 2007–2008
Justice Pauline McNeil 2007–2008
Education and Lifelong Learning Rhona Brankin 2007–2008
Rural Affairs and Environment Sarah Boyack 2007–2008
Junior Opposition posts
Europe and Culture Patricia Ferguson 2007–2008
Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Des McNulty 2007–2008
Schools and Skills Ken Macintosh 2007–2008
Public Health Lewis Macdonald 2007–2008
Communities and Sport Johann Lamont 2007–2008
Community Safety Paul Martin 2007–2008
Gray Shadow Cabinet[5][6]
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Leader Iain Gray 2008–2011
Deputy Leader Johann Lamont 2008–2011
Parliamentary Business Manager Michael McMahon 2008–2011
Chief Whip David Stewart 2008–2011
Europe, External Affairs and Culture Pauline McNeill 2008–2011
Finance and Sustainable Growth Andy Kerr 2008–2011
Economy and Skills John Park 2008–2009
Education and Lifelong Learning Rhona Brankin 2008–2009
Des McNulty 2009–2011
Health and Wellbeing Cathy Jamieson 2008–2009
Jackie Baillie 2009–2011
Justice Richard Baker 2008–2011
Rural Affairs and Environment Sarah Boyack 2008–2011
Minister without Portfolio Margaret Curran 2008–2010
John Park 2010–2011
Local Government Michael McMahon 2009–2011
Lamont Shadow Cabinet[7][8]
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Leader Johann Lamont 2011–2014
Deputy Leader Anas Sarwar 2011–2014
Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth Ken Macintosh 2011–2013
Iain Gray 2013–2014
Education and Lifelong Learning Hugh Henry 2011–2013
Kezia Dugdale 2013–2014
Health and Wellbeing Jackie Baillie 2011–2013
Neil Findlay 2013–2014
Culture, External Affairs and the Commonwealth Games Patricia Ferguson 2011–2014
Justice Graeme Pearson 2011–2013
Lewis Macdonald 2013–2014
Infrastructure and Capital Investment Richard Baker 2011–2013
James Kelly 2013–2014
Local Government and Planning Sarah Boyack 2011–2014
Rural Affairs and Environment Claire Baker 2011–2014
Constitution Drew Smith 2013–2014
Social Justice, Equalities and Welfare Jackie Baillie 2013–2014
Parliamentary Business Manager Paul Martin 2011–2014
Chief Whip James Kelly 2011–2013
Lewis Macdonald 2013–2014
Also attending Shadow Cabinet meetings
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Youth Employment Kezia Dugdale 2011–2013
Jenny Marra 2013–2014
Deputy Finance Jenny Marra 2013–2014
Parliamentary Private Secretary to Johann Lamont Siobhan McMahon 2011–2014
Murphy Shadow Cabinet[9]
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Leader Jim Murphy 2014–2015
Deputy Leader Kezia Dugdale 2014–2015
Finance, Constitution and Economy Jackie Baillie 2014–2015
Infrastructure, Investment and Cities Mary Fee 2014–2015
Fair Work, Skills and Training Neil Findlay 2014–2015
Education and Lifelong Learning Iain Gray 2014–2015
Health, Wellbeing and Sport Jenny Marra 2014–2015
Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners' Rights Ken Macintosh 2014–2015
Justice Hugh Henry 2014–2015
Rural Affairs, Food and Environment Sarah Boyack 2014–2015
Culture, Europe and External Affairs Claire Baker 2014–2015
Enterprise Graeme Pearson 2014–2015
Chief Whip Neil Bibby 2014–2015
Parliamentary Business Manager James Kelly 2014–2015
First Dugdale Shadow Cabinet[10]
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Leader Kezia Dugdale 2015–2016
Deputy Leader Alex Rowley 2015–2016
Equality Jenny Marra 2015–2016
Opportunity Iain Gray 2015–2016
Justice Graeme Pearson 2015–2016
Public Services and Wealth Creation Jackie Baillie 2015–2016
Community Ken Macintosh 2015–2016
Environmental Justice Sarah Boyack 2015–2016
Democracy Claire Baker 2015–2016
Reform Mary Fee 2015–2016
Parliamentary Business Manager James Kelly 2015–2016
Chief Whip Neil Bibby 2015–2016
Second Dugdale Shadow Cabinet[11][n 2]
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Leader Kezia Dugdale 2016–2017
Deputy Leader Alex Rowley 2016–2017
Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Jackie Baillie 2016–2017
Finance Kezia Dugdale 2016–2017
Community, Social Security and Equalities Alex Rowley 2016–2017
Education, Skills and Science Iain Gray 2016–2017
Justice Claire Baker 2016–2017
Health and Sport Anas Sarwar 2016–2017
Culture, Sport, Tourism and External Affairs Lewis Macdonald 2016–2017
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Claudia Beamish 2016–2017
Rural Economy and Connectivity Rhoda Grant 2016–2017
Parliamentary Business Manager James Kelly 2016–2017
Leonard Shadow Cabinet[12][13][14][15]
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Leader Richard Leonard 2017–2021
Deputy Leader Lesley Laird 2017–2019
Jackie Baillie 2020–2021
Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Jackie Baillie 2017–2018
Richard Leonard 2018–2021
Finance James Kelly 2017–2019
Rhoda Grant 2019–2020
Jackie Baillie 2020–2021
Justice Daniel Johnson 2017–2019
James Kelly 2019–2020
Rhoda Grant 2020–2021
Constitution Neil Findlay 2017–2019
Alex Rowley 2019–2020
Anas Sarwar 2020–2021
Education, Skills and Science Iain Gray 2017–2021
Health and Sport Anas Sarwar 2017–2018
Monica Lennon 2018–2021
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Claudia Beamish 2017–2021
Poverty Elaine Smith 2017–2019
David Stewart 2019–2020
Rhoda Grant 2020
Elaine Smith 2020–2021
Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Claire Baker 2017–2021
Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Colin Smyth 2017–2021
Communities and Equalities Monica Lennon 2017–2018
Alex Rowley 2018–2019
Pauline McNeill 2019–2021
Local Government Sarah Boyack 2019–2021
Campaigns and Party Engagement Neil Findlay 2017–2019
Joe Cullinane[n 3] 2019–2021
Deputy Economy Alex Rowley 2020–2021
Parliamentary Business Manager Rhoda Grant 2017–2018
Neil Findlay 2018–2019
Elaine Smith 2019–2021
Sarwar Campaign Cabinet - 2021 Scottish Election[16]
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Leader Anas Sarwar 2021–present
Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie 2021–present
Health, Social Care and Equalities
Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Monica Lennon 2021–present
Finance Daniel Johnson 2021–present
Education and Skills Michael Marra 2021–present
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Sarah Boyack 2021–present
Justice Neil Bibby 2021–present
Communities, Housing and Local Government Pauline McNeill 2021–present
Constitution, Europe and External Affairs Colin Smyth 2021–present
Social Security Pam Duncan-Glancy 2021–present
Culture Claire Baker 2021–present
Rural Economy and Tourism Rhoda Grant 2021–present
Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Alex Rowley 2021–present
Parliamentary Business Manager James Kelly 2021–present
Community Safety and Drugs Policy
Also attending Shadow Cabinet
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray 2021–present
Chair of the Scottish Parliamentary Labour Party Mark Griffin 2021–present
Business, Fair Work and Skills

Scottish Greens Spokespersons

Harvie–Slater Spokespersons[17]
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Co-Leader Patrick Harvie 2008–present
Finance and Constitutional Affairs Spokesperson[18] 2024-present
Co-Leader Lorna Slater 2019–present[19]
Economic Recovery and Green Industrial Strategy Spokesperson[20] 2024-present
Health and Social Care Spokesperson Gillian Mackay 2021–present
Education, Culture and External Affairs Spokesperson Ross Greer 2021–present
Communities, Land Reform, Housing and Rural Affairs Spokesperson Ariane Burgess 2021–present
Environment, Climate, Transport and Environment Spokesperson Mark Ruskell 2021–present
Justice, Equality and Human Rights Maggie Chapman[21] 2021–present

Liberal Democrat Spokespersons

Cole-Hamilton Spokespersons[22]
Portfolio Officeholder Term
Leader Alex Cole-Hamilton 2021–present
Health and Social Care, Drugs Emergency, Constitution and External Affairs Spokesperson
Deputy Leader Wendy Chamberlain [n 4] 2021–present
Rural Affairs & Connectivity Spokesperson Beatrice Wishart 2021–present
Justice and the Climate Emergency Spokesperson Liam McArthur 2021–present
Education, the Economy & Communities Spokesperson Willie Rennie 2021–present
Human Rights & Older People Spokesperson Aisha Mir [n 5] 2021–present
Veterans, Science, Innovation & Emerging Tech Spokesperson Bruce Wilson [n 5] 2021–present
Social Security Spokesperson Caron Lindsay [n 5] 2021-present
Agriculture, Remote & Rural Communities Spokesperson Claire McLaren [n 6][23] 2022–present
Young People Spokesperson Jack Norquoy [n 5] 2021–present
Transport Spokesperson Jill Reilly [n 5] 2021–present
Finance Spokesperson John Ferry [n 5] 2021–present
Business, Trade & Investment Spokesperson Molly Nolan [n 7] 2021–present
Housing & Homelessness Spokesperson Paul McGarry [n 5] 2021–present
Local Government Spokesperson Peter Barrett [n 6] 2021–present
Net Zero Spokesperson Sanne Dijkstra-Downie [n 5] 2021–present
Mental Health Spokesperson Sally Pattle [n 8] 2022-present
Culture and Sport Spokesperson Neil Alexander [n 5] 2023-present
Transport Spokesperson Daniel O'Malley [n 5] 2023-present

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Formed after the Scottish Conservatives came second at the 2016 Scottish Parliament election
  2. ^ Formed after Scottish Labour came third at the 2016 Scottish Parliament election
  3. ^ Leader of North Ayrshire Council, not a Member of the Scottish Parliament
  4. ^ Member of Parliament
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Not a Member of the Scottish Parliament
  6. ^ a b Councillor on Perth and Kinross Council, not a Member of the Scottish Parliament
  7. ^ Councillor on Highland Council, not a Member of the Scottish Parliament
  8. ^ Councillor on West Lothian Council, not a Member of the Scottish Parliament

References

  1. ^ Scottish English spelling used
  2. ^ Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet: Ruth Davidson announces new team. Holyrood, 19 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Ruth Davidson unveils reshuffled Scottish Tory shadow cabinet". Holyrood magazine. 28 June 2017. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Shadow cabinet role for former Selkirkshire councillor Michelle Ballantyne". The Southern Reporter. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Labour leadership: New Scottish Labour leader attacks David Cairns". The Guardian. 16 September 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Party Spokespersons" (PDF). 16 June 2010.
  7. ^ "New Scottish Labour shadow cabinet announced". LabourList. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Johann Lamont in Scottish Labour front bench shake-up". BBC News. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  9. ^ "Scottish Labour reshuffle sees allies and rivals alike on Holyrood front bench". The Guardian. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Kezia Dugdale announces new Scottish Labour frontbench". LabourList. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  11. ^ "Scottish Labour announce front bench team". The Scotsman. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  12. ^ "New Scottish shadow cabinet in full | LabourList". LabourList | Labour's biggest independent grassroots e-network. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Sarwar and Baillie out in Labour reshuffle". BBC News. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  14. ^ "Scottish Labour reshuffle as Sarah Boyack returns to frontline politics". www.scotsman.com. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  15. ^ Ponsonby, Bernard (16 November 2020). "Anas Sarwar returns to Labour frontbench in reshuffle". STV News. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  16. ^ Rodgers, Sienna (1 March 2021). "Sarwar unveils new 'campaign cabinet' to lead Scottish Labour into election". LabourList. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  17. ^ "Scottish Greens Spokespersons". Herald Scotland. 22 May 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  18. ^ "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. ^ "Lorna Slater MSP". Scottish Parliament.
  21. ^ "Maggie Chapman MSP". Scottish Greens.
  22. ^ "Scottish Liberal Democrats - Our Spokespeople Team". Scottish Liberal Democrats. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  23. ^ Kirsty Brown (12 February 2022). "Scottish Liberal Democrats announce Claire McLaren as new agriculture spokesperson". Grampian Online.