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).| Findlay Shadow Cabinet | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Minister
Constituency |
Portfolio | Term | |
| Shadow Cabinet Secretaries | |||
.jpg)
|
Russell Findlay
MSP for West Scotland |
Leader of the Scottish Conservatives | 2024–present |
|
Rachael Hamilton | Deputy Leader | 2024–present |
|
Craig Hoy
MSP for South Scotland |
Finance and Local Government | 2024–present |
.jpg)
|
Murdo Fraser | Business, Economy, Tourism and Culture | 2022–present |
|
Sandesh Gulhane | Health and Social Care | 2021–present |
|
Miles Briggs | Education and Skills | 2024–present |
|
Douglas Lumsden | Net Zero and Energy | 2022–present |
|
Liam Kerr | Justice | 2024–present |
|
Liz Smith | Social Security | 2024–present |
.jpg)
|
Meghan Gallacher
MSP for Central Scotland |
Housing | 2024–present |
|
Sue Webber | Transport | 2024–present |
|
Tim Eagle | Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Fishing | 2024–present |
|
Alexander Burnett | Chief Whip | 2024–present |
Current Scottish Labour Shadow Cabinet
.jpg)
_2.jpg)
Conservative Shadow Cabinets
Current Shadow Cabinet
Main article: Shadow Cabinet of Douglas RossPrevious Shadow Cabinets
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | 2019–2021 | |
| Deputy Economy | Alex Rowley | 2020–2021 |
| Parliamentary Business Manager | Rhoda Grant | 2017–2018 |
| Neil Findlay | 2018–2019 | |
| Elaine Smith | 2019–2021 |
Scottish Greens Spokespersons
| Portfolio | Officeholder | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Co-Leader | Patrick Harvie | 2008–present |
| Finance and Constitutional Affairs Spokesperson | 2024-present | |
| Co-Leader | Lorna Slater | 2019–present |
| Economic Recovery and Green Industrial Strategy Spokesperson | 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 | 2021–present |
Liberal Democrat Spokespersons
| Portfolio | Officeholder | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Leader | Alex Cole-Hamilton | 2021–present |
| Health and Social Care, Drugs Emergency, Constitution and External Affairs Spokesperson | ||
| Deputy Leader | Wendy Chamberlain | 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 | 2021–present |
| Veterans, Science, Innovation & Emerging Tech Spokesperson | Bruce Wilson | 2021–present |
| Social Security Spokesperson | Caron Lindsay | 2021-present |
| Agriculture, Remote & Rural Communities Spokesperson | Claire McLaren | 2022–present |
| Young People Spokesperson | Jack 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 Spokesperson | Sally Pattle | 2022-present |
| Culture and Sport Spokesperson | Neil Alexander | 2023-present |
| Transport Spokesperson | Daniel O'Malley | 2023-present |
See also
- Leader of the Opposition (Scotland), for the informal role
Notes
- Formed after the Scottish Conservatives came second at the 2016 Scottish Parliament election
- Formed after Scottish Labour came third at the 2016 Scottish Parliament election
- Leader of North Ayrshire Council, not a Member of the Scottish Parliament
- Member of Parliament
- ^ Not a Member of the Scottish Parliament
- ^ Councillor on Perth and Kinross Council, not a Member of the Scottish Parliament
- Councillor on Highland Council, not a Member of the Scottish Parliament
- Councillor on West Lothian Council, not a Member of the Scottish Parliament
References
- Scottish English spelling used
- Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet: Ruth Davidson announces new team. Holyrood, 19 May 2016.
- "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.
- "Shadow cabinet role for former Selkirkshire councillor Michelle Ballantyne". The Southern Reporter. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- "Labour leadership: New Scottish Labour leader attacks David Cairns". The Guardian. 16 September 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- "Party Spokespersons" (PDF). 16 June 2010.
- "New Scottish Labour shadow cabinet announced". LabourList. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- "Johann Lamont in Scottish Labour front bench shake-up". BBC News. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- "Scottish Labour reshuffle sees allies and rivals alike on Holyrood front bench". The Guardian. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- "Kezia Dugdale announces new Scottish Labour frontbench". LabourList. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- "Scottish Labour announce front bench team". The Scotsman. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- "New Scottish shadow cabinet in full | LabourList". LabourList | Labour's biggest independent grassroots e-network. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- "Sarwar and Baillie out in Labour reshuffle". BBC News. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- "Scottish Labour reshuffle as Sarah Boyack returns to frontline politics". www.scotsman.com. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
- Ponsonby, Bernard (16 November 2020). "Anas Sarwar returns to Labour frontbench in reshuffle". STV News. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- Rodgers, Sienna (1 March 2021). "Sarwar unveils new 'campaign cabinet' to lead Scottish Labour into election". LabourList. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- "Scottish Greens Spokespersons". Herald Scotland. 22 May 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- "Patrick Harvie MSP". Scottish Parliament.
- 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.
- "Lorna Slater MSP". Scottish Parliament.
- "Maggie Chapman MSP". Scottish Greens.
- "Scottish Liberal Democrats - Our Spokespeople Team". Scottish Liberal Democrats. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- Kirsty Brown (12 February 2022). "Scottish Liberal Democrats announce Claire McLaren as new agriculture spokesperson". Grampian Online.
External links
- "Scottish Parliament Fact sheet: Party Spokespersons" (PDF). 31 May 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- Conservative Shadow Cabinet -
- Labour Shadow Cabinet - New Scottish shadow cabinet in full
- Scottish Greens Spokespeople - Holyrood Candidates
- Lib Dem Spokespeople - Our Team