Scottish Labour Shadow Cabinet reshuffle in full

This morning we reported that new leader of Scottish Labour Jim Murphy was planning a reshuffle of his Shadow Cabinet, with every single portfolio changing hands in order to give the party a fresh start.

There is a 50/50 gender split of full cabinet members, with Mary Fee, Hugh Henry and Ken Macintosh the new entries. Both Murphy’s opponents for leader keep their places, with Neil Findlay moving from the health brief to Fair Work, Skills & Training, and Sarah Boyack moving from Local Government to Rural Affairs, Food & Environment. As rumoured, Jenny Marra takes Health, Wellbeing & Sport, while former leader Iain Gray gets Education & Lifelong Learning.

Mark Ferguson analyses the politics behind the moves:

“There are jobs for both of Murphy’s rivals for the Scottish leadership – Findlay is out in charge not just of work, but ensuring that workers in Scotland get a fair deal. His strong links with the unions could be an asset to Murphy, and warm his chilly relationship with the unions, if they work together. Boyack meanwhile has been given the rural affairs role. As expected, rising star Jenny Marra (someone we’ve championed here on LabourList – and who faces off against the SNP in Dundee) has been given the health portfolio, and James Kelly – a well liked organiser – has been put in charge of parliamentary business (AKA, Chief Whip). There’s also a big role for stand in Holyrood leader Jackie Bailie who will be the party’s finance spokesperson. Another one to watch out for is Ken MacIntosh – a close ally of Murphy (their constituencies overlap) he came second in the 2011 leadership contest before being moved out of the Shadow Cabinet by Johann Lamont. Expect him to play a big role in Murphy’s administration.”

Here’s the new frontbench:

Leader – Jim Murphy

Deputy Leader- Kezia Dugdale

Finance, Constitution & Economy – Jackie Baillie

Infrastructure, Investment & Cities – Mary Fee

Fair Work, Skills & Training – Neil Findlay

Education & Lifelong Learning – Iain Gray

Health, Wellbeing & Sport – Jenny Marra

Social Justice, Communities & Pensioners’ Rights – Ken Macintosh

Justice – Hugh Henry

Rural Affairs, Food & Environment – Sarah Boyack

Culture, Europe & External Affairs – Claire Baker

Parliamentary Business Manager – James Kelly

Also attending:

Chief Whip – Neil Bibby

Enterprise – Graeme Pearson