Kezia Dugdale announces new Scottish Labour frontbench

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has revealed her new frontbench team. Dugdale, who was elected as leader on Saturday, has chosen a team to shadow the SNP is the Scottish Parliament, but has signalled a move away from that as their only duty. Therefore, the roles MSPs do not all directly equate to a government position.

Make the announcement this morning, Dugdale said:

“I am excited about the future. We all know the big task that faces Scottish Labour in the months and years ahead, but we’re up for it. My new team has a good mix of experience and vision to start the task of renewing Scottish Labour.

“The most important goal of any party must be to ensure that the life chances of our young people are determined by their potential, work rate and ambition, not by their background. These values will drive my team in every portfolio.

“Everybody in Scottish politics needs to get up to speed with the changed mood of the nation. The public will no longer accept politicians from any party complaining about what we can’t do. We all need to offer a positive vision of what we will do with the powers we do have.”

You can see the new team in full below (with job description in italics):

Leader – Kezia Dugdale

Deputy Leader – Alex Rowley

Covering policy and strategy

Equality Spokesperson – Jenny Marra

Covering health, equalities, welfare, care, social inclusion

Opportunity Spokesperson – Iain Gray

Covering schools, childcare, skills, lifelong learning, sport, science, workplace issues

Justice Spokesperson – Graeme Pearson

Covering justice and policing

Public Services and Wealth Creation Spokesperson – Jackie Baillie

Finance, infrastructure, business, delivery of public services, tourism

Community Spokesperson – Ken Macintosh

Covering housing, local government, cities, planning, island communities 

Environmental Justice Spokesperson – Sarah Boyack

Covering transport, environment and rural affairs, land reform, climate change, energy (including oil and gas)

Democracy Spokesperson – Claire Baker

Covering constitution, Europe, culture, power in society

Reform Spokesperson – Mary Fee

Covering party and parliamentary reform

Business Manager – James Kelly

Chief Whip – Neil Bibby

Both roles covering parliamentary business