Opposition parties in the Scottish Parliament
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Unlike in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, where there is a recognised "Official Opposition" to the government of the day, all parties in the Scottish Parliament that are not in government are technically on the same footing as "opposition parties". With the Scottish National Party (SNP) currently in government, the Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Labour, Reform UK Scotland and the Scottish Greens each form shadow cabinets composed of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and prospective parliamentary candidates. The Scottish Liberal Democrats do not.
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 outside the Scottish Parliament.
Current Labour shadow cabinet
| Baillie Interim Shadow Cabinet | ||||
| Minister Constituency |
Portfolio | Shadows | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Cabinet Secretaries | ||||
| Vacant | Leader | John Swinney | 2026–present | |
 |
Jackie Baillie MSP for Dumbarton |
Acting Leader | John Swinney | 2026–present |
| Deputy Leader | Jenny Gilruth | 2021-present | ||
| Health and Care | Angela Constance | |||
|
|
Michael Marra MSP for North East Scotland |
Finance | Jenny Gilruth | 2023–present |
| Public Service Reform | Ivan McKee | 2026–present | ||
 |
Daniel Johnson MSP for Edinburgh Southern |
Economy, Tourism and Transport | Stephen Flynn | 2021–present |
 |
Claire Baker MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife |
Climate Action and Rural Affairs | Gillian Martin | 2026–present |
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Katherine Sangster MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East |
Education, Culture and Gaelic | Màiri McAllan | 2026–present |
 |
Pauline McNeill MSP for Glasgow |
Justice | Neil Gray | 2021–present |
 |
Mark Griffin MSP for Central Scotland |
Social Justice and Housing | Shirley-Anne Somerville | 2026–present |
| Minister Constituency |
Portfolio | Shadows | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Spokespersons | ||||
| Neil Bibby MSP for West Scotland |
Parliamentary Business, External Affairs and Veterans | Jamie Hepburn | 2026–present | |
| Paul Sweeney MSP for Glasgow |
Business and Fair Work | Tom Arthur | 2026–present | |
| Donald MacKinnon MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar |
Agriculture, Marine and the Islands | Jim Fairlie | 2026–present | |
| Jenny Young MSP for Central Scotland and Lothians West |
Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education | Ben Macpherson | 2026–present | |
| Joe Long MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife |
Community Care and Mental Wellbeing | Alison Thewliss | 2026–present | |
| Irshad Ahmed MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East |
Public Health and Sport | Maree Todd | 2026–present | |
| Katy Clark MSP for West Scotland |
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls | Kirsten Oswald | 2023–present | |
| Carol Mochan MSP for South Scotland |
Equalities and International Development | Simita Kumar | 2026–present | |
Current Reform UK shadow cabinet
| Offord Shadow Cabinet | ||||
| Minister Constituency |
Portfolio | Shadows | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Cabinet Secretaries | ||||
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The Lord Offord of Garvel MSP for West Scotland |
Leader | John Swinney | 2026–present |
| Economy and Public Sector Reform | Stephen Flynn | |||
| Ivan McKee | ||||
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Thomas Kerr MSP for Glasgow |
Deputy Leader | Jenny Gilruth | 2026–present |
| Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing | Shirley-Anne Somerville | |||
 |
Kim Schmulian MSP for Glasgow |
Finance | Jenny Gilruth | 2026–present |
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Angela Ross MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East |
Education | Màiri McAllan | 2026–present |
 |
Helen McDade MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife |
Health | Angela Constance | 2026–present |
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Amanda Bland MSP for Central Scotland and Lothians West |
Justice | Neil Gray | 2026–present |
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Jamie Langan MSP for South Scotland |
Rural Affairs | Gillian Martin | 2026–present |
| Offord Shadow Junior Ministers | ||||
| Minister Constituency |
Portfolio | Shadows | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Ministers | ||||
| Max Bannerman | Whip and Parliamentary Business | Jamie Hepburn | 2026–present | |
| Graham Simpson | Transport and Tourism | Stephen Flynn | 2026–present | |
| Duncan Massey | Energy | Stephen Gethins | 2026–present | |
| Amanda Lindsay | Women and Equalities | Simita Kumar | 2026–present | |
| Mark Simpson | Minister for Victims and Community Safety | Kirsten Oswald | 2026–present | |
| David Smith | Veterans and Community Care | Jamie Hepburn | 2026–present | |
| Alison Thewliss | ||||
| David Kirkwood | Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education | Ben Macpherson | 2026–present | |
| Vic Currie | Drugs, Alcohol Policy and Sport | Maree Todd | 2026–present | |
| Julie MacDougall | Local Government and Communities | Hannah Mary Goodlad | 2026–present | |
| Senga Beresford | Constitution | John Swinney | 2026–present | |
Current Green Shadow Cabinet
| Second MacKay-Greer Shadow Cabinet | ||||
| Minister Constituency |
Portfolio | Shadows | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Cabinet Secretaries | ||||
 |
Gillian Mackay | Co-Leader (First Minister candidate) | John Swinney | 2025–present |
| Constitution, External Affairs, Public Health and Sport (spokesperson) | Stephen Gethins | 2026–present | ||
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Ross Greer | Co-Leader | John Swinney | 2025–present |
| Finance | Jenny Gilruth | 2021–present | ||
 |
Lorna Slater | Public Service Reform | Ivan McKee | 2026–present |
| Group Business Manager | Jamie Hepburn | 2026–present | ||
 |
Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill | Health | Angela Constance | 2026–present |
 |
Laura Moodie | Education | Màiri McAllan | 2026–present |
 |
Holly Bruce | Social Justice | Shirley-Anne Somerville | 2026–present |
 |
Mark Ruskell | Climate Action and Nature | Gillian Martin | 2026–present |
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Maggie Chapman | Justice | Neil Gray | 2021–present |
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Patrick Harvie | Economy, Transport and Tourism | Stephen Flynn | 2026–present |
| Green Junior Spokespersons | ||||
| Ariane Burgess | Rural Affairs, Land Reform and the Marine Environment | 2021–present | ||
| Kristopher Leask | Energy, Local Government and the Islands | 2026–present | ||
| Cara McKee | Community Care | 2026–present | ||
| Q Manivannan | Culture | 2026–present | ||
| Iris Duane | Tertiary Education and Housing | 2026–present | ||
| Kate Nevens | Equalities and International Development | 2026–present | ||
Current Conservative shadow cabinet
| Second Findlay Shadow Cabinet | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Minister
Constituency |
Portfolio | Term | |
| Shadow Cabinet Secretaries | |||
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Russell Findlay
MSP for West Scotland |
Leader of the Scottish Conservatives | 2024–present |
 |
Rachael Hamilton | Deputy Leader | 2024–present
2026–present |
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Craig Hoy
MSP for Dumfriesshire |
Finance and Social Security | 2024–present |
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Miles Briggs | Health and Care | 2026–present |
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Murdo Fraser | Public Service Reform and Culture | 2026–present |
 |
Liam Kerr | Energy | 2026–present |
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Meghan Gallacher
MSP for Central Scotland |
Education and Equalities | 2026–present |
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Tim Eagle | Housing and Transport | 2026–present |
 |
Stephen Kerr | Justice | 2026–present |
 |
Finlay Carson | Rural Affairs and Environment | 2026–present |
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Alexander Burnett | Local Government | 2026–present |
Liberal Democrat spokespersons
| Portfolio | Officeholder | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Leader | Alex Cole-Hamilton | 2021–present |
| Deputy Leader | Wendy Chamberlain [n 1] | 2021–present |
| Rural Affairs Spokesperson | Andrew Baxter | 2026–present |
| Justice Spokesperson | Yi-Pei Chou Turvey | 2026–present |
| Climate, Environment and Energy Spokesperson | Sanne Dijkstra-Downie | 2026–present |
| Education, Children and Young People | Duncan Dunlop | 2026–present |
| Public Service Reform, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Spokesperson | David Green | 2026–present |
| Health and Care Spokesperson | Adam Harley | 2026–present |
| Housing, Social Security and Local Government Spokesperson | Morven May-MacCalum | 2026–present |
| Economy, Finance and Tourism Spokesperson | Liam McArthur | 2026–present |
| Chief Whip | Willie Rennie | 2026–present |
| Transport Spokesperson |
Previous Conservative 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 |
Previous 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[n 4] | 2019–2021 | |
| Deputy Economy | Alex Rowley | 2020–2021 |
| Parliamentary Business Manager | Rhoda Grant | 2017–2018 |
| Neil Findlay | 2018–2019 | |
| Elaine Smith | 2019–2021 |
See also
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