IAN Murray has been appointed Secretary of State for Scotland by Keir Starmer.
The MP for Edinburgh South was re-elected after winning 24,976 votes, beating other candidates by at least three times.
Murray was previously shadow Scotland secretary whilst Labour formed the opposition under the last Conservative government.
Ian Murray MP @IanMurrayMP has been appointed Secretary of State for Scotland @UKGovScotland. pic.twitter.com/tBzOZFUNjT
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 5, 2024
Following his appointment, Murray said: “It is a real privilege to have been asked to serve in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first Cabinet as Secretary of State for Scotland.
“My absolute priority in the role will be to deliver the change and renewal that Scotland needs – to drive economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty.
“As we rebuild our country, I look forward to Scotland standing foursquare with the other UK nations.
“I will make sure that the Scotland Office is a strong voice for Scotland within the UK Government.
“New funding will help tackle poverty in Scotland by creating jobs and unlocking opportunities across the country, especially in our most deprived communities.
“The Scotland Office will lead on promoting ‘Brand Scotland’ around the globe. Selling our world class produce, products and services to the world.
“I am also determined to reset the relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments.
“Focusing on cooperation and joint working will mean we can deliver better results for people in Scotland.”
Murray was one of 37 Scottish Labour MPs to be elected overnight on Thursday, whilst the SNP have won just nine seats.
He was the only MP elected for Scottish Labour in the 2019 General Election, with Michael Shanks joining him last October following the Rutherglen and Hamilton by-election.
Overnight on Thursday, the SNP faced a complete wipeout across the central belt, where Labour beat the party in every seat previously held by the SNP in both Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Murray was pictured celebrating with other Edinburgh Labour candidates before the results had been officially declared.
Upon being declared the winner of Edinburgh South, Murray said the party would “work hard, and with humility, to deliver the trust you placed in us”.
Addressing the crowd, Murray said: “For much of my time as the MP for Edinburgh South, I’ve been Scotland’s sole MP for Labour.
“It’s been sometimes lonely, often hard, but always hopeful that one day Labour’s values will be recognised as Scotland’s values.
“Being the sole Labour MP ends tonight with a bang.
“I can assure you that’s the change Scotland needs, and we certainly won’t let you down. The work starts tomorrow.”
He was met with heckles from pro-Palestine activists who claimed he had “blood on his hands” for his party's position on Gaza.
