THE Scottish Greens have announced their frontbench team, giving key roles to a number of new MSPs.
The Scottish Parliament’s first non-binary MSP, Q Manivannan, has been given the role of culture spokesperson.
Fellow newcomer Holly Bruce was given a role as Scottish Green spokesperson for social justice, while Iris Duane was appointed spokesperson for tertiary education and housing.
Scottish Greens co-leaders Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay will also continue in their posts while Mackay will be spokesperson for constitution, external affairs, public health and sport and Greer will be spokesperson for finance.
The party gained a record number of 15 MSPs at the Holyrood elections in May, which is seven MSPs more than they previously had among their ranks.
Mackay said: “The Scottish Greens have returned to Parliament with more than double the number of MSPs we left with.
“It’s clear that voters rewarded our constructive approach over the last five years, so that’s exactly what we’ll continue doing. Our new team will build on the positive changes already delivered by Green MSPs, like free bus travel for young people and the scrapping of peak rail fares.
“This fantastic group of shadow cabinet secretaries and spokespeople will cooperate with the Scottish Government where there is genuine common ground, push them out of their comfort zone when bolder action is needed and constructively challenge ministers where we believe they’ve made the wrong call.
“Our ultimate objective will always be delivering the progressive changes that people and planet desperately need.”
Previous MSPs have returned with new roles, including Maggie Chapman, who has been appointed spokesperson for justice, while Patrick Harvie has the role of spokesperson for economy, transport and tourism.
Lorna Slater is the new spokesperson for public service reform and group business manager, while Mark Ruskell is spokesperson for climate action and nature.
Ariane Burgess has been given the role of spokesperson for rural affairs, land reform and the marine environment.
Greer said: “The Scottish Greens are ready to deliver for the people of Scotland. For the first time in Holyrood’s history, everyone in our country is represented by at least one Green MSP. We will use this mandate to drive forward progressive policies that cut people’s bills and tackle the climate emergency.
“Greens have already delivered so much for Scotland, like expanding free school meals and establishing the first-ever Nature Restoration Fund. With this talented team, I am excited to see how much more we will deliver over the next five years.”
The party’s spokesperson for health is Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill, while Laura Moodie takes on the education role.
Kristopher Leask is the new spokesperson for energy, local government and the islands; Cara McKee will be spokesperson for community care; and Kate Nevens is spokesperson for equalities and international development.
Scottish Greens frontbench unveiled – see full list
- Gillian Mackay – co-leader and spokesperson for constitution, external affairs, public health and sport
- Ross Greer – co-leader and spokesperson for finance
- Lorna Slater – shadow cabinet secretary for public service reform and group business manager
- Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill – shadow cabinet secretary for health
- Laura Moodie – shadow cabinet secretary for education
- Holly Bruce – shadow cabinet secretary for social justice
- Mark Ruskell – shadow cabinet secretary for climate action and nature
- Maggie Chapman – shadow cabinet secretary for justice
- Patrick Harvie – shadow cabinet secretary for economy, transport and tourism
- Ariane Burgess – spokesperson for rural affairs, land reform and the marine environment
- Kristopher Leask – spokesperson for energy, local government and the islands
- Cara McKee – spokesperson for community care
- Q Manivannan – spokesperson for culture
- Iris Duane – spokesperson for tertiary education and housing
- Kate Nevens – spokesperson for equalities and international development
