THE Scottish Tories have unveiled their new frontbench team after Russell Findlay was elected as party leader – with no role for either of his two predecessors.
Neither Douglas Ross nor Jackson Carlaw were given positions on Findlay’s frontbench team, which also sees a demotion for former party depute leader Meghan Gallacher.
Gallacher resigned her role as Ross’s deputy amid a bitter leadership contest that saw all of the candidates except Findlay raise concerns about their now-former leader’s conduct.
Findlay has appointed Rachael Hamilton, one of his key supporters during that leadership contest, to be his deputy instead.
Craig Hoy, who was the Scottish Tory chairman, has been made the party’s finance and local government spokesperson. He will remain in post as chair until a replacement is found, the party said.
Here's the Scottish Conservative frontbench team in full:
- Leader – Russell Findlay
- Deputy leader – Rachael Hamilton
- Finance and local government spokesperson – Craig Hoy
- Business, economy, tourism and culture spokesperson – Murdo Fraser
- Health and social care spokesperson – Dr Sandesh Gulhane
- Education and skills spokesperson – Miles Briggs
- Net zero and energy spokesperson – Douglas Lumsden
- Justice spokesperson – Liam Kerr
- Social security spokesperson – Liz Smith
- Housing spokesperson – Meghan Gallacher
- Transport spokesperson – Sue Webber
- Rural affairs, land reform and fishing spokesperson – Tim Eagle
- Chief whip – Alexander Burnett
The Tories have also appointed more junior spokespeople, whom they have termed “shadow ministers” in the style of Westminster.
These are:
- Investment and employment spokesperson – Pam Gosal
- Victims and community safety spokesperson – Sharon Dowey
- Public health, social care, mental wellbeing and sport spokesperson – Brian Whittle
- Drugs, alcohol and women’s health spokesperson – Annie Wells
- Local government and public finance spokesperson – Alexander Stewart
- Children and young people spokesperson – Roz McCall
- Equalities spokesperson – Tess White
- Social justice spokesperson – Jeremy Balfour
- Agriculture, connectivity and islands spokesperson – Jamie Halcro Johnston
- Veterans spokesperson – Edward Mountain
Gosal and Dowey will also attend Tory “Cabinet” meetings in their roles as deputy party chair and deputy chief whip respectively, the party said.
Findlay (above) said of his appointments: “Our new shadow cabinet will work hard to earn the trust of the public by telling it straight and only making promises we can keep.
“We are ready to stand up for everyone who feels disillusioned with the state of politics and the fringe obsessions of the Scottish Parliament.
“Moving forward, the Scottish Conservatives will reconnect with common-sense values and put forward a bold vision for the future of our country that champions opportunity, aspiration and decency.”
He added: “We will do things differently and represent everyone who just wants politicians to show some common sense, for a change.”
