Conservatives announce interim and deputy leaders in reshuffle

The Scottish Conservatives have announced a cabinet reshuffle, with Jackson Carlaw taking on the role of interim leader following Ruth Davidson’s resignation.

Shadow justice minister Liam Kerr was named deputy leader while Kristine Hair and Miles Briggs each took on the role of vice-chair, under Robert Forman MBE WS.

Ruth Davidson now sits on the Parliamentary corporate body.

Scottish Conservatives interim leader Jackson Carlaw said: “Ruth’s departure of course necessitated some immediate changes.

“But it also presents an opportunity to bring forward Generation Ruth – people who were persuaded to get into politics because of her leadership.

“This move demonstrates the breadth of talent and experience within the Scottish Conservative team.

“Now the focus of not just the shadow cabinet but the whole Scottish Conservative group will be to continue to hold the SNP to account in Holyrood, and fight tooth and nail for Scotland’s place in the UK.”

The full list of shadow cabinet ministers and spokespeople is as follows:

Interim Leader – Jackson Carlaw MSP

Deputy Leader and Shadow Cabinet Secretary Justice – Liam Kerr MSP

Community Safety and Veterans Affairs – Maurice Corry MSP

Chief Whip, Shadow Cabinet Secretary Climate Change, Environment, Land Reform  - Maurice Golden MSP

Shadow Cabinet Secretary Finance – Murdo Fraser MSP

Taxation – Bill Bowman MSP
Financial Sustainability – Tom Mason MSP

Shadow Cabinet Secretary Education and Skills – Liz Smith MSP

Further Education, Higher Education and Science – Oliver Mundell MSP
Children and Young People – Alison Harris MSP

Shadow Cabinet Secretary Europe and External Affairs – Donald Cameron MSP

Shadow Cabinet Secretary Constitutional Relations – Adam Tomkins MSP

Shadow Cabinet Secretary Economy, Jobs and Fair Work – Dean Lockhart MSP

Business, Innovation and Energy, Deputy Chief Whip – Alexander Burnett MSP
Jobs, Employability and Skills – Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP

Trade, Investment and Legal Affairs – Gordon Lindhurst MSP

Shadow Cabinet Secretary Health and Sport – Miles Briggs MSP

Mental Health, Public Health and Equalities – Annie Wells MSP
Sport and Wellbeing – Brian Whittle MSP

Shadow Cabinet Secretary Culture and Tourism – Rachael Hamilton MSP

Shadow Cabinet Secretary Communities & Social Security – Michelle Ballantyne MSP

Welfare, Disability and Older People – Jeremy Balfour MSP 
Housing and Planning – Graham Simpson MSP
Local Government, International Development and Migration – Alexander Stewart MSP

Shadow Cabinet Secretary Rural Economy – Peter Chapman MSP

Rural Affairs and the Islands – Edward Mountain MSP

Natural Environment and the Digital Economy – Finlay Carson MSP

Shadow Cabinet Secretary Transport, Infrastructure & Connectivity – Jamie Greene MSP

Vice Chairmen of the Scottish Conservative Party – Kirstene Hair MP and Miles Briggs MSP

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body – Ruth Davidson MS