Scottish Greens confirm frontbench team

The Scottish Green Party has announced its frontbench team, following its record result in the election last month.

Co-leader Ross Greer retains control of the finance brief, meaning he’ll be opposite finance secretary Jenny Gilruth.

Meanwhile, the other co-leader Gillian Mackay has taken on responsibility for the constitution – part of First Minister John Swinney’s brief – but has then opted for the public health and sport portfolio, which is not a cabinet-level position.

New MSP Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill will instead take on the position of shadow health secretary.

Other new MSPs shadowing cabinet secretaries are Laura Moodie, who takes on education, and Holly Bruce, who has been named the new social justice spokesperson.

Mark Ruskell keeps his climate action portfolio, Maggie Chapman is the justice spokesperson, and former co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie take on public service reform and the economy respectively.

Making the announcement, Mackay said: “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.”

The other six MSPs in the 15-strong group have also been given responsibility for portfolios under the purview of junior ministers.

Kristopher Leask is on energy, Cara McKee on community care, Q Manivannan on culture, Iris Duane on tertiary education and housing, and Kate Nevens on equalities and international development.

Ariane Burgess has been given responsibility for rural affairs. This sits with cabinet secretary Gillian Martin within government, but Burgess has not been named as part of the shadow cabinet team for the Greens.

Swinney appointed his cabinet and junior ministerial team two weeks ago.

The following day, Reform – which is the joint second largest party alongside Scottish Labour – announced its own frontbench team, while Labour confirmed its top team the following week.

The Scottish Conservatives also undertook a small reshuffle last month.

The Lib Dems are still to confirm their own top team.