Anas Sarwar reshuffles Scottish Labour frontbench

Anas Sarwar has reshuffled Scottish Labour’s frontbench after being elected as the party’s new leader on Saturday.

Leadership rival Monica Lennon takes a top spot, becoming the party’s new economy and fair work spokesperson, while deputy leader Jackie Baillie takes on the health and social care portfolio.

Daniel Johnson is the new finance spokesperson and Neil Bibby is the justice spokesperson.

Two non-MSPs have also been promoted to the shadow cabinet.

North East candidate Michael Marra is the education spokesperson and Glasgow candidate Pam Duncan-Glancy takes on social security.

Dubbing it a “campaign cabinet”, Sarwar said: “I am determined to bring our party together and harness all our talent, so that together we lead Scottish Labour into this contest with a firm focus on rebuilding our country.

“In the coming weeks we will outline our vision for Scotland, with an NHS restart plan, a catch-up plan for our children, and a real vision for jobs – for now, and for the future.”

The remaining frontbench roles are:

• Sarah Boyack – environment and climate change spokesperson
• Pauline McNeill – communities and local government spokesperson
• Colin Smyth – constitution spokesperson
• Claire Baker – culture spokesperson
• Rhoda Grant – rural economy spokesperson
• Alex Rowley – transport and infrastructure spokesperson
• James Kelly – drugs spokesperson and business manager

Ian Murray MP retains his role as shadow Scottish secretary, while Mark Griffin is the chair of the parliamentary group (as well as business spokesperson). Both will attend cabinet meetings.

Claudia Beamish will act as COP26 spokesperson for the party in the run-up to the UN climate summit in November.

And the following candidates have been chosen as spokespeople for the remaining ministerial portfolios:

• John Erskine – energy, connectivity and the islands       
• Martin Whitfield – children and young people         
• Paul O’Kane – further education, higher education and science             
• Monique McAdams – public health and sport 
• Katy Clark – international development         
• Paul Sweeney – trade, innovation and public finance      
• Carol Mochan – mental health and older people