Annie Wells promoted as Douglas Ross unveils new shadow cabinet to take 'fight to the SNP'

Douglas Ross has unveiled his new shadow cabinet, promising that his frontbenchers will “drive forward at least 15 bills over the course of this parliamentary term”.

The Scottish Conservative leader has promoted Annie Wells, making her the party’s health spokesperson.

She replaces Donald Cameron, who will be taking on Angus Robertson in his role as constitution secretary.

Oliver Mundell has returned to the frontbench, where he’ll be shadowing the education brief.

Mundell quit last November after he was unable to back the party’s stance on COVID travel restrictions.

Meanwhile, Murdo Fraser will shadow John Swinney's new role as cabinet secretary for COVID recovery.

The party’s former education spokesman Jamie Greene is now shadowing Keith Brown at justice.

Former Tory MP Stephen Kerr is the group’s chief whip and “reserve” for First Minister’s Questions.

Ross said: “Our new team of MSPs is determined to improve the lives of people all over the country by focusing 100 per cent on Scotland’s recovery and tackling the health and economic crisis we face.

“Our shadow cabinet will work constructively with other parties to get things done, but we are equally ready to be a strong opposition and take the fight to the SNP from day one.

“They will drive forward at least 15 bills over the course of this parliamentary term as we start on the road to building Scotland’s real alternative to the SNP.”

The new Scottish Conservative front bench in full: 
Leader – Douglas Ross
Covid Recovery – Murdo Fraser
Finance and Economy – Liz Smith
Education and Skills – Oliver Mundell 
Health and Social Care – Annie Wells
Justice – Jamie Greene 
Net Zero, Energy and Transport – Liam Kerr 
Social Justice, Housing and Local Government – Miles Briggs
Rural Affairs and Islands – Rachael Hamilton
Constitution, External Affairs and Culture – Donald Cameron
Chief Whip and FMQ reserve – Stephen Kerr