New Kirkcaldy MP Lesley Laird appointed Shadow Scottish Secretary
Scottish Labour - Scottish Labour
Newly elected Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP Lesley Laird has been appointed to Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland.
Former deputy leader of Fife Council, Laird won the seat formerly held by Gordon Brown back from the SNP at the general election as one of six new Scottish Labour MPs.
Her appointment forms part of a reshuffle which saw Corbyn's once leadership rival Owen Smith make a return to the front bench as Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary.
Laird replaces Dave Anderson, who stood down from politics at the election. The post was previously held by Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray, who stepped down during the failed coup on Corbyn's leadership by the parliamentary party last year.
Laird said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to this role by Jeremy.
“My priorities are the things that people told me are important to them in the General Election campaign: that’s jobs, housing and public services.
“I look forward to working closely with Jeremy and Kez as Labour unites to take on the Tories, and I will be holding David Mundell to account for the actions of his government which is causing misery right across Scotland.”
Corbyn said: “I am delighted to appoint Lesley as Shadow Scottish Secretary. She brings a wealth of knowledge and practical real life experience to the Commons, and will play a major role going forward as we hold the Tory Government to account.
“She will work closely with me and Kez Dugdale as we present a positive Labour vision for Scotland’s future.”
Scottish Labour leader Dudgale said: “I know that she will do a fantastic job holding this miserable Tory government to account.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the work that Dave Anderson and Ian Murray did in the last parliament as Shadow Scottish Secretaries. They helped to rebuild our party, and we now have seven Scottish Labour MPs who will do a remarkable job in the Commons.”
Laird is a member of the trade union Unison.
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