Richard Leonard reshuffles front bench amid Scottish Labour in-fighting

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has reshuffled his front bench amid in-fighting among the party’s MSPs.

One-time leadership rival and health spokesperson Anas Sarwar and economy, fair work and jobs spokesperson Jackie Baillie have been dropped from the shadow cabinet.

Leonard said his new team would provide “a blend of skills and experience” to turn round the party’s fortunes.

The Scottish Labour leader is taking on the economy brief himself, fellow left-winger Neil Findlay becomes the party’s business manager and Monica Lennon becomes the new shadow health secretary.

Former deputy leader Alex Rowley is the new shadow cabinet secretary for communities and local government. He and Pauline McNeill as the new shadow cabinet secretary for equalities, housing and social security are the only new personnel joining the team.

Unison’s Scottish policy spokesman Dave Watson is also joining the party as a policy development officer.

Leonard said the reshuffle was a response to the SNP’s Sustainable Growth Commission report.

“I have decided to refresh Scottish Labour’s shadow cabinet’s focus so that we are ready to meet the challenge of that new terrain of investment versus cuts, and to focus on unity and the public, not ourselves and internal battles,” he said.

Before the reshuffle was announced Sarwar had already put out a statement claiming he had only found out about it via Twitter.

“It’s a shame that I came to know about this decision through Twitter, while I was leading for Labour in a health debate in the Holyrood chamber,” he said.

Baillie said: “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve and will continue to be a strong advocate for my constituents - and Labour values. I wish Richard Leonard well for the future.”

Deputy leader Lesley Laird MP is to carry out a review of the party’s organisation and operations ahead of the 2021 Scottish Parliament election.