Stephen Kerr announced as new Tory education spokesman

Stephen Kerr has been announced as the Scottish Conservatives’ new education spokesperson.

He takes over from Oliver Mundell, who resigned from the party’s frontbench earlier this month for personal reasons.

Alexander Burnett is replacing Kerr as chief whip, having previously been his deputy.

Leader Douglas Ross welcomed them to their new positions. He said: “I was naturally disappointed when Oliver stepped down from the Shadow Cabinet but I know Stephen has the experience and drive to hit the ground running as the party’s new shadow education secretary and build on Oliver’s fine work.

“Alexander has already provided superb support to our whips office and I know he will be a strong chief whip as he makes the step up from deputy.”

Kerr was elected to the Scottish Parliament last year as a list MSP for the central Scotland region.

He was chair of Holyrood’s education committee between June 2021 and May 2022.

He said: “During their 15 years in charge the SNP have repeatedly let down pupils, parents and teachers, despite Nicola Sturgeon’s insistence that education was her top priority. I will ensure that they answer for the decline in Scotland’s global reputation in education and their failure to close the attainment gap.”

Burnett was elected in 2016 and is the MSP for Aberdeenshire West.

He was previously to party’s spokesperson on Europe, culture and international development before becoming deputy chief whip in May this year.

Earlier today, Tory MSP Edward Mountain became the convener of Holyrood's Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee.

This post was previously held by Dean Lockhart, who stood down as an MSP at the end of August.