Highland MSP Rhoda Grant named in Anas Sarwar's first cabinet after being elected the new Scottish Labour leader
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The newly elected leader of the Scottish Labour party Anas Sarwar has unveiled a campaign cabinet to lead the party into the forthcoming election.
The front bench team sees Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant move to rural economy where she will face-off against fellow Highland member Fergus Ewing. Previously, she was the opposite number to yet another north MSP, Kate Forbes, when she was Labour’s finance spokeswoman.
Mr Sarwar has moved fast to appoint MSPs and party candidates to key posts, reflecting that there are less than ten weeks until voters are scheduled to go to the polls.
Straight back into the cabinet will be Mr Sarwar’s challenger for the leadership, Monica Lennon, who takes up the role of economy and fair work spokesperson.
This will be a key role when Scotland goes to the polls in May as the party has staked out an election campaign based on the issues of protecting and creating jobs.
Another major player, who has come to greater prominence in recent months, particularly for assured performances at the Salmond inquiry, is deputy leader Jackie Baillie who will be spokeswoman for health and social care.
Fleshing out the list, Mr Sarwar has also added spokespeople for vital areas who are as yet not MSPs.
They include Michael Marra who hopes to replace his sister, Jenny Marra, as the north east MSP – he will take over as education spokesman while and the social security spokeswoman will be Glasgow candidate Pam Duncan-Glancy.
Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and Scottish Labour group chair Mark Griffin will both attend the campaign cabinet.
Mr Sarwar has also made additional appointments, including Claudia Beamish, who has been named as COP26 spokeswoman to lead the party’s engagement with environmental groups and other organisations in the run-up to November’s vital summit in Glasgow.
“We are only weeks away from the Holyrood election and we have built a team from both the Parliament and our wider movement for our Campaign Cabinet," Mr 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.
"We will focus on what unites our country – not what divides it – because by working together we can build a better future for Scotland.”
