First Minister John Swinney pledged that Kate Forbes – who chose not to run in the SNP leadership race – would play a “significant part” in his government.
By Jenness Mitchell, Scotland reporter @Jenster13
New Scottish First Minister John Swinney has unveiled his cabinet – with Kate Forbes taking the top role of deputy.
Mr Swinney was legally sworn in as Scotland’s seventh first minister at the Court of Session in Edinburgh earlier on Wednesday.
Mr Swinney pledged that Ms Forbes – who chose not to run in the SNP leadership race – would play a “significant part” in his government.
Ms Forbes, who served as finance secretary under Nicola Sturgeon, has replaced Shona Robison as second in command.
Ms Robison remains in cabinet, with the new first minister revealing a largely unchanged line-up.
Mr Swinney’s cabinet of 11 – with a majority of women – is as follows:
• Kate Forbes, the youngest-ever deputy first minister, will take on the economy portfolio and responsibility for Gaelic.
• Shona Robison remains in cabinet with responsibility for finance and local government.
• Jenny Gilruth remains cabinet secretary for education and skills.
• Angela Constance remains cabinet secretary for justice and home affairs.
• Mairi McAllan remains in cabinet with responsibility for net zero and energy.
• Fiona Hyslop remains cabinet secretary for transport.
• Neil Gray remains cabinet secretary for health and social care.
• Shirley-Anne Somerville remains cabinet secretary for social justice.
• Angus Robertson remains cabinet secretary for constitution, external affairs and culture.
• Mairi Gougeon remains cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands.
The first minister said he has selected a cabinet team that “blends experience and energy”.
He added: “My overriding priority will be to work to eradicate child poverty in Scotland, an issue on which real progress has been made through measures such as the Scottish Child Payment.
“The government I lead will maximise every lever at our disposal to tackle the scourge of poverty in our country.
“A strong economy supports the delivery of services on which people depend – health, education, housing, and transport – and so each of these areas are aligned to distinct roles in my cabinet, with a focus on ensuring people see their lives improve as a result of the actions of their Scottish government.
“I believe that Scotland’s future is best served as an independent country – but I recognise more people need to be convinced of that before independence can be achieved.
“My cabinet will also focus efforts on reaching out to those who remain unconvinced, with respect and courtesy, to ensure that the people of Scotland have the democratic right to choose their own future.”
Read more:
Who is John Swinney?
Mr Swinney said he was pleased to appoint Ms Forbes as his deputy, describing her as an “immensely talented politician”.
Ms Forbes, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch, said: “I am deeply honoured to accept John’s invitation to be his deputy first minister.
“This is a moment of extraordinary privilege for me. Having previously served in cabinet, I know the duty that all ministers have to reflect the government’s priorities and the missions that drive them.
“I look forward to working with John and cabinet colleagues, delivering for the people of Scotland and building a better country.”
Ms Forbes faced backlash over her religious beliefs during her leadership campaign to succeed Nicola Sturgeon.
She went on to narrowly lose to Mr Yousaf.
Although her views on social issues remain unpopular with some of her MSP colleagues, she was one of the few SNP ministers who did not delete her WhatsApp messages during the COVID pandemic.
Craig Hoy, chairman of the Scottish Conservatives, said Mr Swinney’s team “is simply Humza Yousaf’s cabinet with a different figurehead”.
He added: “This uninspiring cabinet is further evidence that John Swinney as first minister will just mean more of the same.
“His fingerprints are all over the failed SNP policies that have damaged Scotland, while he’s already doubled down on the SNP’s independence obsession, instead of focusing on the public’s real priorities such as fixing our ailing public services and growing the economy.
“When the election comes, voters will have the chance to punish the feuding, failing, distracted SNP and get the focus back on the issues that matter – and, in key seats across Scotland, it’s only the Scottish Conservatives who can beat them.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
