New SNP Westminster parliamentary team unveiled

The new parliamentary session sees a new team in place at Westminster, throwing new members in at the deep end by giving them portfolios or making them spokespersons, and changing those of longer serving MPs to widen their experience and areas of expertise, in readiness for a strong showing as the opposition, and for an independent government in Scotland.

Some sparky exchanges, fireworks even, can be looked for between Alister Jack, Scottish Secretary, and the new Shadow Scottish Secretary Mhairi Black. That should keep some on the non-SNP benches in their seats and awake. As well as remaining Deputy Leader Kirsty Blackman is taking on a constitution role in preparation for an independence referendum. This brings to mind the additional constitutional remit taken on by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in 2012 of overseeing an independence referendum. Whilst, unlike with Sturgeon, this move probably won’t see Blackman in charge of the SNP’s referendum campaign, it is a sign of the party’s gearing up for a constitutional battle and the promised referendum this year.

The new SNP lineup is –

Leader – Ian Blackford MP

Deputy Leader (also taking on a key strategic role leading on the constitution in preparation for indyref2) – Kirsty Blackman MP

Chief Whip – Patrick Grady MP

Shadow Chancellor – Alison Thewliss MP

Shadow Foreign Secretary – Alyn Smith MP

Shadow Home Secretary and Justice Secretary – Joanna Cherry QC MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, and for Health and Social Care – Dr Philippa Whitford MP 

Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade – Stewart Hosie MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy – Drew Hendry MP

Shadow Defence Secretary – Stewart McDonald MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland – Mhairi Black MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Wales – Kirsten Oswald MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government – David Linden MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport – John Nicolson MP

Shadow Attorney General and Shadow Minister for Immigration – Stuart McDonald MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Transport – Gavin Newlands MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Education, and Shadow Minister for Military Personnel and Veterans – Carol Monaghan MP

Shadow Secretary of State for International Development – Chris Law MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – Deidre Brock MP

Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office – Pete Wishart MP

Shadow Leader of the House of Commons – Tommy Sheppard MP

Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities – Anne McLaughlin MP

Shadow Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change – Alan Brown MP 

Shadow Minister for Defence Procurement – Angela Crawley MP

Defence and Foreign Affairs team member  – Martin Docherty-Hughes MP

Foreign Affairs and DFID team member – Hannah Bardell MP

Foreign Affairs team member – Allan Dorans MP

Trade team member – Angus Brendan McNeil MP

Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury – Peter Grant MP

Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury – Stephen Flynn MP

Infrastructure spokesperson – Ronnie Cowan MP

Small business & Innovation spokesperson – Douglas Chapman MP

Consumer Affairs spokesperson – Patricia Gibson MP

Industries Future/Blockchain spokesperson – Martin Docherty-Hughes MP

Business & Industry spokesperson – Richard Thomson MP

Manufacturing spokesperson – Margaret Ferrier MP

Work, Pensions & Inclusion spokesperson – Kirsten Oswald MP

Pensions & Inter-generational spokesperson – Amy Callaghan MP

Fair Work & Employment spokesperson – Chris Stephens MP

Inclusive Society spokesperson – Brendan O’Hara MP

Disabilities spokesperson – Marion Fellows MP

Mental Health spokesperson – Dr Lisa Cameron MP

Public health & primary care spokesperson – Martyn Day MP

Justice team member – Kenny MacAskill MP  

Environment spokesperson – John McNally MP

Agriculture and rural affairs spokesperson – Dave Doogan MP

Defra team member – Stevan Bonnar MP

Deputy Whip – Owen Thompson MP

Deputy Whip – Marion Fellows MP

Parliamentary Private Secretary to Ian Blackford MP – Martin Docherty-Hughes MP