Opposition parties in the Scottish Parliament


Unlike in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, where there is a recognised "Official Opposition" to the government of the day, all parties in the Scottish Parliament that are not in government are technically on the same footing as "opposition parties". With the Scottish National Party currently in government, the Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Labour each form a shadow cabinet composed of Members of the Scottish Parliament and prospective parliamentary candidates. The Scottish Liberal Democrats do not.
Shadow cabinet ministers have a responsibility to shadow an individual government minister or a specific area of government. Other parties have frontbench teams with spokespersons covering multiple areas of government or which are composed of spokespersons from both within and outside the Scottish Parliament.

Conservative shadow cabinets

Previous shadow cabinets

PortfolioOfficeholderTerm
LeaderRuth Davidson2016–2020
Deputy LeaderJackson Carlaw2016–2020
Europe and External AffairsJackson Carlaw2016–2020
Culture and TourismJackson Carlaw2016–2017
Culture and TourismRachael Hamilton2017–2020
FinanceMurdo Fraser2016–2020
Economy, Jobs and Fair WorkDean Lockhart2016–2020
Health and SportDonald Cameron2016–2017
Health and SportMiles Briggs2017–2020
Education and SkillsLiz Smith2016–2020
ConstitutionAdam Tomkins2016–2020
Social SecurityAdam Tomkins2016–2018
Social SecurityMichelle Ballantyne2018–2020
JusticeDouglas Ross2016–2017
JusticeLiam Kerr2017–2020
Rural Economy and ConnectivityPeter Chapman2016–2020
Environment, Climate Change and Land ReformMaurice Golden2016–2017
Environment, Climate Change and Land ReformDonald Cameron2017–2020
Chief WhipJohn Lamont2016–2017
Chief WhipMaurice Golden2017–2020

PortfolioOfficeholderTerm
LeaderDouglas Ross2020–present
Leader in the Scottish ParliamentRuth Davidson2020–2021
Education and SkillsJamie Greene2020–present
JusticeLiam Kerr2020–present
Health and SportDonald Cameron2020–present
FinanceMurdo Fraser2020–present
Environment, Climate Change and Land ReformLiz Smith2020–present
Rural Economy and TourismJamie Halcro Johnston2020–present
Constitution, Europe and External AffairsDean Lockhart2020–present
Communities and Local GovernmentAnnie Wells2020–present
Economy, Fair Work and CultureMaurice Golden2020–present
Transport, Infrastructure and ConnectivityGraham Simpson2020–present
Social Security and Older PeopleRachael Hamilton2020–present
Chief WhipMiles Briggs2020–present

Labour shadow cabinets

Previous shadow cabinets

PortfolioOfficeholderTerm
LeaderKezia Dugdale2015–2016
Deputy LeaderAlex Rowley2015–2016
EqualityJenny Marra2015–2016
OpportunityIain Gray2015–2016
JusticeGraeme Pearson2015–2016
Public Services and Wealth CreationJackie Baillie2015–2016
CommunityKen Macintosh2015–2016
Environmental JusticeSarah Boyack2015–2016
DemocracyClaire Baker2015–2016
ReformMary Fee2015–2016
Parliamentary Business ManagerJames Kelly2015–2016
Chief WhipNeil Bibby2015–2016

PortfolioOfficeholderTerm
LeaderRichard Leonard2017–2021
Deputy LeaderLesley Laird2017–2019
Deputy LeaderJackie Baillie2020–2021
Economy, Jobs and Fair WorkJackie Baillie2017–2018
Economy, Jobs and Fair WorkRichard Leonard2018–2021
FinanceJames Kelly2017–2019
FinanceRhoda Grant2019–2020
FinanceJackie Baillie2020–2021
JusticeDaniel Johnson2017–2019
JusticeJames Kelly2019–2020
JusticeRhoda Grant2020–2021
ConstitutionNeil Findlay2017–2019
ConstitutionAlex Rowley2019–2020
ConstitutionAnas Sarwar2020–2021
Education, Skills and ScienceIain Gray2017–2021
Health and SportAnas Sarwar2017–2018
Health and SportMonica Lennon2018–2021
Environment, Climate Change and Land ReformClaudia Beamish2017–2021
PovertyElaine Smith2017–2019
PovertyDavid Stewart2019–2020
PovertyRhoda Grant2020
PovertyElaine Smith2020–2021
Culture, Tourism and External AffairsClaire Baker2017–2021
Transport, Infrastructure and ConnectivityColin Smyth2017–2021
Communities and EqualitiesMonica Lennon2017–2018
Communities and EqualitiesAlex Rowley2018–2019
Communities and EqualitiesPauline McNeill2019–2021
Local GovernmentSarah Boyack2019–2021
Campaigns and Party EngagementNeil Findlay2017–2019
Campaigns and Party EngagementJoe Cullinane2019–2021
Deputy EconomyAlex Rowley2020–2021
Parliamentary Business ManagerRhoda Grant2017–2018
Parliamentary Business ManagerNeil Findlay2018–2019
Parliamentary Business ManagerElaine Smith2019–2021