LESS than a week after taking on the role of Scottish Conservative leader, Douglas Ross has announced the make-up of his new shadow cabinet.
The move includes demotions for both Annie Wells and Liam Kerr, as there will not be any deputy leader positions.
The two had both previously been spoken about as possible future replacements for former leader Jackson Carlaw, who is conspicuous in his absence from the list.
However, Kerr will remain in his role as shadow cabinet secretary for justice, while Wells moves from being shadow secretary for climate change, environment and land reform to being the shadow secretary for communities and local government.
Ruth Davidson will return to lead the Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP group, less than a year after she gave up leading that same group.
READ MORE: Douglas Ross says indyref2 should be a 'non-issue' at Holyrood elections
Murdo Fraser MSP has been moved off his role as shadow secretary for the constitution, and is returned to the shadow finance secretary position he held under Ruth Davidson.
Delighted to be back leading on Finance for @ScotTories. Will miss my jousts with @Feorlean but look forward to shadowing @KateForbesMSP once more.
— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) August 11, 2020
First-term MSP Dean Lockhart will now take the role of shadow cabinet secretary for the constitution, Europe and external affairs in a move which may be seen as part of Ross's pledge to make the constitution a "non-issue" in the upcoming Holyrood elections.
The complete make-up of the Tory shadow cabinet is now:
Ruth Davidson - Leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Group
Jamie Greene MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
Liam Kerr MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice
Donald Cameron MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport
Murdo Fraser MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance
Liz Smith MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform
Oliver Mundell MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism
Delighted to be appointed @ScotTories Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy & Tourism - we are the voice of our forgotten agricultural communities and our world leading tourism industry. Having proudly represented Dumfriesshire farmers, I am ready for the hard work ahead pic.twitter.com/DzZ9jazwab
— Oliver Mundell MSP (@olivermundell) August 11, 2020
Dean Lockhart MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs
Annie Wells MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government
Maurice Golden MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture
Graham Simpson MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity
Rachael Hamilton MSP – Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People
Miles Briggs MSP – Scottish Conservative Chief Whip
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