Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale to announce frontbench team
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale announces new frontbench team
(about 3 hours later)
The new leader of the Scottish Labour Party Kezia Dugdale is due to announce her frontbench team.
New Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has made just one change to the party's frontbench team at Holyrood.
She is expected to retain most of the current line up, including her rival in the leadership contest, Ken Macintosh.
Hugh Henry has stood down as justice spokesman and has been replaced by Graeme Pearson.
The new team, which will be gender balanced, will see a move away from shadowing government ministers' portfolios.
Ms Dugdale revealed the line-up in Edinburgh, just days after she secured the leadership of the party.
Ms Dugdale will announce 10 appointments during a visit to the Punjabi Junction Cafe in Edinburgh.
Her rival for the top post, Ken Macintosh, has been given the community spokesman role, covering housing, local government and planning.
The party's justice spokesman, Hugh Henry, will step down from his role.
She has also maintained a gender-balanced team, with five women joining her, alongside six men.
MSPs Jenny Marra, Iain Gray and Jackie Baillie are expected to remain in key roles. But in some cases, job titles and responsibilities will expand.
Ms Dugdale said: "I am excited about the future. We all know the big task that faces Scottish Labour in the months and years ahead, but we're up for it. My new team has a good mix of experience and vision to start the task of renewing Scottish Labour.
Appointments will include spokespeople for equality, with a remit including health and welfare, opportunity - taking in schools and childcare - and justice, covering justice and policing.
"The most important goal of any party must be to ensure that the life chances of our young people are determined by their potential, work rate and ambition, not by their background. These values will drive my team in every portfolio."
'Shake things up'
Ms Dugdale succeeded former MP Jim Murphy, who resigned in June after Labour lost 40 of its 41 Scottish seats at Westminster.
A public services and wealth creation spokesperson will be appointed to speak on areas including finance, infrastructure, business and delivery of public services, while a community spokesperson will cover housing and local government.
Scottish Labour's new front bench team
Ms Dugdale and new deputy Alex Rowley will also be joined by an environmental justice spokesperson, a democracy spokesperson - covering the constitution and Europe - and a reform spokesperson, covering party and parliamentary reform.
Leader - Kezia Dugdale
A business manager and chief whip complete the team.
Deputy Leader - Alex Rowley
Ms Dugdale said: "The role of my frontbench team will be to communicate Labour values. Too often people tell us they don't know what Labour stands for.
Covering policy and strategy
"Under my leadership there will be no doubt about what we stand for and who we stand with. The job titles of my frontbench team are part of that."
Equality spokeswoman - Jenny Marra
She added: "The idea of simply shadowing government ministers is outdated. Of course we must hold the SNP government to account for its failings on schools, our NHS and policing - and we will do that.
Covering health, equalities, welfare, care and social inclusion
"But I want to shake things up and have a fresh start. We need to be out and about across Scotland.
Opportunity spokesman - Iain Gray
"The key focus of every single member of my frontbench team will be setting out a positive Labour vision of transforming Scotland."
