21 September 2007
The role of shadowing Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney has been split between two MSPs in the shadow Cabinet appointed this week by the new Labour leader, Wendy Alexander.
Alexander, who has been confirmed as the successor to Jack McConnell, announced details of a shadow Cabinet of five women and two men.
Swinney's huge brief as secretary for finance and sustainable growth includes the economy, the Scottish budget, public service reform, local government, transport, energy and tourism.
Alexander has appointed Iain Gray, a former enterprise minister, as Labour's spokesman covering the general remit of finance and sustainable growth.
Meanwhile Andy Kerr, the minister for health in the outgoing Labour-Liberal Democrat administration, will take on responsibility for public services, including local government.
Alongside Alexander are: Margaret Curran, who takes on health; Rhona Brankin (education); Pauline McNeill (justice); and Sarah Boyack (rural affairs and the environment).
But former finance and public service reform minister Tom McCabe has not been given a job in Alexander's shadow Cabinet.
Instead, he has been nominated as Labour's member on the Scottish Parliament's corporate body, which is responsible for the general management and administration of the legislature.
Alexander said: 'The new Labour team reflects the breadth of experience in our ranks at Holyrood. The team will hold the Scottish National Party's minority administration to account and simultaneously reflect the real priorities of the people of Scotland.'
PFsep2007
