Well, my predictions – as ever – were pretty wide of the mark. Â First Minister Alex Salmond announced his Cabinet yesterday and his ministerial team this afternoon. Â They are:

The Scottish Cabinet line up in an unorthodox 4-3-2 formation
First Minister: Alex Salmond MSP
Deputy First Minister & Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy: Nicola Sturgeon MSP
Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport: Shona Robison MSP
Minister for Public Health: Michael Matheson MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth: John Swinney MSP
Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism: Fergus Ewing MSP
Minister for Local Government and Planning: Aileen Campbell MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning: Michael Russell MSP
Minister for Children and Young People: Angela Constance MSP
Minister for Learning and Skills (with responsibility for Gaelic & Scots): Alasdair Allan MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Parliamentary Business and Government Strategy: Bruce Crawford MSP
Minister for Parliamentary Business and Chief Whip: Brian Adam MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Justice: Kenny MacAskill MSP
Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs
(with responsibility for tackling sectarianism): Roseanna Cunningham MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment: Richard Lochhead MSP
Minister for Environment and Climate Change: Stewart Stevenson MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs: Fiona Hyslop MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Alex Neil MSP
Minister for Housing and Transport: Keith Brown MSP
Law Officers
Lord Advocate: Frank Mulholland
Solicitor General: Lesley Thomson
Initial thoughts are… well, that I was quite wrong with my thinking as to how it would be constituted. Â There is, for example, no Cabinet Secretary (or Minister) for the Constitution. Â None of the new faces to Parliament have made it into the team – which is probably not that much of a surprise, and perhaps I was being a little bit ambitious with some of my thinking there. Â I still maintain that Derek Mackay and Aileen McLeod would have been excellent additions to the team – perhaps we’ll see them in prominent roles later in the (five year) term or in Committee roles when they are handed out.
There are new faces in the team though – Michael Matheson joins the Health team, which I did get right, though he switches roles with Shona Robison. Â Alasdair Allan takes over as Minister for Learning & Skills (which although I didn’t predict, I did suggest he should be considered and I’m delighted he has been promoted!). Â And Aileen Campbell, another who I considered, has gotten the nod to be Minister for Local Government & Planning. Â That’s a tough brief – and I look forward to seeing how she tackles it. Â Finally, last term’s chief whip Brian Adam continues that role alongside being Minister for Parliamentary Business, under Bruce Crawford – who got promoted to Cabinet Secretary for the same.
Its a proper reshuffle too – with some shifting around of ministers (Fergus Ewing takes on Jim Mather’s old job, Roseanna Cunningham moves to his old brief, and Stewart Stevenson returns to take on the Environment & Climate Change brief while Angela Constance takes on Adam Ingram’s post as Minister for Children & Young People – he’s the only minister moved out of the team in this shuffle. Â Keith Brown adds Housing to his Transport brief after Alex Neil steps up to Cabinet level as Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment and there’s even a change in the law offices.
This is Salmond’s “Team Scotland”. Â What do we think of it?
Update:
I see Labour have announced their shadow Cabinet (which is presumably temporary while Iain Gray is still LOLITSP):
Leader: Iain Gray
Health: Jackie Baillie
Finance: Richard Baker
Education: Malcolm Chisholm
Parliamentary Business: Paul Martin
Justice: Johann Lamont
Rural Affairs & Environment: Sarah Boyack
Culture & External Affairs: Ken Macintosh
Infrastructure & Capital Investment: Lewis Macdonald
Chief Whip: John Park
Thoughts?
#1 by Doug Daniel on May 20, 2011 - 3:04 pm
Well, I think we all knew the team would remain pretty static, since their strength was one of the selling points in the eleciton, plus it was just very difficult to see who or why any of them would be moved, which perhaps illustrates the whole point of the “record, team, vision” message. I had hoped we’d get a few new faces though, in some of the new ideas for briefs you came up with. On reflection, it’s probably fair enough that there’s no place for Aileen McLeod as Europe minister since the government doesn’t really have much say in EU matters, for example.
But looking ahead at the kind of powers Salmond wants in the Scotland Bill, you can see what new roles might emerge. More say in the EU would see a gap for a Europe minister. Broadcasting rights could either become part of the culture brief, or it could lead to a new ministerial role. Power over the crown estate would probably come under Fergus Ewing’s brief, or it may lead to a separate minister for energy.
Anyway, bit disappointed there’s not more new faces, but only from a political geekery perspective. THey did well last time, they’ll continue to do well this time, hopefully.
#2 by Jeff on May 20, 2011 - 3:05 pm
The Labour appointment that jumps out for me, and will no doubt attract the most opprobrium, is Richard Baker at Finance. Looking past the mocking that RB comes in for (some of it valid in my view), Richard is help up as a sharp talent and no mug according to those who should be in the know. At Justice, particularly with Megrahi, there were too many bunfights and that probably comes with the territory (witness Ken Clarke) so I think Baker would be my ‘one to watch’ and he deserves a wiping of the slate clean in probably the moist important brief in the Shadow Cabinet.
And yes, a disappointing lack of shocks in there Malc, but it makes sense to keep the same team I suppose.
#3 by Malc on May 20, 2011 - 3:12 pm
I’ll say this for Richard Baker – he’s put his hand up to take on John Swinney, and that’s brave. Andy Kerr was, in my view, a much more experienced and shrewd political operator than Baker, and Swinney pretty much walked all over him. Baker had a tough time at Justice shadowing Kenny MacAskill, who (in my view) also gave him a bit of a doing. So its a brave move there.
But it also has all the hallmarks of a temporary move. Sure, if it works well, the new leader might keep him there. But if it goes badly – well, it was just a temporary fix until the new team took over in the autumn. Saying that – who else are they going to get to do it?!
#4 by andrea on May 20, 2011 - 10:17 pm
“But it also has all the hallmarks of a temporary move. Sure, if it works well, the new leader might keep him there. ”
what I was wondering is the potential impact of Baker’s move to him running for the leadership or not.
Getting a bigger portfolio can raise a candidate’s profile ahead of a leadership contest.
However getting a big portfolio can also show how much crap a candidate can be ahead of the leadership contest.
#5 by Doug Daniel on May 20, 2011 - 3:37 pm
Oh yeah, I forgot to put in my twa bob about that…
I’d love to know who these people in the know are, Jeff, because Richard certainly did a great job of concealing any sharpness last term. On several occasions he got egg all over his face at FMQs, and he was abysmal trying to defend his party’s stance on Megrahi on Newsnicht. Whereas Ken Clarke’s recent trouble was due to a slip of the tongue in the heat of the moment, Baker regularly simply got his facts completely wrong. Maybe he’s just a very bad performer in the chamber and in the media, but any nous this guy has is very, very well hidden.
I’m prepared to be proven wrong, but I’ve already geared myself up for a good laugh the first time he tries to take Swinney on. Good to see Chisholm back in, though.
#6 by Kabies on May 20, 2011 - 3:30 pm
I love your predictions! I was wrong as well though, I thought there would be an energy & climate change minister as well as a clearer constitutional post. But all in all a good team and I think those new faces are a safe pair of hands, not an easy job for them coming in but they are all more than capable of handling it.
Not too many surprises and, like others, from a political geek perspective I’m disappointed but from a practical point of view I’d Salm’s got it spot on.
Labour spokespeople are interesting with two of their favourites for leader in prominent roles clearly marking it as a temporary measure.
#7 by douglas clark on May 20, 2011 - 3:48 pm
Just to say, who is the Minister remitted to deliver us independence? As far as i am concerned that is the most important brief going.
#8 by Malc on May 20, 2011 - 3:56 pm
There isn’t one at the moment – I suspect the Scotland Bill stuff will be run out of the FM’s office, with Salmond himself taking on the responsibility, which is in fact a shrewd move. I do think we’ll see a Minister for the Constitution at some point after the middle of the term though.
#9 by oldchap on May 20, 2011 - 3:59 pm
According to the release on the Scottish Government, Eck himself is responsible for constitutional affairs.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/05/19155402
I guess one could look at it both ways – it’s either so important that the FM does it, or not important enough to warrant a separate brief. I’d lean toward the first. If anyone was to lead a successful campaign on independence surely it’d be Salmond.
#10 by Malc on May 20, 2011 - 4:02 pm
Yeah – that’s what I’d figured.
#11 by Indy on May 20, 2011 - 5:49 pm
Alex
#12 by Dubbieside on May 20, 2011 - 3:52 pm
No great surprises in the SNP team, if its not broken do not fix it.
Maybe now that the new cabinet has been elected we can let them get on with the job they were given an overwhelming mandate to do.
Lets talk about uncosted election pledges if they happen, not now before the work has even begun.
Richard Baker Oh my god, could he reach ten with mittens on?
#13 by douglas clark on May 20, 2011 - 4:03 pm
Thanks guys. I am quite happy that Alex Salmond sees it as his own brief.
#14 by Top Tory Aide on May 20, 2011 - 4:27 pm
Richard Baker is absolutely pap. Hilarious that anyone can even try and defend him. He was wildly out of his depth as justice yet gets promoted to Finance? Bloody hell.
#15 by CassiusClaymore on May 20, 2011 - 4:37 pm
Wow. If Baker can be shadow Finance Secretary, perhaps Gordon Brown should be head of the IMF…..
Joking apart, RB gets talked about in harsh terms by people who haven’t met him. I have met him, briefly, and he seems like a nice enough lad, albeit one with no earthly knowledge of business. He may be a bit politically naive, but I suspect that he is intellectually superior to Andy Kerr (which is perhaps not saying much).
I think the problem with his appointment is that he’s your archtypal new Labourite – student pol/researcher/MSP – who’s never had a job. He’s had his hand in the taxpayer’s pocket his entire life. Forgive me if I say that the Finance brief should be held by someone who’s actually cut it in the business world. Business people won’t take him seriously at all.
Credit to the Tories for appointing Gavin Brown to the brief – someone who has held positions on merit in the private sector and has run his own business. He proves that a young MSP can have some credibility.
CC
#16 by John Ruddy on May 22, 2011 - 3:27 pm
“Forgive me if I say that the Finance brief should be held by someone who’s actually cut it in the business world.”
From wikipedia:
“Swinney was a research officer for the Scottish Coal Project (1987–1988), a senior management consultant with Development Options (1988–1992), and a strategic planning principal with Scottish Amicable (1992–1997).”
I dont think you can say that Swinney has actually ‘cut it’ in the business world there, yet I’m sure most people would agree that he has handled himself well in the Finance role.
#17 by James on May 22, 2011 - 3:54 pm
This is the sort of reasoned defence I really appreciate.
#18 by Gryff on May 20, 2011 - 6:09 pm
I’d say that in a very real way Independence and the constitution will be everyone’s brief. Expect to see lots of action from Swinney and Neil on the Scotland bill, and later on financial aspects of independence; expect to see a tag team between Stevenson and FM on Renewables and the Saudi Arabia of wind and water; and finally expect to see all of them putting in their twa bob whenever they get the chance!
#19 by Tony on May 20, 2011 - 7:08 pm
Ken McIntosh in culture is dissapointing, his dismissive and cringeworthy attacks on the SNP’s promotion of Gaelic last term was unworthy of any Scot.
#20 by Gaz on May 20, 2011 - 9:46 pm
Sorry to see Adam Ingram go beacuse he was undoubtedly the unsung hero of the last government team. Never flashy but highly effective and there will be a lot of sadness amongst those he worked with tonight.
On the positive side, Angela Constance has proven her ability as a minister and with her background and style she might be able to make a big splash building on Adam’s work.
Glad to see Stewart Stevenson back. He is very capable and was very badly treated after what was a single (although admittedly big) mistake.
No surprise to see Alastair Allan and Michael Matheson promoted and I’m sure both will do well. Aileen Campbell is a surprise and what a baptism of fire the Local Government portfolio could be. It will be interesting to watch her progress.
Alex Neil’s promotion to Cabinet with a new portfolio looks a good move. But I just don’t get the elevation of two Ministers to Cabinet status with the same portfolio as before – that seems like mlking it a bit however much they may deserve a promotion.
#21 by Bill Pickford on May 21, 2011 - 2:17 pm
I agree, Gaz – I know Adam and I believe he’s been hard done by.
He was instrumental in getting funding for various youth projects in his area, and getting compensation when swathes of his constituency was left sans water at New Year.
He was absolutely tireless (despite difficult personal circumstances) during the election campaign, achieving the 3rd highest swing, 11.8%, on the night, and taking a seat which had been earmarked for a future leader of the LPiS.
And his reward is to be dropped?
Shameful, in my opinion – Salmond expects loyalty but doesn’t reciprocate.
(Of course, Adam was a fundamentalist…)
#22 by Alexander Belic on May 20, 2011 - 10:27 pm
I would think that 4 years of negotiations with the other parties to get as much as possible through the last parliament would make Bruce Crawford a good guy to have in your corner for negotiations with Westminster regarding the Scotland Bill etc.
#23 by Scottish republic on May 21, 2011 - 1:48 am
A largely tried and tested Scottish cabinet and a largely tired and bested Labour Shadow cabinet.
It’s comical that Baker is up against Swinney. At his best Baker is a bit of a noisy schoolboy whom voters see through as being opportunistic and insincere.
His £500, 000, 000 knife crime calamity (to be fair n ot just his) goes into the history books of electioneering fy the brazin damaged.
Mr. £500, 000, 000, one hopes next time he actually does a wee bit of research before spouting drivel in parliament.
#24 by Shuna on May 21, 2011 - 2:21 am
In defence of Richard Baker – I have met him on a few occasions now and he is a nice guy. Most recently he took the time to give my dad and daughter a tour of the parly. He is far more astute that many give him credit for.
One to watch rather than disparage – IMHO.
Pingback: Bookmarks for May 20th through May 21st | Set In Darkness
#25 by Mark on May 21, 2011 - 11:09 pm
Fergus Ewing is a bizarre choice for energy as he has a strong record of opposition to wind farms and would be far more happy with the 2007 manifesto position of a moratorium on onshore wind. If SNP is to deliver on the 100% electricity target they are going to need to up the delivery on onshore wind in the next five years, which is where Ewing is going to struggle. He also has a decision on Beauly Denny to take. This was deferred for 60 days prior to the election but the time is up now and as Bruce Crawford said during the campaign this will be the Minister’s decision alone. Mather and Salmond were a highly effective team on renewables in the last session. Although limited in what actions they could take they showcased Scotland well to investors and matched the pace of private sector delivery by increasing targets. It’s going to be interesting to see how much Salmond will be fronting such a central part of the SNP’s green growth agenda or whether with Ewing in place we will see more of a return to 2007 manifesto thinking. He needs to be careful with Lewis Macdonald and Sarah Boyack as an experienced main opposition alongside Liam MacArthur and Patrick Harvie ready to exploit contradictions and weaknesses.
#26 by James on May 21, 2011 - 11:16 pm
Also, Stevenson back on climate change? ORLY?
#27 by Mark on May 22, 2011 - 12:24 am
Pretty strange as well, he made some big and small gaffs and not just on the weather. There was a repeated screw up for example on the planning system for micro renewables which made their installation almost impossible just when Nicola Sturgeon was trying to roll them out through a healthy homes initiative. I thought someone like Shirley Anne would get a look in here?
#28 by James on May 22, 2011 - 7:39 am
Ah but the motorway-obsessed and public-transport-hating Shirley Anne didn’t make it back.
#29 by Mark on May 22, 2011 - 8:54 am
Oh, I genuinely hadn’t noticed her falling off the back of the steamroller!