Douglas Ross announces frontbench team at Holyrood

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has announced his new frontbench team at Holyrood.

Mr Ross, who was elected as an MSP earlier this month, pledged that the team will work constructively with other parties.

But, he insisted that his party is ready to “take the fight to the SNP from day one”.

Murdo Fraser, who has been an MSP since 2001, is named as shadow covid recovery secretary, having previously held the brief as shadow finance secretary.

Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith has been given the shadow finance and economy brief, while Dumfriesshire MSP Oliver Mundell is named as shadow secretary for education and skills.

Annie Wells, a Glasgow MSP since 2016, has been appointed as the shadow health and social care secretary, with West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene named as the shadow justice secretary.

North East Scotland MSP Liam Kerr will take up the brief for net zero, energy and transport shadow secretary, having previously been shadow justice secretary.

Miles Briggs, a Lothian MSP, has been named as shadow secretary for social justice, housing and local government, whilst Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP Rachael Hamilton will be shadow rural affairs and islands secretary.

Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron has been given the role of shadow constitution, external affairs and culture secretary.

Meanwhile, former Conservative MP and newly elected MSP for Central Scotland Stephen Kerr has been named as chief whip and as a reserve at FMQs.

Douglas Ross said that his team would help to build a “real alternative” to the SNP.

“Against the odds, the Scottish Conservatives produced our best Holyrood election result ever, winning 31 seats and 100,000 more votes than before,” said Ross.

“Our new team of MSPs is determined to improve the lives of people all over the country by focusing 100% on Scotland’s recovery and tackling the health and economic crisis we face.

“Our shadow cabinet will work constructively with other parties to get things done but we are equally ready to be a strong opposition and take the fight to the SNP from day one.

“They will drive forward at least 15 bills over the course of this parliamentary term as we start on the road to building Scotland’s real alternative to the SNP.”