Opposition parties in the Scottish Parliament

Unlike in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, where there is a recognised "Official Opposition" to the government of the day, all parties in the Scottish Parliament that are not in government are technically on the same footing as "opposition parties". With the Scottish National Party (SNP) currently in government, the Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Labour, Reform UK Scotland and the Scottish Greens each form shadow cabinets composed of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and prospective parliamentary candidates. The Scottish Liberal Democrats do not.

Shadow cabinet ministers have a responsibility to shadow an individual government minister or a specific area of government. Other parties have frontbench teams with spokespersons covering multiple areas of government or which are composed of spokespersons from both within and outside the Scottish Parliament.

Current Labour shadow cabinet Marra Shadow Cabinet Minister Portfolio Shadows Term Shadow Cabinet Secretaries Michael MarraLeaderJohn Swinney2026–presentJackie BaillieDeputy LeaderJenny Gilruth2021–presentHealth and CareAngela ConstanceVacantFinanceJenny Gilruth2026–presentPublic Service ReformIvan McKee2026–presentDaniel JohnsonEconomy, Tourism and TransportStephen Flynn2021–presentClaire BakerClimate Action and Rural AffairsGillian Martin2026–presentKatherine SangsterEducation, Culture and GaelicMàiri McAllan2026–presentPauline McNeillJusticeNeil Gray2021–presentMark GriffinSocial Justice and HousingShirley-Anne Somerville2026–present

Minister Portfolio Shadows Term Junior SpokespersonsNeil BibbyParliamentary Business, External Affairs and VeteransJamie Hepburn Stephen Gethins2026–presentPaul SweeneyBusiness and Fair WorkTom Arthur 2026–presentDonald MacKinnonAgriculture, Marine and the IslandsJim Fairlie2026–presentJenny YoungInnovation, Technology and Tertiary EducationBen Macpherson2026–presentJoe LongCommunity Care and Mental WellbeingAlison Thewliss Maree Todd2026–presentIrshad AhmedPublic Health and SportMaree Todd2026–presentKaty ClarkEnding Violence Against Women and GirlsKirsten Oswald2023–presentCarol MochanEqualities and International DevelopmentSimita Kumar2026–present

Current Reform UK shadow cabinet Offord Shadow Cabinet Minister Portfolio Shadows Term Shadow Cabinet Secretaries Malcolm OffordLeaderJohn Swinney2026–presentEconomy and Public Sector ReformStephen FlynnIvan McKee Thomas KerrDeputy LeaderJenny Gilruth2026–presentSocial Justice and HousingShirley-Anne Somerville Kim SchmulianFinanceJenny Gilruth2026–present Angela RossEducationMàiri McAllan2026–present Helen McDadeHealthAngela Constance2026–present Amanda BlandJusticeNeil Gray2026–present Jamie LanganRural AffairsGillian Martin2026–present

Offord Shadow Junior Ministers Minister Portfolio Shadows Term Shadow MinistersMax BannermanWhip and Parliamentary BusinessJamie Hepburn2026–presentGraham SimpsonTransport and TourismStephen Flynn2026–presentDuncan MasseyEnergyStephen Gethins2026–presentAmanda LindsayWomen and EqualitiesSimita Kumar2026–presentMark SimpsonVictims and Community SafetyKirsten Oswald2026–presentDavid SmithVeterans and Community CareJamie Hepburn2026–presentAlison ThewlissDavid KirkwoodInnovation, Technology and Tertiary EducationBen Macpherson2026–presentVic CurrieDrugs, Alcohol Policy and SportMaree Todd2026–presentJulie MacDougallLocal Government and CommunitiesHannah Mary Goodlad2026–presentSenga BeresfordConstitutionJohn Swinney2026–present

Current Green Shadow Cabinet Second MacKay-Greer Shadow Cabinet Minister Portfolio Shadows Term Shadow Cabinet SecretariesGillian MackayCo-Leader John Swinney2025–presentConstitution, External Affairs, Public Health and Sport (spokesperson)Stephen Gethins Maree Todd2026–presentRoss GreerCo-LeaderJohn Swinney2025–present FinanceJenny Gilruth2021–presentLorna SlaterPublic Service ReformIvan McKee2026–presentGroup Business ManagerJamie Hepburn2026–presentKayleigh Kinross-O'NeillHealthAngela Constance2026–presentLaura MoodieEducationMàiri McAllan2026–presentHolly BruceSocial JusticeShirley-Anne Somerville2026–presentMark RuskellClimate Action and NatureGillian Martin2026–presentMaggie ChapmanJusticeNeil Gray2021–presentPatrick HarvieEconomy, Transport and TourismStephen Flynn2026–present

Green Junior SpokespersonsAriane BurgessRural Affairs, Land Reform and the Marine Environment2021–present Kristopher LeaskEnergy, Local Government and the Islands2026–presentCara McKeeCommunity Care2026–presentQ ManivannanCulture2026–presentIris DuaneTertiary Education and Housing2026–presentKate NevensEqualities and International Development2026–present

Current Conservative shadow cabinet

Liberal Democrat spokespersons +Cole-Hamilton SpokespersonsPortfolioOfficeholderTermLeaderAlex Cole-Hamilton2021–presentDeputy LeaderWendy Chamberlain 2021–presentRural Affairs Spokesperson Andrew Baxter2026–presentJustice SpokespersonYi-Pei Chou Turvey 2026–presentClimate, Environment and Energy Spokesperson Sanne Dijkstra-Downie2026–presentEducation, Children and Young People Duncan Dunlop2026–presentPublic Service Reform, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Spokesperson David Green2026–presentHealth and Care SpokespersonAdam Harley2026–presentHousing, Social Security and Local Government SpokespersonMorven May-MacCalum2026–presentEconomy, Finance and Tourism SpokespersonLiam McArthur 2026–presentChief Whip Willie Rennie2026–presentTransport Spokesperson

Previous Conservative shadow cabinets

+Second Davidson Shadow CabinetScottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet: Ruth Davidson announces new team. Holyrood, 19 May 2016.PortfolioOfficeholderTermLeaderRuth Davidson2016–2020Deputy LeaderJackson Carlaw2016–2020Europe and External AffairsCulture and Tourism2016–2017Rachael Hamilton2017–2020FinanceMurdo Fraser2016–2020Economy, Jobs and Fair WorkDean Lockhart2016–2020Health and SportDonald Cameron2016–2017Miles Briggs2017–2020Education and SkillsLiz Smith2016–2020ConstitutionAdam Tomkins2016–2020Social Security2016–2018Michelle Ballantyne2018–2020JusticeDouglas Ross2016–2017Liam Kerr2017–2020Rural Economy and ConnectivityPeter Chapman2016–2020Environment, Climate Change and Land ReformMaurice Golden2016–2017Donald Cameron2017–2020Chief WhipJohn Lamont2016–2017Maurice Golden2017–2020 +Carlaw Shadow CabinetPortfolioOfficeholderTermLeaderJackson CarlawFebruary–August 2020Deputy LeaderLiam KerrFebruary–August 2020JusticeDeputy LeaderAnnie WellsFebruary–August 2020Climate Change, Environment and Land ReformFinanceDonald CameronFebruary–August 2020Constitution and External AffairsMurdo FraserFebruary–August 2020StrategyAdam TomkinsFebruary–August 2020HealthMiles BriggsFebruary–August 2020EducationJamie GreeneFebruary–August 2020Parliamentary Business ManagerMaurice GoldenFebruary–August 2020Climate Change, Environment and Land ReformEconomy, Fair Work and CultureBusiness, Infrastructure and TransportDean LockhartFebruary–August 2020Rural Economy and TourismRachael HamiltonFebruary–August 2020Housing, Communities and Social SecurityGraham SimpsonFebruary–August 2020Chief WhipLiz SmithFebruary–August 2020 +Ross–Davidson Shadow CabinetPortfolioOfficeholderTermLeaderDouglas Ross2020–presentLeader in the Scottish ParliamentRuth Davidson2020–2021Education and SkillsJamie Greene2020–presentJusticeLiam Kerr2020–presentHealth and SportDonald Cameron2020–presentFinanceMurdo Fraser2020–presentEnvironment, Climate Change and Land ReformLiz Smith2020–presentRural Economy and TourismJamie Halcro Johnston2020–presentConstitution, Europe and External AffairsDean Lockhart2020–presentCommunities and Local GovernmentAnnie Wells2020–presentEconomy, Fair Work and CultureMaurice Golden2020–presentTransport, Infrastructure and ConnectivityGraham Simpson2020–presentSocial Security and Older PeopleRachael Hamilton2020–presentChief WhipMiles Briggs2020–present

Previous Labour shadow cabinets

Previous shadow cabinets +McConnell Shadow CabinetPortfolioOfficeholderTermLeaderJack McConnellMay–August 2007Deputy Leader and Parliamentary BusinessCathy JamiesonMay–August 2007Finance and Sustainable GrowthWendy AlexanderMay–August 2007Education and Lifelong LearningHugh HenryMay–August 2007Health and WellbeingAndy KerrMay–August 2007JusticeMargaret CurranMay–August 2007Rural Affairs and EnvironmentRhona BrankinMay–August 2007Junior Opposition postsEurope, External Affairs and CulturePatricia FergusonMay–August 2007Enterprise, Energy and TourismIain GrayMay–August 2007Transport, Infrastructure and Climate ChangeDes McNultyMay–August 2007Schools and SkillsKen MacintoshMay–August 2007Children and Early YearsPauline McNeillMay–August 2007Public HealthLewis MacdonaldMay–August 2007Communities and SportJohann LamontMay–August 2007Community SafetyPaul MartinMay–August 2007EnvironmentSarah BoyackMay–August 2007Deputy Parliamentary BusinessMichael McMahonMay–August 2007Parliamentary Private Secretary to Jack McConnellRichard BakerMay–August 2007 +Alexander Shadow CabinetPortfolioOfficeholderTermLeaderWendy Alexander2007–2008Deputy LeaderCathy Jamieson2007–2008Parliamentary BusinessFinance and Sustainable GrowthIain Gray2007–2008Health and WellbeingMargaret Curran2007–2008Public Services and Local GovernmentAndy Kerr2007–2008JusticePauline McNeil2007–2008Education and Lifelong LearningRhona Brankin2007–2008Rural Affairs and EnvironmentSarah Boyack2007–2008Junior Opposition postsEurope and CulturePatricia Ferguson2007–2008Transport, Infrastructure and Climate ChangeDes McNulty2007–2008Schools and SkillsKen Macintosh2007–2008Public HealthLewis Macdonald2007–2008Communities and SportJohann Lamont2007–2008Community SafetyPaul Martin2007–2008 +Gray Shadow CabinetPortfolioOfficeholderTermLeaderIain Gray2008–2011Deputy LeaderJohann Lamont2008–2011Parliamentary Business ManagerMichael McMahon2008–2011Chief WhipDavid Stewart2008–2011Europe, External Affairs and CulturePauline McNeill2008–2011Finance and Sustainable GrowthAndy Kerr2008–2011Economy and SkillsJohn Park2008–2009Education and Lifelong LearningRhona Brankin2008–2009Des McNulty2009–2011Health and WellbeingCathy Jamieson2008–2009Jackie Baillie2009–2011JusticeRichard Baker2008–2011Rural Affairs and EnvironmentSarah Boyack2008–2011Minister without PortfolioMargaret Curran2008–2010John Park2010–2011Local GovernmentMichael McMahon2009–2011 +Lamont Shadow CabinetPortfolioOfficeholderTermLeaderJohann Lamont2011–2014Deputy LeaderAnas Sarwar2011–2014Finance, Employment and Sustainable GrowthKen Macintosh2011–2013Iain Gray2013–2014Education and Lifelong LearningHugh Henry2011–2013Kezia Dugdale2013–2014Health and WellbeingJackie Baillie2011–2013Neil Findlay2013–2014Culture, External Affairs and the Commonwealth GamesPatricia Ferguson2011–2014JusticeGraeme Pearson2011–2013Lewis Macdonald2013–2014Infrastructure and Capital InvestmentRichard Baker2011–2013James Kelly2013–2014Local Government and PlanningSarah Boyack2011–2014Rural Affairs and EnvironmentClaire Baker2011–2014ConstitutionDrew Smith2013–2014Social Justice, Equalities and WelfareJackie Baillie2013–2014Parliamentary Business ManagerPaul Martin2011–2014Chief WhipJames Kelly2011–2013Lewis Macdonald2013–2014Also attending shadow cabinet meetingsPortfolioOfficeholderTermYouth EmploymentKezia Dugdale2011–2013Jenny Marra2013–2014Deputy FinanceJenny Marra2013–2014Parliamentary Private Secretary to Johann LamontSiobhan McMahon2011–2014