Shirley-Anne Somerville

Last updated

(1 of 7 Regional MSPs)

In early 2020, Somerville announced the government would propose to amend the Gender Recognition Act 2004 of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. [11] The bill would make it easier for people to change their name legally, drop the requirement for medical evidence and lower the age limit for applications from 18 to 16. The bill has been opposed by For Women Scotland. [12] [13] On an interview with STV, Somerville recognised that women's rights are exceptionally important and have been long-fought for. She emphasised her commitment not to jeopardise women's rights. Somerville hoped for the bill to be passed by the end of the 5th Scottish Parliament, however, delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic have affected this ambition. [14]

Cabinet Secretary for Education (2021–2023)

In the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, Somerville secured a second term as the MSP for the Dunfermline constituency. [15] The SNP fell two seats short of an overall majority in the election, however, remained the largest party, with more than double the seats of the Scottish Conservatives. [16] Sturgeon announced her intention to form a third administration and appointed Somerville as the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, succeeding John Swinney, who was mounted with pressure by opposition to resign. [17] [18] [19] [20] The general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) Larry Flanagan welcomed her appointment, but added, "The first issue the Cabinet Secretary will need to address is an end to the scandal of temporary contracts throughout the education system.". [21]

SQA and Education Scotland reform

Somerville before the Scottish Parliament's committee on education, October 2021 Shirley-Anne Somerville before the Education Committee.jpg
Somerville before the Scottish Parliament's committee on education, October 2021

In June 2021, Somerville revealed plans to reform the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Education Scotland was under way. [22] The following year exams were scrapped and the SQA was criticised for down-grading teachers predictions which were based on pupil assessments. [23] After public outcry and protests from pupils, the Scottish Government u-turned its decision and allowed teachers predictions to be considered for pupil grading. [24] [25] [26] In the 2021 exam diet, exams were cancelled too, but students claimed the "assessments" were the equivalent to exams. [27]

The OECD published a report on the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) and recommended the government considered creating a "specialist stand-alone agency responsible for curriculum". [28] Somerville responded: “The OECD report is crystal clear - Curriculum for Excellence is the right approach for Scotland. In fact, despite all the criticism here at home, the OECD tells us it is viewed internationally as an inspiring example of curriculum practice. However, 10 years on from CfE being introduced, it is right and proper that we review how it is being implemented.". [29]

In March 2022, Somerville confirmed the SQA would be replaced by Qualifications Scotland and Education Scotland would be replaced by a new executive agency by the summer of 2024. [30]

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice (2023–present)

Official portrait as Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, 2023 Official portrait of social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville.jpg
Official portrait as Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, 2023

Following Humza Yousaf's successful election in March 2023 to become the Scottish National Party's leader following Nicola Sturgeon's resignation, Somerville was appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice. [31]

She then retained this post in John Swinney's subsequent government formed in May 2024. [32]

Personal life

Somerville lives in North Queensferry with her husband and two children. She is a trustee of Shelter Scotland, and is a member of the RSPB and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. [33]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Swinney</span> First Minister of Scotland since 2024

John Ramsay Swinney is a Scottish politician who has served as First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) since May 2024. He previously served as the leader of the SNP from 2000 to 2004 as Leader of the Opposition, and held various roles within the Scottish Cabinet from 2007 to 2023 under First Ministers Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon. Swinney was Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for North Tayside from 1999 to 2011 and, following boundary changes, has been MSP for Perthshire North since 2011. He was Member of Parliament (MP) for Tayside North from 1997 to 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Lochhead</span> Scottish Small Business, Innovation & Trade Minister

Richard Neilson Lochhead is a Scottish politician serving as the Minister for Business since 2023. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), he served as the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment from 2007 to 2016. Lochhead has been a member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) since 1999, first representing North East Scotland electoral region from 1999 to 2006, before representing the Moray constituency since 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiona Hyslop</span> Scottish politician (born 1964)

Fiona Jane Hyslop is a Scottish politician who has served as Cabinet Secretary for Transport since 2024. Hyslop has served in various offices under first ministers Salmond, Sturgeon, Yousaf and Swinney; as education secretary, culture secretary, and economy secretary as well as in junior ministerial roles. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she has been a member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Linlithgow constituency since 2011, having represented the Lothians region from 1999 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shona Robison</span> Scottish politician (born 1966)

Shona McRory Robison is a Scottish politician who has served as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government since 2023. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she previously served as Deputy First Minister of Scotland from 2023 to 2024. Robison has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Dundee City East since 2003 and was an additional member for the North East Scotland region from 1999 to 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angela Constance</span> Scottish Justice & Home Affairs Secretary

Angela Constance is a Scottish politician serving as Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs since 2023. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Almond Valley since 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aileen Campbell</span> Scottish National Party politician

Aileen Elizabeth Campbell is a Scottish football administrator and former politician who has served as the chief executive of Scottish Women's Football since 2021. A member of the Scottish National Party, she was a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for fourteen years and was a Scottish Government minister for ten, having served on the Scottish Cabinet as Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government, from 2018 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Brown (Scottish politician)</span> Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party

Keith James Brown is a Scottish politician serving as Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) since 2018. He is a former Royal Marines commando and has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) since 2007, first representing the Ochil constituency from 2007 to 2011, then the Clackmannanshire and Dunblane constituency since 2011. Brown previously served in the Scottish Cabinet, most recently as Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans from 2021 to 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graeme Dey</span> Scottish politician

Graeme James Dey is a Scottish politician currently serving as the Minister for Veterans and the Minister for Higher and Further Education since 2023. He served as Minister for Transport from 2021 to 2022, having previously served as Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans from 2018 to 2021. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), he has been Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Angus South since 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice</span> Scottish Cabinet position

The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, commonly referred to as the Social Justice Secretary, is a position in the Scottish Government Cabinet. The Cabinet Secretary has overall responsibility for community planning, housing, social security, the third sector. The current Cabinet Secretary is Shirley-Anne Somerville since 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Dunfermline by-election</span> Scottish Parliamentary election

A by-election was held for the Scottish Parliament constituency of Dunfermline on 24 October 2013, following the resignation of its MSP, Bill Walker after he was convicted of 23 charges of assault.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cara Hilton</span> Labour member of the Scottish Parliament (born 1975)

Cara Laura Hilton is a Scottish Labour politician, who was the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Dunfermline from 2013 to 2016. She has served as a councillor for Dunfermline South since 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Scottish National Party leadership election</span> Scottish National Party (SNP) leadership election

The 2014 Scottish National Party leadership election was held to choose the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and First Minister of Scotland, following the resignation of Alex Salmond as first minister and leader. Nicola Sturgeon emerged as the only candidate and was elected unopposed as leader of the SNP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mairi Gougeon</span> Scottish Rural Affairs, Land Reform & Islands Secretary

Mairi Angela Gougeon is a Scottish politician who has served as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands since 2021. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Angus North and Mearns since 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jenny Gilruth</span> Scottish politician (born 1984)

Jennifer Madeleine Gilruth is a Scottish politician who has served as the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills since 2023. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Mid Fife and Glenrothes since 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruth Maguire</span> Scottish National Party politician

Ruth Bernadette Maguire is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Cunninghame South since the 2016 Scottish Parliament election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ash Regan</span> Scottish politician (born 1974)

Ashten Regan is a Scottish politician. She has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Edinburgh Eastern since 2016. Initially elected to parliament for the Scottish National Party (SNP), she defected to the Alba Party. Regan served under First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as the minister for community safety from 2018 until she resigned in 2022 in protest against her government's Gender Recognition Reform bill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maree Todd</span> Scottish Social Care, Mental Wellbeing & Sport Minister

Maree Todd is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross since May 2021. She was previously an MSP for the Highlands and Islands from the election in May 2016. She has been serving as the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport since March 2023. She previously served as the Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport from 2021 to 2023, and as the Minister for Children and Young People from 2017 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second Sturgeon government</span> Scottish Government following the May 2016 Scottish Parliament general election

Nicola Sturgeon formed the second Sturgeon government following her Scottish National Party's victory in the 2016 Scottish Parliament election. Sturgeon was nominated by a vote of the 5th Scottish Parliament for appointment to the post of first minister on 17 May 2016. She was subsequently appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on 18 May, and announced formation of a new Scottish National Party minority government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Màiri McAllan</span> Scottish politician (born 1993)

Màiri Louise McAllan is a Scottish politician serving as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy since 2024. She previously served as Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition from 2023 to 2024 and Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform from 2021 to 2023. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Clydesdale since 2021. McAllan is a former corporate solicitor, who also served as a special advisor to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon prior to her election to the Scottish Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Third Sturgeon government</span> Scottish Government from 2021 to 2023

Nicola Sturgeon formed the third Sturgeon government following her Scottish National Party's victory in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. Sturgeon was nominated by a vote of the 6th Scottish Parliament for appointment to the post of First Minister on 18 May 2021 and announced the formation of a new Scottish National Party minority government on 19 May.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Nicola Sturgeon appoints new health and education secretaries". BBC News . 19 May 2021. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021.
  3. ↑ Holden, John-Paul (3 June 2021). "SQA and Education Scotland to be reformed". The Herald. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "Previous MSPs: Session 3 (2007–2011): Somerville, Shirley-Anne". Scottish Parliament. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  5. 1 2 Somerville, Shirley-Anne, (born 2 Sept. 1974), Member (SNP) Dunfermline, Scottish Parliament, since 2016; Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, since 2018. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U246319. ISBN   978-0-19-954088-4.{{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  6. ↑ "Shirley-Anne Somerville – Get to know your candidate". SNP West Fife and Coastal Villages. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  7. ↑ "MSP announces move to step down". BBC News . 18 August 2007.
  8. 1 2 "Losing SNP by-election candidate leaves Yes job". The Herald . 3 November 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  9. ↑ "ScottishGovernment - News - New Scottish Cabinet unveiled". 19 May 2016. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  10. ↑ "SNP's Christina McKelvie takes medical leave from ministerial role". BBC News. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  11. ↑ "Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill: consultation analysis". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  12. ↑ "Move to system 'closer to self-declaration' for gender recognition, MPs recommend". inews.co.uk. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  13. ↑ Horne, Marc. "Gender reforms will cost you, SNP and Greens told". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  14. ↑ "Changing gender could soon become easier and quicker, Scottish minister reveals". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  15. ↑ "Shirley-Anne Somerville retains Dunfermline constituency seat". Dunfermline Press. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  16. ↑ Hutcheon, Paul (8 May 2021). "SNP to fall short of overall majority, according to BBC Holyrood projection". Daily Record. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  17. ↑ Crichton, Torcuil (19 May 2021). "Shirley-Anne Somerville is education secretary in Sturgeon cabinet reshuffle". Daily Record. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  18. ↑ "New Cabinet appointed". Scottish Government . 19 May 2021.
  19. ↑ "Shirley-Anne Somerville is new education secretary". Tes Magazine. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  20. ↑ "Scottish Labour call for John Swinney to resign over exam results". The National. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  21. ↑ Scotland, The Educational Institute of. "EIS Welcomes new Education Secretary to Post". www.eis.org.uk. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  22. ↑ Aitken, Vivienne (19 June 2021). "Education Secretary plans reform of SQA to give kids exams body 'we can trust'". Daily Record. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  23. ↑ "SQA under fire after downgrading 124,000 predicted exam results". the Guardian. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  24. ↑ "Revealed: Poorest Scots schools hit four times harder in SQA results scandal". The National. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  25. ↑ "All pupils marked down by SQA to have teachers' estimated grades instead". The National. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  26. ↑ "Coronavirus in Scotland: School pupils protest over SQA exam results". BBC News. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  27. ↑ "Covid in Scotland: Scottish pupils sitting 'exams by another name'". BBC News. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  28. ↑ "Curriculum for Excellence: Scottish Government response to OECD Review". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  29. ↑ "Scottish Government to scrap SQA". Holyrood Website. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  30. ↑ "'Qualifications Scotland' and new education agency to replace SQA and Education Scotland". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  31. ↑ "New Cabinet unveiled". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  32. ↑ "New Scottish Cabinet". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  33. ↑ StDunfermline, 34 Chalmers; KY12 8DFScotl (5 September 2018). "Shirley-Anne Somerville". Scottish National Party. Retrieved 31 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Shirley-Anne Somerville
MSP
Shirley-Anne Somerville - 53727457108 (cropped).jpg
Official portrait, 2024
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice
Incumbent
Assumed office
29 March 2023
In office
31 August 2007 –22 March 2011
First Minister
Deputy First Minister
Cabinet Secretaries
May attend cabinet
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.