Third Sturgeon government

Last updated

Third Sturgeon government
Flag of Scotland.svg
9th Government of Scotland
2021 – 2023
Third Sturgeon Government, 2021.jpg
Sturgeon's cabinet socially distanced outside Bute House, 2021
Date formed19 May 2021
Date dissolved28 March 2023
People and organisations
Monarch Elizabeth II
Charles III
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister's history 2014–2023
Deputy First Minister John Swinney
No. of ministers27
Total no. of members27
Member parties
  •   Scottish National Party
  •   Scottish Greens (August 2021–March 2023)
Status in legislature Majority (coalition)
cooperation and confidence and supply agreement between the SNP and the Greens
71 / 129 (55%)




(August 2021–March 2023)

Minority
64 / 129 (50%)
(May–August 2021)
Opposition cabinet Opposition Parties
Opposition party
Opposition leader Douglas Ross
History
Election 2021 Scottish Parliament election
Legislature term 6th Scottish Parliament
Predecessor Second Sturgeon government
Successor First Yousaf government

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. [1]

Contents

Sturgeon is the first First Minister to form a third government. Her cabinet, like her previous two, is 50/50 gender neutral. On 31 August 2021, the SNP and Scottish Greens entered a power-sharing arrangement which resulted in the appointment of two Green MSPs as junior ministers in the government, delivery of a shared policy platform, and Green support for the government on votes of confidence and supply. [2] [3]

Following Sturgeon’s decision to resign as Scottish First Minister and Leader of the SNP in February 2023, her government continued in a caretaker capacity until her successor, Humza Yousaf, was elected by the party at the end of the following month.

History

In the May 2021 Scottish Parliament election, the Scottish National Party (SNP) won 64 of the 129 seats contested. [4] Incumbent First Minister Nicola Sturgeon soon afterwards announced her intention to form a minority government. She was nominated for the post of first minister by a vote of the Scottish Parliament on 18 May, defeating Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie by 64 votes to 31 and 4 respectively.

Long standing ministers Jeane Freeman, Michael Russell, Roseanna Cunningham and Aileen Campbell did not seek re-election to the 6th Scottish Parliament, with Fiona Hyslop and Fergus Ewing standing down from government. [5] This left Sturgeon with many empty posts.

Shortly after being elected, Sturgeon re-appointed John Swinney as Deputy First Minister of Scotland and also appointed him the newly created Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery post. [6] Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes, Shirley-Anne Somerville and Michael Matheson all remained in government. Shona Robison and Keith Brown made a return to cabinet, having previously served in Sturgeon's governments. Only Mairi Gougeon and Angus Robertson were new to cabinet. The Scottish Parliament confirmed the appointment of ministers and junior ministers on 20 May. [7]

The first meeting of the third Sturgeon government at St Andrews House, 2021 Scottish Cabinet meeting in St. Andrew's House, Edinburgh.jpg
The first meeting of the third Sturgeon government at St Andrews House, 2021

In May 2021, both the Lord Advocate, James Wolffe, and Solicitor General for Scotland, Alison Di Rollo, announced their intention to step down as Scotland's top law officers. [8] On 17 June, Sturgeon nominated Dorothy Bain QC to serve as Lord Advocate and Ruth Charteris QC to serve as Solicitor General. This is the first time in history both posts have been held by women. [9]

On 20 August 2021, following two months of negotiations, the SNP and Scottish Greens announced a new power-sharing agreement. [10] [11] While not an official coalition, it would be the first time in both Scottish and UK history that Green politicians would be in government. [12] [13] The Greens hold two ministerial posts. [14] The agreement will see both parties pledge for a second referendum on Scottish independence, an increase investment in active travel and public transport, enhancing tenants rights, a ten-year £500m Just Transition and establishing a National Care Service. [15] [16]

On 21 February 2023, Sturgeon chaired her final meeting of her third cabinet following her resignation the previous month. [17] It was also Deputy First Minister John Swinney's final attendance to a Scottish Cabinet, having announced his retirement from government after serving under First Minister Alex Salmond and Sturgeon from 2007 until 2023. [18] Swinney later became First Minister in May 2024 following the 2024 Scottish government crisis that led to the resignation of First Minister Yousaf.

Cabinet

May 2021 – March 2023

III Cabinet of Nicola Sturgeon
PortfolioPortraitMinisterTerm
Cabinet secretaries
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon 2021.jpg The Rt Hon

Nicola Sturgeon MSP

2014–2023
Deputy First Minister Official Portrait of John Swinney.jpg John Swinney MSP 2014–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery 2021–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes, 2021.jpg Kate Forbes MSP 2020–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf, 2021.jpg Humza Yousaf MSP 2021–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville, 2021.jpg Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP 2021–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Cabinet Secretary, Michael Matheson.jpg Michael Matheson MSP 2018–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans Cabinet Secretary, Keith Brown.jpg Keith Brown MSP 2021–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government Cabinet Secretary, Shona Robison, 2021.jpg Shona Robison MSP 2021–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands Cabinet Secretary, Mairi Gougeon.jpg Mairi Gougeon MSP 2021–2023
Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson.jpg The Rt Hon. Angus Robertson MSP 2021–2023
Also attending cabinet meetings [19] [lower-alpha 1] [lower-alpha 2]
Permanent Secretary John-Paul Marks 2022.jpg John-Paul Marks 2022–2023
Minister for Parliamentary Business Minister for Parliamentary Business, George Adam (51189846351).jpg George Adam MSP 2021–2023
Lord Advocate Official Portrait of Dorothy Bain QC.png The Rt Hon. Dorothy Bain KC 2021–2023

Changes

List of junior ministers

May 2021 – March 2023

Junior ministers

PostMinisterPolitical PartyTerm
Minister for Drugs Policy Angela Constance MSP SNP 2020–2023
Minister for Parliamentary Business George Adam MSP SNP 2021–2023
Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work Richard Lochhead MSP SNP 2021–2023
Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Ivan McKee MSP SNP 2021–2023
Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth Tom Arthur MSP SNP 2021–2023
Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport Maree Todd MSP SNP 2021–2023
Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Kevin Stewart MSP SNP 2021–2023
Minister for Children and Young People Clare Haughey MSP SNP 2021–2023
Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training Jamie Hepburn MSP SNP 2021–2023
Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform Mairi McAllan MSP SNP 2021–2023
Minister for Transport Graeme Dey MSP SNP 2021–2022
Jenny Gilruth MSP SNP 2022-2023
Minister for Community Safety Ash Regan MSP SNP 2021–October 2022
Elena Whitham MSP SNP November 2022-2023
Minister for Equalities and Older People Christina McKelvie MSP SNP 2018–2023
Minister for Social Security and Local Government Ben MacPherson MSP SNP 2021–2023
Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development

Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine

Neil Gray MSP SNP 2022–2023
Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights Patrick Harvie MSP Scottish Green 2021–2023
Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Lorna Slater MSP Scottish Green 2021–2023

Changes

  • Graeme Dey resigned as Minister for Transport and was replaced by Jenny Gilruth, the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development. Gilruth was succeeded by Neil Gray who was appointed Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine.
  • Ash Regan resigned as Minister for Community Safety in October 2022. [20] [21] Elena Whitham was appointed as the new Minister for Community Safety in November 2022. [22]

Scottish Law Officers

Law officers [23]

PostNamePortraitTerm
Lord Advocate The Rt Hon. Dorothy Bain KC Official Portrait of Dorothy Bain QC.png 2021–2023
Solicitor General for Scotland Ruth Charteris KC Official portrait of Ruth Charteris QC 2021.jpg 2021–2023

Notes

  1. ↑ The following members also attend the Scottish Cabinet, however, some are not required to attend every meeting.
  2. ↑ The Co-leaders of the Scottish Greens also attend cabinet twice a year as part of the Bute House Agreement

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The Scottish National Party is a Scottish nationalist and social democratic party. The party holds 63 of the 129 seats in the Scottish Parliament, and holds 9 out of the 57 Scottish seats in the House of Commons. It has 453 local councillors of the 1,227 available. The SNP supports and campaigns for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom and for Scotland's membership in the European Union, with a platform based on progressive social policies and civic nationalism. Founded in 1934 with the amalgamation of the National Party of Scotland and the Scottish Party, the party has had continuous parliamentary representation in Westminster since Winnie Ewing won the 1967 Hamilton by-election.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Scotland</span>

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<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">6th Scottish Parliament</span> Members of the 6th Scottish Parliament

The 6th Scottish Parliament was elected at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. It was opened with the Escort to the Crown of Scotland Parade and Speech from the Throne on 2 October 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bute House Agreement</span> Power-sharing agreement in the Scottish government

The Bute House Agreement, officially the Cooperation Agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group was a power-sharing agreement between the Scottish National Party (SNP) government and the Scottish Greens which was agreed in August 2021 to support the Third Sturgeon government and then was reaffirmed to support the First Yousaf government.

The 2023 Scottish National Party leadership election took place in February and March 2023 to choose the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) to succeed Nicola Sturgeon, who announced her resignation on 15 February. Nominations closed on 24 February 2023 with three candidates: Kate Forbes, Ash Regan, and Humza Yousaf being presented to the electorate of party members. Yousaf was elected the new leader on 27 March with 48.2% of first preference votes and 52.1% of the vote after third-placed candidate Regan's second preferences were redistributed. Yousaf was elected as the First Minister of Scotland on 28 March 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Yousaf government</span> Scottish Government from 2023 to 2024

Humza Yousaf formed the first Yousaf government on 29 March 2023 following his appointment as first minister of Scotland at the Court of Session. It followed the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon as first minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) on 15 February, triggering a leadership contest that Yousaf won.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Scottish government crisis</span> Events leading to Humza Yousafs resignation

In April 2024, Humza Yousaf, first minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), faced a confidence challenge following his termination of the Bute House Agreement between the SNP and the Scottish Greens, which meant that Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, co-leaders of the Greens and their only government ministers, were removed from government. This was following changes to landmark climate policy by Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Màiri McAllan, after which a planned Greens vote on the continuation of the agreement was announced. Facing a motion of confidence in him Yousaf announced his intention to resign as first minister and party leader on 29 April.

References

  1. ↑ "Nicola Sturgeon re-elected as Scotland's first minister". BBC News. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  2. ↑ "SNP and Greens agree new power-sharing deal". BBC News. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  3. ↑ "DRAFT COOPERATION AGREEMENT between THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT and THE SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP" (PDF). gov.scot. 20 August 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 August 2021.
  4. ↑ "Scottish election 2021: Nicola Sturgeon celebrates 'historic' SNP election win". BBC News. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  5. ↑ Ross, Calum (19 May 2021). "Cabinet Reshuffle: Fergus Ewing and Fiona Hyslop leave top posts". Press and Journal. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  6. ↑ "John Swinney to be minister for Covid recovery". BBC News. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  7. ↑ "Business Motion". The Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  8. ↑ "Scotland's lord advocate and solicitor general resign". BBC News. 23 May 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "Holyrood appoints women as Scotland's top lawyers for the first time". The National. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  10. ↑ "SNP-Greens deal pledges indyref2 within five years". BBC News. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  11. ↑ Davidson, Peter (20 August 2021). "SNP and Greens negotiate deal to form power-sharing government at Holyrood". Daily Record. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  12. ↑ "Co-operation deal between SNP and Greens to be revealed this week". The National. 15 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  13. ↑ "Scotland: SNP and Scottish Greens' power-sharing agreement is 'groundbreaking', Nicola Sturgeon says". Sky News. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  14. ↑ "Scottish Greens enter government as deal done with SNP". STV News. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  15. ↑ "What does the SNP-Green deal mean for Scotland?". Largs and Millport Weekly News. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  16. ↑ "Working Together to Build A Greener, Fairer, Independent Scotland" (PDF). Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  17. ↑ Meighan, Craig (21 March 2023). "Nicola Sturgeon chairs last ever cabinet meeting as First Minister". STV News. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  18. ↑ McCall, Chris (2 March 2023). "John Swinney to quit Scottish Government after almost 16 years". Daily Record. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  19. ↑ "Cabinet and Ministers". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  20. ↑ "SNP minister QUITS in protest over transgender law reform bid". The National. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  21. ↑ "SNP Minister Ash Regan resigns over Scottish Government gender recognition reforms". The Daily Record. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  22. ↑ "New Minister announced". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  23. ↑ "Law Officer appointments - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
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