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Leader of the Opposition (Scotland)

In the Scottish Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition (more formally, the Leader of the Opposition in the Scottish Parliament) is an unofficial title often used to describe the leader of the largest political party in the Scottish Parliament that is not in government. This leader has also been referred to as the Shadow First Minister.[1]

Unlike in the Parliament at Westminster where there is an Official Opposition to the government of the day, all parties in the Scottish Parliament that are not in government are all legally on the same footing as 'opposition parties'.

On 27 September 2024, following a leadership election within the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party,[2] Russell Findlay succeeded Douglas Ross, who had served in this role from 2021 to 2024, as Leader of the Opposition in Holyrood.

To date there have been 14 individuals who have led the largest opposition party, three from the Scottish National Party, seven from the Scottish Labour Party and four from the Scottish Conservative Party.

List of leaders of the opposition in the Scottish Parliament

Timeline

Douglas Ross (Scottish politician)Jackson CarlawRuth DavidsonKezia DugdaleJohann LamontIain GrayWendy AlexanderCathy JamiesonJack McConnellNicola SturgeonJohn SwinneyAlex Salmond

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Scottish Parliament: Mr John Swinney MSP". 2 November 2002. Archived from the original on 2 November 2002. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  2. ^ Craig Williams (29 September 2024). "New Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay promises to 'change' party". BBC Scotland News. Edinburgh. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Alex Salmond". politics.co.uk. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  4. ^ StreetBlairgowrie, 17-19 Leslie; Ph10 6ah (5 September 2018). "John Swinney". Scottish National Party. Retrieved 6 December 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "Salmond to lead SNP again". the Guardian. 3 September 2004. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Former minister returns to join Scottish shadow cabinet". the Guardian. 18 May 2007. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  7. ^ "McConnell quits as Scottish Labour leader". the Guardian. 15 August 2007. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  8. ^ a b "McConnell quits Labour leadership". 15 August 2007. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Alexander leads Scottish Labour". 14 September 2007. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  10. ^ "'Jobs for the girls' on Wendy's front bench". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  11. ^ "Wendy Alexander: Labour's short-lived Scottish leader". the Guardian. 28 June 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  12. ^ "Iain Gray is voted in as leader of the Scottish Labour party". the Guardian. 13 September 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  13. ^ "Scottish Labour leader struggles to be recognised as poll puts SNP ahead". the Guardian. 17 April 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  14. ^ https://www. theguardian.com/uk/2011/dec/17/johann-lamont-scottish-labour-leader
  15. ^ Aitken, Mark (16 December 2012). "Johann Lamont says her first year in charge of opposition has been fun". Daily Record. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  16. ^ "Johann Lamont resigns as leader of Scottish Labour party". the Guardian. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  17. ^ "MP Jim Murphy named Scottish Labour leader". BBC News. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  18. ^ "Scottish Labour agree to swathe of party reforms – and new leader will be announced on August 15th". LabourList. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Scottish Labour agrees reform plan". BBC News. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  20. ^ "Kezia Dugdale elected Scottish Labour leader". 15 August 2015 – via www.theguardian.com.
  21. ^ "Kezia Dugdale – Latest news updates, pictures, video, reaction – Daily Record". www.dailyrecord.co.uk. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  22. ^ "Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale 'heartbroken' by result". BBC News. 6 May 2016.
  23. ^ "Nicola Sturgeon promises to work with opposition parties after SNP loses majority". The Independent. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  24. ^ "Jackson Carlaw MSP Appointed Interim Leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party". Highland. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  25. ^ "Scottish Tory leader resigns after just five months". The Independent. 30 July 2020.
  26. ^ "Jackson Carlaw resigns as Scottish Conservative leader". STV News. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  27. ^ "Scottish Conservatives appoint Ruth Davidson as Holyrood leader". the Guardian. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.