The SNP unveils the new MPs who will make up its Westminster frontbench team
Many newly elected MPs will take centre stage in the party
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Your support makes all the difference.The Scottish National Party has unveiled its Westminster frontbench team as it stakes claim to its status as the UK’s third biggest party.
The party has appointed a 17-strong “group leadership” on main issues as well as a 32 spokespeople meaning most of its 56 MPs have an official role.
Angus Robertson will remain the party’s Westminster group leader, with Stewart Hosie its deputy.
Two-time former leader Alex Salmond takes the position of international affairs and Europe, a role that could be highly prominent in the coming EU referendum campaign.
Mr Robertson MP said in a statement that he was proud of the team’s gender balance and its incorporation of newly elected MPs.
“The SNP Westminster Leadership and team of spokespeople bring together a great range of talents from the record-sized SNP group in the House of Commons,” he said.
“We will coordinate and develop the policy priorities of the SNP at Westminster while working closely with colleagues in the Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, European Parliament and local government.
“I’m proud that we have been able to follow the lead of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in having a gender balanced team of spokespeople as well as matching the experience of long serving SNP parliamentarians and newly elected MPs.
“All SNP parliamentarians will be working in policy teams, with many taking up committee places when the committees start their work shortly in the House of Commons.”
Eilidh Whiteford will lead on social justice and welfare, with newcomer Joanna Cherry covering Home Affairs. Brendan O’Hara will represent the party on defence.
The party has more MPs in Westminster than it has ever had after it won a landslide victory in Scotland at the general election this month.
The party left Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Conservatives with one seat each in Scotland, taking the rest for itself.
It leapfrogged the Liberal Democrats, who were part of the last parliament’s Coalition government, as Britain’s third largest party.
The full list of SNP Westminster posts is:
Westminster group leadership
Angus Robertson MP - Group Leader and Constitution
Stewart Hosie MP - Deputy Group Leader and Economy
Eilidh Whiteford MP - Social Justice and Welfare
Joanna Cherry MP - Justice & Home Affairs
Alex Salmond MP - International Affairs and Europe
Brendan O’Hara MP - Defence
Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh MP - Trade and Investment
Hannah Bardell MP - Fair Work and Employment
Drew Hendry MP - Transport
Calum Kerr MP - Environment and Rural Affairs
Callum McCaig MP - Energy and Climate Change
Carol Monaghan MP - Public Services and Education
Michelle Thomson MP – Business, Innovation and Skills
Philippa Whitford MP - Health
Pete Wishart MP - Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Mike Weir MP - Chief Whip
Deidre Brock MP - Scottish Parliament/Scottish Government Liaison
Westminster SNP Spokespeople
Scotland and Constitution
Margaret Ferrier MP, SNP Spokesperson on the Scotland Office
Tommy Sheppard MP, SNP Spokesperson on the Cabinet Office
Deidre Brock MP, SNP Spokesperson on Devolved Government Relations
Kirsty Blackman MP, SNP Spokesperson on House of Lords
Economy
Roger Mullin MP, SNP Spokesperson the Treasury
John Nicolson MP, SNP Spokesperson on Culture, Media and Sport
Alison Thewliss MP, SNP Spokesperson on Cities
Social Justice and Welfare
Ian Blackford MP, SNP Spokesperson on Pensions
Natalie McGarry MP, SNP Spokesperson on Disabilities
Justice and Home Affairs
Stuart McDonald MP, SNP Spokesperson on Immigration, Asylum and Border Control
Angela Crawley MP, SNP Spokesperson on Equalities, Women and Children
Anne McLaughlin MP, SNP Spokesperson on Civil Liberties
International Affairs
Stephen Gethins MP, SNP Spokesperson on Europe
Patrick Grady MP, SNP Spokesperson on International Development
Lisa Cameron MP, SNP Spokesperson on Climate Justice
Defence
Kirsten Oswald MP, SNP Spokesperson on the Armed Forces and Veterans
SNP Whips Office
Mike Weir MP, SNP Chief Whip
Marion Fellows MP and Owen Thompson MP
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