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The new Scottish Labor leader has accused other parties at Holyrood of chasing “issues completely out of people’s lives”.
Michael Marra has announced his first shadow cabinet as Scottish Labor positions itself as the “official opposition” to the SNP government.
The new party leader said he wanted his top team to “influence our thinking around the big long-term challenges facing our country”.
Joe Fagan, who lost out in the race to succeed Anas Sarwar, takes over Marra’s previous job as spokesman for finance and public service reform – a key role as John Swinney tries to force through a reduction in the number of health boards and council areas across Scotland.
Jackie Baillie will continue in her role as health spokeswoman and will also remain as Scottish Labor deputy leader.
Katherine Sangster, who was first elected as an MSP in May, is education spokesperson, while Paul Sweeney takes on an expanded role as energy, climate action and transport spokesperson.
Daniel Johnson will remain as economic spokesperson while Pauline McNeill will continue as justice spokesperson.
Marra said: “Scottish politics since May’s election has focused too much on gimmicks and stunts – Scotland faces big challenges in the short and medium term but MSPs from some parties have pursued issues completely detached from people’s lives, follow social media and simple headlines. We need a better quality of debate at Holyrood and more serious thinking.
“We will take our role as the official opposition at Holyrood seriously – holding the SNP to their record and working to get the best deal for Scotland, using our influence where we can to deliver results for the people.
“That’s why we will draw on all the talent from across the Scottish Labor Party for our teams, including our MPs and councillors, to shape and influence our thinking around the big long-term challenges facing our country across demographic change, climate change and technological change.”
Marra was handed an unexpected bonus last week after his party became the second largest at Holyrood in terms of MSPs after Amanda Bland left Reform UK to sit as an independent.
Scottish Labor won 17 MSPs in May’s election – its worst ever performance – but now has one more than reform as a result of Bland’s failure.
It means Marra is first called every week to question John Swinney at First Minister’s Questions, the highest profile regular event in the Scottish Parliament.
