Second Sturgeon government

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.[1] She was subsequently appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on 18 May, and announced formation of a new Scottish National Party minority government.[2]

Second Sturgeon government

8th government of Scotland
2016–2021
First Minister Sturgeon's original cabinet at Bute House, 2016
Date formed18 May 2016
Date dissolved19 May 2021
People and organisations
MonarchElizabeth II
First MinisterNicola Sturgeon
First Minister's history2014–2023
Deputy First MinisterJohn Swinney
Total no. of members26 (including First Minister)
Member party
  •   Scottish National Party
Status in legislatureMinority
63 / 129 (49%)
Opposition party
Opposition leaderRuth Davidson (2016-18)
Jackson Carlaw (2018-19)
Ruth Davidson (2019)
Jackson Carlaw (2019-20)
Ruth Davidson (2020–21)
History
Election2016 general election
Outgoing election2021 general election
Legislature term5th Scottish Parliament
PredecessorFirst Sturgeon government
SuccessorThird Sturgeon government

The second Sturgeon government was an SNP minority government and despite the whipping and resignation of some MSPs, this was also returned by Labour and Conservative opposition MSPs. Like the previous, it consisted of 50/50 gender balance cabinet; 5 men and 5 women. As part of wide criticism of policies, the resignation of many members and in response to the Brexit negotiations, Sturgeon conducted a major cabinet reshuffle in 2018. Following the resignation of Derek Mackay as Finance Secretary in 2020, Sturgeon performed a minor reshuffle of her cabinet.

The government dissolved on 19 May 2021, following the 2021 election to the 6th Scottish Parliament, which returned the SNP on seat short of a majority and Sturgeon later forming a third government with a deal with the Scottish Greens, creating a pro-independence majority.

History

edit

Formation of government

edit

In the May 2016 Scottish Parliament election, the Scottish National Party (SNP) won 63 of the 129 seats contested. 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 17 May, defeating Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Willie Rennie by 63 votes to 5, with 59 abstentions.[1] Ahead of the formation of the new government, long-serving ministers Alex Neil and Richard Lochhead announced their resignations from the cabinet.[3] Sturgeon recommended the appointment of James Wolffe as Lord Advocate and Alison Di Rollo as Solicitor General on 31 May 2016. Their recommendation was confirmed by the Scottish Parliament on the same day.[4]

2018 cabinet reshuffle

edit

On the 26 June 2018, Sturgeon announced a cabinet reshuffle.[5] Long standing ministers such as Shona Robison and Angela Constance announced their resignation due to personal circumstances, with Keith Brown resigning to take his role as SNP Depute Leader. Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People was promoted to cabinet-level with more social security powers handed to the Scottish Parliament.

2020 cabinet reshuffle

edit
 
Sturgeon's cabinet reshuffle, 2018

On the 6 February 2020, on the day of the Scottish Budget, Nicola Sturgeon accepted Derek MacKay's resignation following an article by the Sun newspaper of inappropriate messages sent to a 16-year-old boy.[6] Kate Forbes, then Minister for Public Finance, delivered the Scottish Budget, with Sturgeon later promoting Forbes to Finance Secretary.

Final months

edit

Sturgeon accepted the resignation of Joe FitzPatrick, Minister of Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, following Scotland's record high drug deaths. Sturgeon appointed Mairi Gougeon to succeed FitzPatrick, with Angela Constance re-entering government to serve as Minister for Drug Policy.

In the latter half of Sturgeon's government, she and her government led the Scottish Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cabinets

edit

May 2016 to June 2018

edit
II Cabinet of Nicola Sturgeon[7][8]
Portfolio Portrait Minister Term Ref.
Cabinet secretaries
First Minister   The Rt Hon

Nicola Sturgeon MSP

2014–2023 [9]
Deputy First Minister   John Swinney MSP 2014–2023 [10]
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills 2016–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution   Derek Mackay MSP 2016–2020 [11]
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport   Shona Robison MSP 2014–2018 [12]
Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform   Roseanna Cunningham MSP 2016–2021 [13]
Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs   Fiona Hyslop MSP 2011–2021 [14]
Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities   Angela Constance MSP 2016–2018 [15]
Cabinet Secretary for Justice   Michael Matheson MSP 2014–2018 [16]
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work   Keith Brown MSP 2016–2018 [17]
Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity   Fergus Ewing MSP 2016–2021 [18]
Also attending cabinet meetings[a]
Permanent Secretary   Leslie Evans 2015–2022 [19]
Minister for Parliamentary Business   Joe FitzPatrick MSP 2014–2018 [20]
Lord Advocate   The Rt Hon James Wolffe QC 2016–2021 [21]

June 2018 to February 2020

edit
II Cabinet of Nicola Sturgeon
Portfolio Portrait Minister Term Ref.
Cabinet secretaries
First Minister   The Rt Hon

Nicola Sturgeon MSP

2014–2023
Deputy First Minister   John Swinney MSP 2014–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills 2016–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work   Derek Mackay MSP 2016–2020
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport   Jeane Freeman MSP 2018–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform   Roseanna Cunningham MSP 2016–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs   Fiona Hyslop MSP 2011–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government   Aileen Campbell MSP 2018–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Justice   Humza Yousaf MSP 2018–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy   Fergus Ewing MSP 2016–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People   Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP 2021–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations   Michael Russell MSP 2018–2021 [22]
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity   Michael Matheson MSP 2018–2023
Also attending cabinet meetings
Permanent Secretary   Leslie Evans 2015–2022
Minister for Parliamentary Business   Graeme Dey MSP 2018–2021
Lord Advocate   The Rt Hon James Wolffe QC 2016–2021

February 2020 to May 2021

edit
II Cabinet of Nicola Sturgeon
Portfolio Portrait Minister Term Ref.
Cabinet secretaries
First Minister   The Rt Hon

Nicola Sturgeon MSP

2014–2023
Deputy First Minister   John Swinney MSP 2014–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills 2016–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Finance   Kate Forbes MSP 2020–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport   Jeane Freeman MSP 2018–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform   Roseanna Cunningham MSP 2016–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture   Fiona Hyslop MSP 2011–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government   Aileen Campbell MSP 2018–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Justice   Humza Yousaf MSP 2018–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism   Fergus Ewing MSP 2016–2021
Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People   Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP 2018–2021
Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs   Michael Russell MSP 2020–2021 [23]
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity   Michael Matheson MSP 2018–2023
Also attending cabinet meetings
Permanent Secretary   Leslie Evans 2015–2022
Minister for Parliamentary Business   Graeme Dey MSP 2018–2021
Lord Advocate   The Rt Hon James Wolffe QC 2016–2021

Junior Ministers

edit

Junior ministers[24]

edit
Post Minister Term
Minister for Childcare and Early Years Maree Todd MSP 2017–2021
Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP 2016–2018
Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans Joe FitzPatrick MSP 2016–2018
Graeme Dey MSP 2018–2021
Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands Humza Yousaf MSP 2016–2018
Paul Wheelhouse MSP 2018–2021
Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills 2016–2018
Jamie Hepburn MSP 2018–2021
Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing Aileen Campbell MSP 2016–2018
Joe FitzPatrick MSP 2018–2020
Mairi Gougeon MSP 2020-2021
Minister for Mental Health Maureen Watt MSP 2016–2018
Clare Haughey MSP 2018–2021
Minister for Community Safety Annabelle Ewing MSP 2016–2018
Ash Denham MSP 2018–2021
Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Kevin Stewart MSP 2016–2021
Minister for Social Security Jeane Freeman OBE MSP 2016–2018
Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development Alasdair Allan MSP 2016–2018
Ben Macpherson MSP 2018–2020
Jenny Gilruth MSP 2020–2021
Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe Michael Russell MSP 2016–2018
Minister for Older People and Equalities Christina McKelvie MSP 2018–2021
Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation Ivan McKee MSP 2018–2021
Minister for Public Finance and Migration Kate Forbes MSP 2018–2020
Ben Macpherson MSP 2020–2021
Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment
Mairi Gougeon MSP 2018-2020
Minister for Drug Policy Angela Constance MSP 2020–2021

Scottish Law Officers

edit

Law officers[4]

edit
Post Name Portrait Term
Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC   2016–2021
Solicitor General for Scotland Alison Di Rollo QC   2016–2021

See also

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^ The following members also attend the Scottish Cabinet, however, some are not required to attend every meeting.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Nicola Sturgeon wins Scottish first minister vote". BBC News. BBC. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Scottish cabinet reshuffle: John Swinney becomes education secretary". BBC News. BBC. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Alex Neil and Richard Lochhead step down from Holyrood cabinet". BBC News. BBC. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Law Officer appointments". news.scotland.gov.uk. Scottish Government. 31 May 2016. Archived from the original on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  5. ^ Carrell, Severin (26 June 2018). "Nicola Sturgeon carries out major reshuffle of Scottish cabinet". The Guardian.
  6. ^ Carrell, Severin (6 February 2020). "Derek Mackay's resignation may derail SNP's policy agenda". The Guardian.
  7. ^ "New Scottish Cabinet unveiled". news.scotland.gov.uk. Scottish Government. 18 May 2016. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  8. ^ "Ministers & Law Officers". parliament.scot. Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  9. ^ "First Minister". 20 June 2016. Archived from the original on 20 June 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Deputy First Minister". 23 August 2016. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  11. ^ "Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution". 23 July 2016. Archived from the original on 23 July 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  12. ^ "Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport". 24 August 2016. Archived from the original on 24 August 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  13. ^ "Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform". 7 August 2016. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  14. ^ "Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs". 23 August 2016. Archived from the original on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  15. ^ "Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities". 23 July 2016. Archived from the original on 23 July 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  16. ^ "Cabinet Secretary for Justice". 1 August 2016. Archived from the original on 1 August 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  17. ^ "Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work". 26 August 2016. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  18. ^ "Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity". 28 August 2016. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  19. ^ "Permanent Secretary". 29 June 2016. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  20. ^ "Minister for Parliamentary Business". 9 August 2016. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  21. ^ "Lord Advocate". 12 September 2016. Archived from the original on 12 September 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  22. ^ "Scottish cabinet reshuffle unveiled". BBC News. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  23. ^ "Kate Forbes appointed new Scottish finance secretary". BBC News. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  24. ^ "First Minister completes ministerial team". news.scotland.gov.uk. Scottish Government. 18 May 2016. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.