Three earn promotion in reshuffle
MSP Christina Mckelvie was “honoured”to be selected as part of the First Minister’s ministerial team.
The representative for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse was included in Nicola Sturgeon’s new-look team last week and will now take on the role of minister for older people and equalities.
Ms Mckelvie’s new responsibilities include covering disabilities and the protection and development of social and human rights, building on her experience as convener of the Scottish Parliament’s human rights and equalities committee.
She said: “It is an honour and privilege to be appointed as the minister for older people and equalities and I am excited about the opportunities ahead and the chance I now have to continue to build a fairer and more equal Scotland.
“As former convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s equalities and human rights committee I already know many stakeholders and will of course work with them in this important role, building on the excellent work of my predecessors in this area, Angela Constance and Jeane Freeman.
“I will of course champion the rights and interests of those with protected characteristics and older people and am looking forward to taking on important work in areas such as social isolation and the continuing delivery of our disability and race action plans, as well as playing my part in building a fairer Scotland.”
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey, whose constituency covers Blantyre, is now minister for mental health.
Ms Haughey is expected to bring a wealth of experience to her new role as a former mental health nurse who continues to hold an honorary nursing position.
She said: “I have been a mental health nurse for over 30 years so I am delighted to be given this opportunity to work in the Scottish Government with the new cabinet secretary for health Jeane Freeman.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank my predecessor and the UK’S first ever mental health minister, Maureen Watt, who served the Scottish Government with distinction.
“I will of course continue to work hard to represent my Rutherglen constituency and will continue to be as accessible and as pro-active locally as possible.”
Clydesdale MSP Aileen Campbell has been promoted to cabinet secretary for communities and local government and will lead the Scottish Government’s work to tackle poverty and inequality, as well as taking forward plans to reform local governance.
The First Minister said: “The new ministers bring a range of fresh talent to the Scottish Government, ensuring that we are equipped to deal with the challenges and maximise the opportunities facing the people of Scotland.
“The ministerial team represents constituencies the length and breadth of Scotland, coming with a range of professional backgrounds and bringing a breadth of real-life experience to their roles.
“For instance, Clare Haughey brings her extensive background as a mental health nurse to the mental health portfolio.
“All of the new ministers I have appointed have already proven themselves as effective parliamentarians and I know that they will do likewise in ministerial office.”