STURGEON’S CABINET CLEAR-OUT
Three ministers exit in sweeping reshuffle – including Nicola’s best friend She swings axe as party is accused of burying bad news on NHS and schools
NICOLA Sturgeon has ruthlessly wielded the axe in the biggest Cabinet overhaul since the SNP came to power as she desperately tries to revive her Government.
Three senior members of the Cabinet paid the price for the
SNP’s failings – including the First Minister’s close friend, Shona Robison.
The Health Secretary resigned and returns to the back benches following mounting criticism of her performance.
Economy Secretary Keith Brown was dumped after Scotland’s growth rates trailed behind the UK. Lowprofile Communities Secretary Angela Constance also stepped down.
In addition, Michael Matheson was removed as Justice Secretary amid concerns about soft-touch justice failings and his management of the single police force, but he still has a lesser role in Cabinet.
An extra two Cabinet posts were created, with five newcomers drafted
into the top team in what senior Government sources described as ‘succession planning’ by Miss Sturgeon.
Former Transport Minister Humza Yousaf enters the Cabinet in the highprofile justice remit. Jeane Freeman, a former adviser to Jack McConnell when he was Labour First Minister, is awarded the Health Secretary job.
Former higher education minister Shirley-Anne Somerville takes the newly created post of Social Security Secretary. Mr Matheson has the new Transport Secretary role.
The dramatic day comes as the First Minister battles to re-energise her Government after growing criticism of its performance in the key devolved areas of health, education, justice and the economy.
But critics said it remains ‘tired, completely out of ideas and all over the place on key issues’.
The overhaul was announced by Miss Sturgeon at Bute House in Edinburgh on a day of bad news, including:
Ministers shelved a flagship pledge for the biggest school reforms in decades amid rising criticism by teachers, parents and councils;
Performance against a key waiting times target slumped to the lowest on record;
A damning report into one of Scotland’s biggest health boards uncovered a culture of bullying and harassment.
Scottish Tory deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: ‘There may well have been a few ministerial changes but this is an SNP Government that is tired, completely out of ideas and all over the place on key issues. The people of Scotland are coming to the view that Nicola Sturgeon’s time is up.’
Miss Sturgeon had been considering a reshuffle since the SNP lost 21 seats at last
‘Completely out of ideas’
year’s general election. She finally pushed the button on her plans yesterday after polls indicated that the party is facing more losses in the next Holyrood election in 2021.
Two days earlier, Government sources had insisted there were ‘no plans’ for a reshuffle. Yesterday, SNP sources said ‘structural changes’ were being made to the Cabinet in an attempt to gain momentum in the run-up to the next election.
The reshuffle – announced via a choreographed series of resignation letters – was also described as ‘succession planning’ by Miss Sturgeon.
New Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf, who was last year fined £300 with six penalty points for driving without insurance, is seen by many as a potential future leader.
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has been handed an expanded brief also taking in the economy.
Mr Brown lost his economy role only weeks after being selected as the new deputy SNP leader. His salary will fall from £104,000 to £62,149 as a backbencher. It comes after Mr Brown told the Sunday Post this month: ‘Just as Nicola manages as party leader and First Minister, I can manage as Depute Leader and Economy Secretary.’
Miss Robison and Miss Constance will also see their salaries shrink as a result of their return to the back benches.
But all three will be handed taxpayer-funded ‘golden goodbyes’ of up to £11,700.
Today, Miss Sturgeon will continue her reshuffle by
‘They’re reduced to tantrums’
announcing a ‘fully refreshed’ junior ministerial team.
Last night, the First Minister said: ‘The new Cabinet I am announcing today brings fresh talent to the Scottish Government and ensures we are fully equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities facing the country.’
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: ‘The reshuffle shows the SNP has nothing left to say. They’re reduced to tantrums at Westminster and panic at Holyrood.’
Scottish Labour parliamentary business manager Rhoda Grant said: ‘This reshuffle is long overdue but the real change Scotland wants and needs will come from changing the Government.’
Comment – Page 16