Sweeping reshuffle of SNP expected as Sturgeon looks to form next Cabinet

WITH the election over, attention will turn to Nicola Sturgeon’s next Cabinet.

The First Minister will be expected to carry out a sweeping reshuffle of her top team in the coming days.

A number of big-hitters opted to leave Holyrood ahead of the election, leaving some large shoes to fill.

Jeane Freeman, the former Health Secretary, and Michael Russell, the former Constitution Secretary, both chose not to stand, as did Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell and Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham.

Between them, Ms Sturgeon will be losing a wealth of experience.

Ms Cunningham and Mr Russell were among those elected to the first Scottish Parliament in 1999.

One person who can expect a senior role is Angus Robertson, who took Edinburgh Central from the Scottish Conservatives in one of the election’s biggest results, securing a majority of 4,732. Mr Robertson is the former MP for Moray, and was previously the SNP’s Westminster leader.

A key ally of Ms Sturgeon, he is often talked of as her potential successor.

His Westminster experience might make him a good fit for the Constitution brief previously held by Mr Russell.

This looks set to be a pivotal role in the coming years given the looming constitutional clash with the UK Government.

An experienced hand could prove vital, and Mr Robertson’s grounding in Westminster would no doubt prove useful.

Alternatively, Ms Sturgeon could be eyeing him up for Deputy First Minister.

This role is currently held by John Swinney, who also holds the Education brief.

Giving Mr Robertson the DFM role would allow Mr Swinney to focus solely on education – a crucial area for the Government, and perhaps even more important following the upheaval of the coronavirus pandemic.