Political

New Scottish Lib Dem spokesperson team is majority female

As with Tim Farron previously, Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie has looked to talent outside elected Parliamentarians (MSPs in his case, MPs in Tim’s case) in order to put together a team of key spokespeople which is rather closer to the diversity of the electorate than is traditional. Both now have teams which are majority female – just like the electorate.

The names announced for Willie Rennie’s team in Scotland are:

  • Willie Rennie MSP: leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and finance spokesperson
  • Cllr Carolyn Caddick: economy spokesperson
  • Cllr Karen Clark: social care spokesperson
  • Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP: health spokesperson
  • Katy Gordon: chair of the 2017 local election campaign
  • Christine Jardine: environment spokesperson
  • Caron Lindsay: social security spokesperson
  • Liam MacArthur MSP: justice and energy spokesperson
  • Cllr Eileen McCartin: culture spokesperson
  • Mike Rumbles MSP: rural affairs spokesperson and business manager in the Scottish Parliament
  • Tavish Scott MSP: education and sport spokesperson
  • Sheila Thomson, Chair of Scottish Lib Dems: children and young people spokesperson

Announcing the team, Willie Rennie said:

Scottish Liberal Democrats have punched above our weight over the last five years at the Scottish Parliament and the team announced today will help ensure that we continue to lead the agenda.

Our party is full of talented people and I am delighted that senior party figures outside of Holyrood will play a leading role in driving our policy agenda forwards for the next five years.

They have contributed a huge amount to the communities they serve, from councillors to campaigners, and bring a wealth of experience to the team.

This gender balanced team will provide strong liberal voices inside and outside parliament.

These appointments will put the Liberal Democrats in the strongest possible position to grow over the next five years.

It has also been reported that Willie Rennie is intending further action to improve the BAME diversity of his team.