Michael Marra has announced his first shadow cabinet as Scottish Labour positions itself as the "official opposition" to the SNP Government. The new party leader said he wanted his top team to "influence our thinking around the major long-term challenges facing our country".
Key roles in the new shadow cabinet
Joe Fagan, who lost out in the race to succeed Anas Sarwar, takes on Marra's former job as spokesman for finance and public service reform - a key role as John Swinney attempts to force through a reduction in the number of health boards and council areas across Scotland.
Jackie Baillie will continue in her role as health spokeswoman as well as remaining as Scottish Labour's deputy leader. Katherine Sangster, who was first elected as an MSP in May, is education spokeswoman while Paul Sweeney will take on an expanded role as spokesman for energy, climate action and transport.
Marra's criticism of other parties
Daniel Johnson remains as economy spokesman while Pauline McNeill will continue as justice spokeswoman. Marra said: "Scottish politics since May's election has been too focused on gimmicks and stunts – Scotland faces huge challenges in the short and medium term but MSPs from some parties have been pursuing issues completely disconnected from people's lives, chasing social media likes and easy headlines. We need a better quality of debate at Holyrood and more serious thinking."
He added: "We will take our role as the official opposition in Holyrood seriously – holding the SNP to account on their record and working to get the best deal for Scotland, using our influence where we can to deliver results for people."
Scottish Labour's position at Holyrood
Marra was handed an unexpected bonus last week after his party became the second largest at Holyrood in terms of MSPs after Amanda Bland quit Reform UK to sit as an independent. Scottish Labour won 17 MSPs at May's election - its worst performance ever - but now has one more than Reform as a result of Bland's fall-out.
It means Marra will be called first each week to probe John Swinney at First Minister's Questions, the highest-profile regular event at the Scottish Parliament.
