Scottish Liberal Democrats appoint team of spokespeople

Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, announced the new team of spokespeople which he described as “crackling with talent and ideas”.

Mr Cole-Hamilton is to continue as health spokesperson reflecting his personal commitment to help the NHS recover from the pandemic, as well as leading on the constitution and external affairs.

Former leader, Willie Rennie one of the four LibDem MSPs, will become the party’s spokesperson on education, economy and communities.

Liam McArthur MSP, who is also Deputy Presiding Officer, will lead for the party on justice and the climate emergency.

Beatrice Wishart will be spokesperson for rural affairs and connectivity, as well as Deputy Convener of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee.

The full spokesperson team is as follows:

• Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP – Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Health and Social Care, Constitution and External Affairs
• John Ferry – Finance
• Jane Alliston – Mental Health
• Cllr Ben Lawrie – Drugs Emergency 
• Aisha Mir – Human Rights & Older People 
• Willie Rennie MSP – Education, Economy & Communities, Member of the Education, Children and Young People Committee
• Carole Ford – Schools & Skills
• Jack Norquoy – Young People
• Cllr Peter Barrett – Local Government
• Paul McGarry – Housing & Homelessness
• Caron Lindsay – Social Security, Member of the Social Justice Secretary’s Steering Group on a Minimum Income Guarantee
• Joe McCauley – Culture 
• Beatrice Wishart MSP – Rural Affairs & Connectivity, Deputy Convener of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee, Member of the Deputy First Minister’s Cross Party Covid Recovery Steering Group
• Molly Nolan – Remote & Rural Communities
• Jill Reilly – Transport
• Liam McArthur MSP – Justice and the Climate Emergency
• Sanne Dijkstra-Downie – Net Zero
• Bruce Wilson – Veterans and Social Justice

Cole-Hamilton said: “After a busy first week as leader in which I have challenged the government over their wafer-thin commitment to helping the NHS recover from the pandemic and pushed for a comprehensive covid inquiry, I am delighted to announce my new spokesperson team who will lead the party forward over the coming years.

“Scotland needs new hope and this team can offer it. They are crackling with talent and ideas, ready to inspire people. We will focus on the issues that matter to people across the country every day, from the NHS to the climate emergency. We will oppose the centralising SNP and stand up for human rights at home and abroad.

“Over the coming weeks I will be setting out a series of proposals to give people new hope, from the environment to the future of our communities and the prospects for young people. Scottish Liberal Democrats have so much to offer the people of Scotland.”