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Frontbench Team of Stephen Flynn

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Frontbench Team of Stephen Flynn
Fourth Party of the House of Commons
2022–present
Date formed10 December 2022
People and organisations
Group LeaderStephen Flynn
Member party
  •   SNP
Status in legislatureFourth party (from 2024)
9 / 650 (1%)
Third party (2022–2024)
43 / 650 (7%)
History
Outgoing election2019 general election
2024 general election
Legislature terms58th UK Parliament
59th UK Parliament
PredecessorBlackford Frontbench

The Frontbench Team of Stephen Flynn is the team of Scottish National Party Spokespersons in the House of Commons since 2022.[1] The frontbench was first appointed on 10 December 2022.[2]

Flynn was elected leader of the SNP Westminster Group on 6 December 2022, alongside Mhairi Black as deputy leader, following the resignation of Ian Blackford. Flynn's leadership came at a time of a cost of living crisis and when the United Kingdom's Supreme Court set out that the Scottish Parliament does not have the devolved competence to hold an independence referendum without the consent of the British Government. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had set out plans for the next election to the House of Commons to be a proxy referendum on independence, putting the Frontbench Team at the centre of a constitutional campaign within Scotland.

In the 2024 general election, the SNP suffered huge losses losing the vast majority of their seats.[3] As a result, Stephen Flynn unveiled a new much slimmed down frontbench including himself, Pete Wishart as his deputy and Kirsty Blackman as chief whip.[4]

Formation

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Following Flynn's victory in the leadership election, Pete Wishart, Chris Law and Stewart McDonald resigned from the frontbench.[5]

Members

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Frontbench 2022–2023

[edit]
Portfolio [6] Spokesperson
Group Leader Stephen Flynn MP
Deputy Leader Mhairi Black MP
Chief Whip Martin Docherty-Hughes MP
Economy The Rt Hon Stewart Hosie MP
Social Justice David Linden MP
Home Affairs Alison Thewliss MP
Justice and Immigration Stuart McDonald MP
Scotland Philippa Whitford MP
Europe and EU Accession Alyn Smith MP
Foreign Affairs Drew Hendry MP
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Patricia Gibson MP
Women and Equalities Kirsten Oswald MP
International Trade, Northern Ireland and Wales Richard Thomson MP
Energy and Industrial Strategy Alan Brown MP
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport John Nicolson MP
Defence Dave Doogan MP
House of Commons Business Deidre Brock MP
Levelling Up Chris Stephens MP
Cabinet Office Kirsty Blackman MP
Transport Gavin Newlands MP
Health Martyn Day MP
International Development Brendan O'Hara MP
Education Carol Monaghan MP

Frontbench 2023–2024

[edit]

On 4 September 2023, Flynn reshuffled the frontbench.[7][8][9]

Portfolio [6] Spokesperson
Group Leader The Rt Hon Stephen Flynn MP
Deputy Leader Mhairi Black MP
Chief Whip The Rt Hon Owen Thompson MP
House of Commons Business Deidre Brock MP
Economy Drew Hendry MP
Levelling Up Anum Qaisar MP
Social Justice David Linden MP
Home Affairs Alison Thewliss MP
Justice and Immigration Chris Stephens MP
Attorney General Patricia Gibson MP
Europe and EU Accession Alyn Smith MP
Science, Innovation, Technology and Education Carol Monaghan MP
Scotland Tommy Sheppard MP
International Development Anne McLaughlin MP
Foreign Affairs Brendan O'Hara MP
Women and Equalities Kirsten Oswald MP
Environment, Farming, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steven Bonnar MP
Cabinet Office Kirsty Blackman MP
Business and Trade, Northern Ireland and Wales Richard Thomson MP
Health Amy Callaghan MP
Transport Gavin Newlands MP
Energy Security and Net Zero Dave Doogan MP
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport John Nicolson MP
Defence Martin Docherty-Hughes MP

Frontbench July 2024–Present

[edit]

Following the 2024 general election, the frontbench was reshuffled.[4]

Portfolio [6] Spokesperson
Group Leader Stephen Flynn MP
Deputy Leader Pete Wishart MP
Chief Whip Kirsty Blackman MP

References

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  1. ^ "SNP Westminster leader denies plotting to oust predecessor". BBC News. 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
  2. ^ "Stephen Flynn unveils new SNP Westminster frontbench after reshuffle". HeraldScotland. 10 December 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  3. ^ Meighan, Craig (2024-07-04). "SNP suffers huge losses as Labour sweeps to power across UK". STV News. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  4. ^ a b "New SNP frontbench roles confirmed after loss of seats at General Election". The National. 2024-07-10. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  5. ^ "Four SNP MPs in new roles in Westminster reshuffle". BBC News. 2022-12-10. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  6. ^ a b c SNP, the (2022-12-10). "The real opposition: meet your new SNP Westminster Frontbench". Scottish National Party. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
  7. ^ "SNP announces frontbench reshuffle at Westminster". BBC News. 2023-09-04. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  8. ^ "SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn reshuffles frontbench team". Sky News. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  9. ^ "Stephen Flynn announces major shake-up of SNP Westminster team". The National. 2023-09-04. Retrieved 2023-09-10.