SNP Westminster chief Stephen Flynn reshuffles frontbench group

SNP Westminster chief Stephen Flynn has reshuffled his frontbench – with a basic election anticipated subsequent 12 months.

Mr Flynn stated his revamped group would search to “pile pressure” on the UK authorities forward of the election.

The reshuffle sees Amy Callaghan, who ousted then Liberal Democrat chief Jo Swinson to win the East Dunbartonshire seat in 2019, take over from Martyn Day because the get together’s well being spokesperson at Westminster.

Ms Callaghan fought most cancers as an adolescent earlier than struggling a mind haemorrhage in 2020.

Anum Qaisar turns into the get together’s new levelling up spokesperson, a publish which had been held by Chris Stephens.

Mhairi Black stays as Westminster deputy chief, regardless of asserting she is to stop the Commons on the subsequent election.

However Stewart Hosie – who can also be among the many eight SNP MPs who’ve up to now declared they won’t be standing for election subsequent 12 months – has been faraway from the financial system temporary, with Drew Hendry taking over this function.

Philippa Whitford, one other MP who’s stepping down, is changed because the get together’s Scotland spokesperson by Tommy Sheppard.

Elsewhere Alan Brown is changed as vitality spokesperson by Dave Doogan, who had been the get together’s overseas affairs spokesperson.

David Linden, Alison Thewliss, Alyn Smith and Kirsten Oswald all retain their present posts, and can proceed to talk for the get together on social justice, residence affairs, Europe and EU accession, and girls and equalities respectively.

The SNP stated it now has extra girls in promoted posts, with higher illustration from communities throughout Scotland.

Mr Flynn added: “The SNP’s new frontbench team will pile pressure on the UK government to help families with the cost of living, whilst renewing the positive case for independence in Europe, and investment in Scotland’s enormous renewable energy potential, as the best route to securing strong and sustained economic growth.”

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Hitting out on the get together’s rivals, he added: “The Tories trashed the UK economy – and it’s increasingly clear the Tory-lite Labour Party is offering no change from the disastrous policies that got the UK into this mess.

“Under Sir Keir Starmer, they again Brexit, austerity cuts, and creeping privatisation of the NHS, which is able to take the UK down the trail to long-term decline and hammer the incomes of households in Scotland.”

Mr Flynn said the SNP “is the get together with a plan to ship sturdy financial progress – and scale back the price of dwelling”.

He added: “Scotland is an vitality wealthy nation with enormous assets. By rejoining the EU, and investing within the renewable vitality gold rush, we will construct a wealthier, greener and fairer future.

“Over the coming months, my new team will continue to put the Westminster-made cost of living crisis at the forefront of our work – and we will make the case that voting SNP is the only way to secure independence, boost the economy and deliver the real hope and real change the public so badly deserve.”