SCOTTISH Labour’s James Kelly has been left humiliated after he was demoted in a frontbench reshuffle.
Regional leader Richard Leonard has stripped the MSP of his role as economy spokesman and moved him to justice, with Rhoda Grant taking up the post.
Kelly’s time in the brief will be best remembered for his many gaffes.
In December 2018, he criticised the SNP for “keeping a slush fund of over £300 million in reserves while children are going hungry”.
However, the figure he was referring to was actually an increase in spending of £313m being taken out of the reserve.
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In June this year, he hit out at the Scottish Government for underspending in its Budget – despite the devolution settlement meaning Holyrood cannot overspend.
At the time, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “After so many years in this parliament, that he doesn’t even have a basic grasp of the basic principles of government and budgeting is really quite staggering.”
Leonard’s reshuffle comes ahead of MSPs returning to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday.
He said it will “renew the energy” across the party ahead of the 2021 elections, with polls suggesting they will once again perform poorly.
Kelly’s appointment as justice spokesman sees him replace Daniel Johnson, who stepped down from the frontbench in May.
Among the other new additions are former transport minister Sarah Boyack, who has taken over Kezia Dugdale’s Lothians region seat and has been appointed as local government spokeswoman.
Joe Cullinane, the leader of North Ayrshire Council, has meanwhile been appointed to head up campaigns and party engagement for Scottish Labour.
Alex Rowley has been handed the brief for Brexit and the constitution, while Elaine Smith takes up the role as business manager.
Iain Gray will be the education, skills and science spokesman in the new term, with Monica Lennon retaining her position as the party’s health and sport spokeswoman.
Claire Baker continues as culture, tourism and external affairs spokeswoman for the party, while Colin Smyth retains his position as rural economy, transport and connectivity spokesman.
David Stewart replaces Elaine Smith as spokesman for the eradication of poverty and social inequality, while Claudia Beamish is spokeswoman for environment, climate change and land reform.
Pauline McNeill will serve in the frontbench as spokeswoman for communities and equalities.
Leonard said: “I am confident that our new shadow Cabinet team have the expertise, experience and enthusiasm to both hold the SNP Government to account and to put forward the distinctive Scottish Labour alternative.”
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