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]
Frontbench Team of Stephen Flynn | |
|---|---|
| Fourth Party of the House of Commons | |
| 2022–present | |
 | |
| Date formed | 10 December 2022 |
| People and organisations | |
| Group Leader | Stephen Flynn |
| Member party | |
| Status in legislature | Fourth party (from 2024) 9 / 650 (1%) Third party (2022–2024) 43 / 650 (7%) |
| History | |
| Outgoing election | 2019 general election 2024 general election |
| Legislature terms | 58th UK Parliament 59th UK Parliament |
| Predecessor | Blackford Frontbench |
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
editFollowing Flynn's victory in the leadership election, Pete Wishart, Chris Law and Stewart McDonald resigned from the frontbench.[5]
Members
editFrontbench 2022–2023
editFrontbench 2023–2024
editOn 4 September 2023, Flynn reshuffled the frontbench.[7][8][9]
Frontbench July 2024–Present
editFollowing 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
edit- ^ "SNP Westminster leader denies plotting to oust predecessor". BBC News. 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
- ^ "Stephen Flynn unveils new SNP Westminster frontbench after reshuffle". HeraldScotland. 10 December 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
- ^ Meighan, Craig (2024-07-04). "SNP suffers huge losses as Labour sweeps to power across UK". STV News. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ a b "New SNP frontbench roles confirmed after loss of seats at General Election". The National. 2024-07-10. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "Four SNP MPs in new roles in Westminster reshuffle". BBC News. 2022-12-10. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
- ^ a b c SNP, the (2022-12-10). "The real opposition: meet your new SNP Westminster Frontbench". Scottish National Party. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
- ^ "SNP announces frontbench reshuffle at Westminster". BBC News. 2023-09-04. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ "SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn reshuffles frontbench team". Sky News. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ "Stephen Flynn announces major shake-up of SNP Westminster team". The National. 2023-09-04. Retrieved 2023-09-10.