North-east MSP Jenny Marra will today be appointed Labour’s new health spokeswoman.
She has been appointed by new party leader Jim Murphy who is poised to announce a complete “shake-up” of the shadow cabinet at Holyrood.
Former party leader Iain Gray will be named Labour’s new education spokesman and leadership contenders Sarah Boyack and Neil Findlay – previously health spokesman – have both been offered new jobs.
Mr Murphy, MP for East Renfewshire, was elected to the post on Saturday following Johann Lamont’s resignation in October.
Elgin-raised Lothians MSP Kezia Dugdale – previously education spokeswoman – has been appointed the party’s new deputy leader.
Mr Murphy, who has to win a seat at Holyrood in order to fight to become Scotland’s next first minister in 2016, said his new team – being announced today – would put forward “a positive vision of how Labour can make Scotland the fairest nation in the world”.
“I said yesterday I want a fresh start for the Scottish Labour Party’s constitution and today I will announce a fresh start with my shadow cabinet,” he added.
“Every member of the team has worked hard but it’s time to shake things up.
“That means no member of the shadow cabinet will stay in their current post, every member of the team will be on the move.”
Mr Murphy, who insists Scottish Labour would be autonomous of London, said it was a “crucial time” for Scotland and he had put together a team that can reach out to the whole country.
“Everybody will be new in their post and nobody will remain in their old job – it’s a big change for the Scottish Labour Party,” he added.
“It’s not important to me who the members of the shadow cabinet voted for in the leadership contest.
“We need a new team of all the talents across our party to put forward a positive vision of how Labour can make Scotland the fairest nation in the world.”