Leader of the Opposition (Scotland)

Leader of the Opposition in the Scottish Parliament
Scottish Gaelic: Ceannard an Luchd-dùbhlain ann am Pàrlamaid na h-Alba
Leader of the Opposition
Incumbent
Douglas Ross
since 6 May 2021
Scottish Parliament
Opposition Shadow Cabinet
StyleMember of the Scottish Parliament (MSP)
Term lengthWhile leader of the largest political party in the Scottish Parliament that is not in government
Inaugural holderAlex Salmond
FormationMay 1999

In the Scottish Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition (more formally, the Leader of the Opposition in the Scottish Parliament) is an unofficial title often used to describe the leader of the largest political party in the Scottish Parliament that is not in government. This leader has also been referred to as the Shadow First Minister.[1]

Unlike in the Parliament at Westminster where there is an Official Opposition to the government of the day, all parties in the Scottish Parliament that are not in government are all legally on the same footing as 'opposition parties'.

Since May 2021, this has been Douglas Ross of the Scottish Conservatives, who succeeded Ruth Davidson.[2][3]

To date there have been 13 individuals who have led the largest opposition party, three from the Scottish National Party, seven from the Scottish Labour Party and three from the Scottish Conservative Party.

  1. ^ "The Scottish Parliament: Mr John Swinney MSP". 2 November 2002. Archived from the original on 2 November 2002. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Glossary". www.parliament.scot. 20 May 2010.
  3. ^ "Ruth Davidson's return to frontline politics confirmed as Douglas Ross announces first reshuffle". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 6 December 2020.

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