The Frontbench Team of Stephen Flynn was the team of Scottish National Party Spokespersons in the House of Commons from 2022 to 2026. The frontbench was first appointed on 10 December 2022.
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. 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.
Formation Following Flynn's victory in the leadership election, Pete Wishart, Chris Law and Stewart McDonald resigned from the frontbench.
Members
Frontbench July 2024–May 2026 Following the 2024 general election, the frontbench was reshuffled. +Portfolio SpokespersonGroup LeaderStephen Flynn Deputy LeaderConstitutionHome AffairsPete Wishart Chief WhipWork and PensionsKirsty Blackman Business and TradeInternational DevelopmentChris Law MPCabinet OfficeCulture, Media and SportMiddle EastBrendan O'Hara MPDefenceEconomyDave Doogan MPEnvironment, Food and Rural AffairsHealth and Social CareGraham Leadbitter MPInternational AffairsScotlandStephen Gethins MP
Frontbench 2023–2024 On 4 September 2023, Flynn reshuffled the frontbench. +Portfolio SpokespersonGroup LeaderStephen Flynn Deputy LeaderMhairi Black Chief WhipOwen Thompson House of Commons BusinessDeidre Brock EconomyDrew Hendry Levelling UpAnum Qaisar Social JusticeDavid Linden Home AffairsAlison Thewliss Justice and ImmigrationChris Stephens Attorney GeneralPatricia Gibson Europe and EU AccessionAlyn Smith Science, Innovation, Technology and EducationCarol Monaghan ScotlandTommy Sheppard International DevelopmentAnne McLaughlin Foreign AffairsBrendan O'Hara Women and EqualitiesKirsten Oswald Environment, Farming, Agriculture and Rural AffairsSteven Bonnar Cabinet OfficeKirsty Blackman Business and Trade, Northern Ireland and WalesRichard Thomson HealthAmy Callaghan TransportGavin Newlands Energy Security and Net ZeroDave Doogan Digital, Culture, Media and SportJohn Nicolson DefenceMartin Docherty-Hughes
Frontbench 2022–2023 +Portfolio SpokespersonGroup LeaderStephen Flynn Deputy LeaderMhairi Black Chief WhipMartin Docherty-Hughes EconomyStewart Hosie Social JusticeDavid Linden Home AffairsAlison Thewliss Justice and ImmigrationStuart McDonald ScotlandPhilippa Whitford Europe and EU AccessionAlyn Smith Foreign AffairsDrew Hendry Environment, Food and Rural AffairsPatricia Gibson Women and EqualitiesKirsten Oswald International Trade, Northern Ireland and WalesRichard Thomson Energy and Industrial StrategyAlan Brown Digital, Culture, Media and SportJohn Nicolson DefenceDave Doogan House of Commons BusinessDeidre Brock Levelling UpChris Stephens Cabinet OfficeKirsty Blackman TransportGavin Newlands HealthMartyn Day International DevelopmentBrendan O'Hara EducationCarol Monaghan
References