SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
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Front: Alex Salmond & Nicola Sturgeon; Middle row (l-r): Alex Neil, Fiona Hyslop & Bruce Crawford: Back row (l-r): Richard Lochhead, Kenny MacAskill, Michael Russell & John Swinney. Bute House, 6 Charlotte Square. May 2011.
THE CABINET
First Minister: Alex Salmond
Deputy First Minister. Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing & Cities Strategy: Nicola Sturgeon
Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth: John Swinney
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning: Michael Russell
Cabinet Secretary for Parliamentary Business and Government Strategy: Bruce Crawford
Cabinet Secretary for Justice: Kenny MacAskill
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment: Richard Lochhead
Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs: Fiona Hyslop
Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment: Alex Neil
See below for: Full list of Cabinet Secretaries & Ministers * MSPs elected on 5 May 2011 * Government programme Scotland Bill * Referendum * Progress towards Independence
SPRING CONFERENCE 
Sat.10th and Sun.11th March 2012
Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre, GLASGOW
Join us in Glasgow as we outline our plans to create a better Scotland, and hear from all the key players in the 2014 Referendum. Book your place now to ensure you hear the keynote speeches from ALEX SALMOND and NICOLA STURGEON.
For more information: Observers & commercial organisations: Trudi Logan on 0131 525 8910 or trudi.logan@snp.org
Media: Susan Ruddick on 0131 525 8928 or susan.ruddick@snp.org
Members: Membership team on 0131 525 8925 Members click HERE for a day visitor form
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OUR SCOTLAND, OUR REFERENDUM
The Government's consultation document on the Independence Referendum, due to take place in autumn 2014, was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on January 25.
First Minister ALEX SALMOND said in his speech: "Presiding Officer. The people who live in Scotland are the best people to make decisions about their own future. Of that there can be no doubt. In May of last year, those people -- the people of Scotland -- gave the Scottish Government an overwhelming majority, because of a record of good government, a clear vision of the future AND the promise of a referendum on Independence. Today, the Scottish Government has published the consultation paper, Your Scotland, Your Referendum, which sets out how we intend to fulfil that commitment. This document gives the people of Scotland the opportunity to offer their views on how the referendum on our country's future should be carried out. It sets out some key principles on which the referendum will be based: most importantly, that the referendum should meet the highest standards of fairness, transparency and propriety.The most important decision by the people of Scotland in 300 years must be beyond reproach.
"Presiding Officer. Let me begin with the referendum question. The question we intend to put to the Scottish people in the referendum is set out on page 11 of the consultation paper. It is short, straightforward and clear, so let me read it to the Chamber. The question is: Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country? "
Following the statement to Parliament, the First Minister was joined by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Cabinet Secretary Bruce Crawford at an international press conference in the 16th century Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle. The conference was attended by over 70 journalists, photographers and TV crews, eager to hear about our country's drive towards independence. At the same time, Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture & External Affairs, met with representatives of Governments from around the world to discuss Scotland's future.
Your Scotland, Your Referendum. The consultation documents asks for views: 1. On the referendum QUESTION and the design of the ballot paper; 2. On the proposed TIMETABLE and voting arrangements; 3. On the inclusion of a SECOND QUESTION in the referendum, and the voting system that could be used; 4. On the proposal to give the ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT BOARD and its Convener responsibility for the operational management of the referendum; 5. On the proposed division of roles between the Electoral Management Board and the ELECTORAL COMMISSION; 6. On the idea that the referendum could be held on a SATURDAY or on other ways which would facilitate voting; 7. On extending the franchise to those aged 16 AND 17 YEARS who are eligible for inclusion in the electoral registers; 8. On the proposed SPENDING limits; 9. Any other comments.
### A suggestion that the Scotland Bill, currently going through the Westminster Parliament, be amended to give the Scottish Government powers to run a "legally-binding" rather than consultative referendum is unlikely to be adopted. Referenda are nearly always consultative by nature. Proponents have suggested that clauses should be inserted to ensure the plebiscite would be held by a date decided by Westminster, with only one question on the ballot paper: viz. Yes or No to Scottish Independence, and not the two-question option still being considered by the SNP. However, as the Bill has already been rejected by Holyrood's Scotland Bill Committee for other reasons (see below), there is no guarantee that it will ever become law. A Labour peer, Baroness Taylor of Bolton, but born in Motherwell, will also try to amend the Bill to allow Scots living in other parts of the UK to vote in the referendum. The SNP dismissed this idea as the “height of absurdity”, and said it was only those resident in Scotland who had the right to vote on the nation's future.
### Read the CONSULTATION DOCUMENT and record your views at http://www.scotreferendum.com/consultation/
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FOUR STEPS to Independence 
SNP members and supporters are packing meetings of the Independence Referendum Roadshow right across Scotland. Recently, I made presentations in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Dundee, Aberdeen and Brechin. Record attendances and lively question-and-answer sessions underline the enthusiasm for what will be the biggest campaign in the history of Scottish politics. It is noteworthy and heartening how many new or previously inactive members have been at the roadshow meetings.
These meetings are part of Step 1 in a four-stage roadmap to independence that I outlined to the SNP Conference in Inverness last October. Many campaigners are already on Step 2 on the roadmap, which is working with the many supporters of independence who hold no party affiliation, and those in other parties. A great many people are getting in touch with the SNP wanting to help secure a Yes victory. This trend will grow, and we need to welcome people to the campaign.
Steps 3 and 4 of the campaign will take up the most time in the months and years ahead, with targeted efforts at national and local level. We are engaging with different sections of society to raise confidence, optimism and understanding of the independence case. We will reach out within our communities, door-to-door, street-by-street in the most unprecedented campaign of mobilisation and communication by the SNP in the history of Scottish politics.
Professional research tells us that the public are in listening mode, with a great many wanting to be persuaded to vote Yes. With opinion polls showing that support for the SNP has risen to 51%, the standing of the independence party is at an all-time high. Already materials have been produced to support our campaign. At the 2011 SNP Conference, a campaign pack was distributed including the publication Your Scotland, Your Future. The introductory document for the campaign has already been sent to all 21,000 SNP members, and has now been produced as a 56-page pocket-sized guide to our vision of an independent Scotland. Further materials will be rolled out as we gear up in the months ahead. However, the most powerful way to convince and enthuse voters is personal contact with our positive message. Whilst other parties are being negative about Scotland, we will maintain our upbeat, optimistic approach.
This is an exciting, transformative period for Scotland. Together we will engage with Scottish society at the grassroots in our communities and at a national level. It will be a big challenge to match our ambitions, but we proved in 2007 and 2011 that we can achieve our goals and surpass expectations. As the Independence Referendum Roadshow rolls on in 2012, our campaign is going up the gears across Scotland. We all have a part to play. Let's make this success happen and change Scotland for the better. For everyone who lives here and for future generations to come.
Abridged from an article by ANGUS ROBERTSON MP, the SNP's Independence Referendum Campaign Director, in the Jan.-Feb. 2012 issue of Independence magazine.
### Read about Independence magazine at www.facebook.com/snpindependencemagazine or subscribe at http://my.snp.org/independence_magazine
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SCOTLAND BILL is rejected by Holyrood Committee 
The UK Government published its latest Scotland Bill, to little acclaim, on St. Andrew's Day 2010. It is largely based on recommendations put forward by the CALMAN COMMISSION, a diversionary red herring hurriedly thought up by the unionist parties after the SNP achieved power in 2007. Since then, the Bill has slowly trundled its way through the Westminster Parliament. Its "Committee Stage", in the unelected House of Lords, commenced on January 26.
The Bill offers only minimal concessions to Scotland's aspirations, namely:
- A Scottish income tax to replace part of the UK income tax
- The devolution of stamp duty, land tax and landfill tax
- The power to create or devolve other taxes to the Scottish Parliament
- New borrowing powers
- A Scottish cash reserve to manage fluctuations in devolved tax receipts
- Proposals for Scottish and UK ministers to work together on a new UK-Scottish tax committee
plus "trinkets" like control over drink-drive and speeding laws and airgun legislation. Miniscule devolutionary hand-downs like these have been rendered worthless by the SNP Government's massive endorsement on 5 May 2011. The Bill's tax plans, in particular, have been savaged by a number of respected academics and economists. For instance, Professors Andrew Hughes-Hallett and Andrew Scott have described the proposals as “deeply flawed” and claim that they could, in fact, severely damage the Scottish economy. ALEX SALMOND describes the Scotland Bill as "unloved, uninspiring, and not even understood by its own proponents. The UK Government hasn’t even gone through the motions of considering the views of the Scottish Government or the Scottish people."
Before it could become law, the Bill had to be examined by Holyrood's Scotland Bill Committee, which is under the convenership of LINDA FABIANI MSP (pictured). The Committee had already taken evidence from Michael Moore, the totally unnecessary Secretary of State for Scotland, who initially confirmed that, had the Bill's 10p tax proposals been implemented in 1999, the Scottish Parliament’s budget would have been £691million less in the period to 2010-11. However, when questioned about that figure on 8 September 2011, the Liberal Democrat MP said: “I do not accept that it will be worse off. I will happily repeat that, however many times I have to do it.”
On 15 December 2011, the Scotland Bill Committee said it was "unable to recommend" that MSPs support the UK Government's legislation to transfer new powers to the Scottish Parliament, and that the Bill was "not yet fit for purpose". Ms Fabiani said that there were "elements of the Bill which the whole Committee can welcome. However, overall, we believe that the Bill does not go far enough; and its provisions, if enacted,
represent a significant risk to public finances in Scotland. Our report concludes that whilst the Bill delivers a very limited amount of financial accountability, it does not deliver what Scotland needs, which is full fiscal autonomy." SNP members of the Committee wanted the package to include the devolution of full tax powers, plus welfare and benefits. The response from the unionists was all too predictable. Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat members said it would be "perverse" to reject the new powers. Surprisingly, however, all members agreed that control over the Crown Estate should be transferred to Scotland. The UK Government has said it will not pass the Bill unless it receives prior consent from the Scottish Parliament.
### You can read the COMMITTEE REPORT & RECOMMENDATIONS of the Scotland Bill Committee at www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/45318.aspx
### The Scottish Government has proposed a range of fundamental changes to the Scotland Bill. You can see the six POLICY PAPERS in detail at www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/constitution/docstoreconstitution2011
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HUGE DONATION for referendum campaign
On 20 November 2011, a record-breaking donation to the SNP was announced, when COLIN & CHRISTINE WEIR pledged £1million to the independence referendum campaign. The couple, from Largs, Ayrshire, were the winners of a record jackpot of £161MILLION in the EuroMillions lottery on July 12.
Colin Weir (64), a former STV cameraman, is a life member and lifetime supporter of the SNP. He was a candidate in the 1987 UK General Election, and also helped with party political broadcasts in the 1980s. Mrs. Weir said: “We have been supporters of the SNP for a long time, but this is about more than party politics. Every society, every country should have the right and the opportunity to determine its own path, and that’s something I’ve believed in strongly for a long time. We want to give the people of Scotland a fair chance in the referendum campaign. That’s why we are supporting the SNP now and into the independence referendum. The only people with the right to decide Scotland’s future are the people of Scotland themselves, and we want to support the SNP and the referendum campaign in helping Scotland make that decision fairly. “ The party's largest-ever cash injection will enable it to have a fighting fund of several millions for its Say Yes campaign.
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NICOLA STURGEON talks independence
In its scale, scope and ambition, the SNP's Referendum campaign will be totally unprecedented in Scottish political history. The party's activists and growing membership are ready to play their part, but this will be a campaign that stretches far beyond the ranks of our party, to incorporate all sections of Scottish society. The decision on independence will, of course, be one for the people. And in order for them to be properly informed about the choices that lie before them, it is crucial they are properly informed of the facts. Facts are something that have been sadly lacking from the anti-independence side in the debate on Scotland’s constitutional future over the years. Myths, fantasy dressed up as fact, and downright falsehoods have been allowed to permeate the discussion on how Scotland would fare as an independent country. Thankfully, the people of Scotland are increasingly seeing through these attempts to talk down their own ability to make a success of themselves, their communities and their country.
To take one of the most repeated, pernicious and damaging myths head-on. There can no longer be any doubt that Scotland more than pays its own way in the UK. The latest Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland reports shows that our country has run a current BUDGET SURPLUS in four of the five years to 2009-10, while the UK was in current budget deficit in each of these years, and hasn’t run a current budget surplus since 2001-02. We account for 8.4 per cent of the UK population, but in 2009-10 contributed 9.4 per cent of overall UK TAX REVENUE -- £1,000 extra for every man, woman and child in Scotland. The international comparisons also bear out the fact that we are more than capable of paying our way. Our ratio of debt to GDP as an independent country would be lower than the EU and G7 averages. One of the reasons, of course, for that healthy position in comparison to other leading industrialised nations is that Scotland has a £trillion asset base in the form of our remaining abundant North Sea OIL AND GAS reserves. And here we run into another myth: the suggestion that Scotland’s oil wealth is dwindling fast, nearly depleted and not worth factoring into future economic assumptions. As recent announcements have shown, nothing could be further from the truth. It is calculated that more than half of the total value of North Sea reserves have yet to be extracted. BP’s recent announcement of its major investment in the Clair Field west of Shetland even prompted David Cameron to admit that Scotland’s oil will be flowing for “many, many years” to come.
It is imperative that it is Scotland that benefits from the next 40 years of offshore activity, rather than another four decades of our wealth pouring into Westminster coffers. The Unionist case has now resorted to claims that, even with its North Sea wealth, an independent Scotland would have had a £41billion deficit between 1981 and 2010, and is therefore dependent on a generous Tory Treasury. The truth is the opposite. What Scottish Secretary Michael Moore neglected to tell people, when he recently recycled this attack previously used by Labour’s Jim Murphy, was that the UK ran a deficit of more than £715billion over the same period. In other words, we are in a far, far stronger position than the rest of the UK. We are actually in SURPLUS, relative to the UK as a whole, to the tune of £19billion -- and by the Unionist parties own risible logic, Britain could not possibly afford to be independent.
One of the most preposterous myths peddled about an independent Scotland is that we would not continue to be members of the EUROPEAN UNION. For a start, we are already an integral part of the EU and, as an independent state, would be in exactly the same position as the rest of the UK as a successor state. Legal and constitutional experts, including Eamonn Gallagher, a former Director General of the European Commission, and Lord Mackenzie-Stuart, a former President of the European Court of Justice, both confirmed that an independent Scotland would continue in EU membership. And how could it be otherwise, when our country has such a massive share of the entire continent’s energy reserves, including oil and renewables? The fact is that the last major EU expansion in 2004 saw 10 new countries join –- six of them smaller than Scotland, and six of which have become independent since 1990. Allied to the other EU myths is the canard that an independent Scotland would be forced to set up border posts and customs barriers. The reality, in 21st century Europe, is that you can drive from the Arctic Circle to the shores of the Mediterranean without encountering a single border post, and Scotland would be no different.
It is in the INTERNATIONAL sphere that we find some of the most insulting myths about our nation's capacity to contribute fully as a member of the global community. And one of the worst examples of this came last week when Michael Moore suggested that an independent Scotland would not have been able to participate in the recent UN-approved, NATO-led Libyan mission. The fact is that 17 countries took part in the operation to protect the people of Libya from Gaddafi’s regime, including a range of smaller nations such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway -- and non-NATO countries including Sweden. Denmark, a nation of almost identical population to Scotland, undertook almost as many air sorties as the UK. Scotland’s ability to make its own way in the world should not be doubted. Nor should our ability to take the best decisions in our own interests.
The referendum, when it comes, will allow people to make their own minds up on what kind of future they want. And it is essential, when that time comes, that the unionist-inspired myths about independence are quashed once and for all.
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CONSULTATION on Referendum 
This is the concluding part of ALEX SALMOND's speech to the SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT, on the publication of the Your Scotland, Your Referendum document on 25 January 2012.
Presiding Officer. The next two and a half years promise to be the most exciting in Scotland’s modern history. At the end of that period, in autumn 2014, people the length and breadth of our country will have their say in Scotland’s independence referendum. Independence, in essence, is based on a simple idea: the people who care most about Scotland, that is the people who live, work and bring up their families in Scotland, should be the ones taking the decisions about our nation’s future.
No-one else is going to do a better job of making Scotland a success. No-one else has the same stake in our future. The people of Scotland should be in charge. Independence will give us the opportunity to take different decisions – to implement policies designed for Scotland’s needs. And that means we will be able to make Scotland the country we all know it can be – a wealthier and fairer nation. A country that speaks with its own voice, stands taller in the world, and takes responsibility for its own future. Independence is about Scotland rejoining the family of nations in our own right. We can be both independent and inter-dependent: we can stand on our own two feet, while working closely with other nations, our friends and neighbours. When the United Nations was formed, there were just over 50 independent countries in the world. Today, that figure has risen to almost 200. Of the 10 countries that joined the European Union in 2004, a majority had become independent since 1990, and Scotland is bigger than six of them. All of these nations now have a seat at Europe’s top table - a right Scotland should enjoy too.
Scotland’s home rule journey is clearly part of a bigger international trend. After all, independence is what we seek as individuals – whether it is buying our first car or our own home. It is the natural state for people and nations around the world. Not being independent is the exception. This Parliament in Edinburgh already takes all the important decisions when it comes to running our schools, hospitals, police and much else besides. Independence will mean we are also responsible for raising our own money. Scotland is a land of unlimited potential. Its culture, history and reputation for innovation are renowned throughout the world; its universities are world-class and its energy resources are unrivalled in Europe. Indeed, on current figures, we would have the sixth highest GDP per capita in the OECD.
With independence we will have a new social union with the other nations of these islands and will continue to share Her Majesty the Queen as Head of State. But we won’t have our young servicemen and women dragged into illegal wars like Iraq, and we won’t have nuclear weapons based in Scottish waters. Independence will create a new, more modern relationship between the nations of the British Isles – a partnership of equals. I want Scotland to be independent not because I think we are better than any other country but because I know we are just as good as any other country.
Like these other nations, our future, our resources and our success should be in our own hands.
### You can see and hear the whole speech at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7KUKEwpwQ4
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GOVERNING SCOTLAND
Because of the continuing restrictions imposed by DEVOLUTION, the Scottish Government is not permitted to utilise all of the nation's resources for the benefit of the people. Currently, the Holyrood Government is almost wholly dependent on block grants or "pocket money" from London.
This means that the ambitions of our Government are necessarily constrained by British recessions and the ever-decreasing funds being made available by the Westminster Treasury. However, careful budgeting by Finance Secretary JOHN SWINNEY will enable key legislation to be enacted this year.
Legislative priorities for 2011-2012 will be as set out in the following BILLS:--
BUDGET The annual Budget Bill provides Parliamentary approval for the Scottish Government's spending plans, allowing the allocation of resources to our strategic objectives and supporting progress towards our vision of a more successful country. With opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish through increasing sustainable economic growth.
WATER We are committed to making Scotland a hydro-nation. Our water resource is significant and, in a world demanding more food and water, there is good reason to nurture our water for our long-term sustainable use. The utility will remain in public ownership.
POLICE & FIRE REFORM We will bring forward legislation to establish a single national service for police and a single service for fire & rescue. Reform will protect and improve local community services.
ALCOHOL MINIMUM PRICING The Bill will introduce minimum pricing as a condition of licences granted under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, as this is an efficient and effective way to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland. The actual minimum unit price will be specified in subordinate legislation.
SELF-DIRECTED SUPPORT The Social Care (Self-Directed Support) Bill will help to underpin new models of support, placing greater control and responsibility in the hands of citizens and thereby enhancing people's independence and wellbeing.
COUNCIL TAX ON EMPTY HOMES & HOUSING SUPPORT GRANT Legislation will be brought forward to help ensure that funding for housing is used more efficiently. The proposed Bill will enable Councils to add an additional levy to the Council Tax due for long-term empty properties.
OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR, FOOTBALL DISORDER & SECTARIAN ABUSE This will criminalise behaviour which is threatening, hateful or otherwise offensive to a reasonable person and incites disorder at a regulated football match, and will include offensive singing or chanting. The Bill also criminalises the communication of threats of serious violence and threats intended to incite religious hatred, whether sent through the post or posted on the internet.
RIGHTS OF CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE To establish in law the responsibility of the Government to have due regard to the UNCRC when carrying out its functions, we will consult on proposals for a Rights of Children and Young People Bill.
LAND REGISTRATION This aims to strengthen the system of land registration in Scotland that has evolved in practice since the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979.
LEGAL AID & CIVIL JUSTICE COUNCIL This will make provision for the levying of financial contributions in criminal legal aid, ensuring that those who are able to pay a contribution to the costs of their defence do so. It will also establish a Scottish Civil Justice Council to replace the existing civil rules councils and support improvements to the civil justice system.
SCOTTISH CRIMINAL CASES REVIEW COMMISSION This will provide an appropriate legislative framework for the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission to consider the release of a statement of reasons in circumstances where an appeal has been abandoned.
AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS (Amendment) This will implement the outstanding recommendations from the Tenant Farming Forum.
LONG LEASES We will reintroduce this Bill, which was considered in the last Parliament but ran out of time. It will implement a report by the Scottish Law Commission, and will simplify and clarify land tenure in Scotland.
AQUACULTURE & FISHERIES We are developing consultation proposals with a view to legislation on management measures for farmed fish, wild salmon and freshwater fisheries.
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND This will enable the NLS to update and develop its services and functions for the 21st century, responding to the changing needs of its customers. The Bill will also reform governance arrangements which were established in 1925 by reducing the size of the Board, remove reserved places, and ensure all appointments are made by Scottish Ministers based on merit and selection.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (Amendment) This will propose amendments to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, intended to add strength and clarity to the Act.
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visit our NATIONAL websites
Media centre * About us * SNP Members * Shop * People * Blog * Vision * Popular policies * Achievements * SNP in action * Progress towards INDEPENDENCE * Get involved * Donate * Join the SNP * Together we can make Scotland better!
www.snp.org/ is the SNP's main website. Updated daily, so you will be able to catch up with all the latest national news of the party and people. To look at older news, click on BLOG, then on IN THE ARCHIVE at the foot of the page.
www.scotreferendum.com/.../ is the REFERENDUM website. Progress on the achievement of a YES vote in 2014.
www.scotlandforward.net/ The Your Scotland, Your Future booklet can be read and downloaded.
Note: SNP MEMBERSHIP has soared since the UK Government sought to interfere in our Independence Referendum. Now is a good time to take Scotland's side. Don't live in Scotland, but would like to help? You can still join the party if you are in Southampton, Swansea, Sligo, San Francisco, Sydney, Stockholm, Singapore....or anywhere else!
Click on http://www.snp.org/join
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Cabinet Secretaries & Ministers
First Minister.........................................................................................................................................ALEX SALMOND
Deputy First Minister. Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing & Cities Strategy...............................NICOLA STURGEON
Minister for Commonwealth Games & Sport: Shona Robison
Minister for Public Health: Michael Matheson
Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment & Sustainable Growth....................................................JOHN SWINNEY
Minister for Energy, Enterprise & Tourism: Fergus Ewing
Minister for Local Government & Planning: Derek Mackay
Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning...........................................................................MICHAEL RUSSELL
Minister for Children & Young People: Aileen Campbell
Minister for Youth Employment: Angela Constance
Minister for Learning & Skills: Alasdair Allan
Cabinet Secretary for Justice.................................................................................................................KENNY MacASKILL
Minister for Community Safety & Legal Affairs: Roseanna Cunningham
Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure & Capital Investment.....................................................................ALEX NEIL
Minister for Housing & Transport: Keith Brown
Cabinet Secretary for Parliamentary Business & Government Strategy.................................................BRUCE CRAWFORD
Minister for Parliamentary Business & Chief Whip: Brian Adam
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & the Environment...........................................................................RICHARD LOCHHEAD
Minister for the Environment & Climate Change: Stewart Stevenson
Cabinet Secretary for Culture & External Affairs.....................................................................................FIONA HYSLOP
LAW OFFICERS 
Lord Advocate: Frank Mulholland QC
Solicitor General: Lesley Thomson
*** To see responsibilities of Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers click on www.scotland.gov.uk/About/14944/Scottish-Cabinet
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General Election : 5 May 2011 
73 candidates (45.4%) and 53 Constituency MSPs: Kevin Stewart* (Aberdeen Central), Brian Adam (Aberdeen Donside), Maureen Watt+ (Aberdeen South & North Kincardine), Alex Salmond (Aberdeenshire East), Dennis Robertson+ (Aberdeenshire West), Alex Neil* (Airdrie & Shotts), Angela Constance (Almond Valley), Nigel Don (Angus North & Mearns), Graeme Dey (Angus South), Michael Russell (Argyll & Bute), Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire & Buchan Coast), Rob Gibson+ (Caithness, Sutherland & Ross), Adam Ingram* (Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley), Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire & Dunblane), Gil Paterson* (Clydebank & Milngavie), Aileen Campbell* (Clydesdale), Jamie Hepburn* (Cumbernauld & Kilsyth), Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North), Margaret Burgess* (Cunninghame South), Shona Robison (Dundee City East), Joe Fitzpatrick (Dundee City West), Bill Walker+ (Dunfermline), Linda Fabiani* (East Kilbride), Marco Biagi* (Edinburgh Central), Kenny MacAskill (Edinburgh Eastern), Gordon MacDonald< (Edinburgh Pentlands), Jim Eadie+ (Edinburgh Southern), Colin Keir+ (Edinburgh Western), Angus MacDonald* (Falkirk East), Michael Matheson (Falkirk West), Tricia Marwick (Fife,Mid & Glenrothes), Roderick Campbell+ (Fife North-East), Bill Kidd* (Glasgow Anniesland), James Dornan* (Glasgow Cathcart), Sandra White* (Glasgow Kelvin), John Mason* (Glasgow Shettleston), Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow Southside), Christina McKelvie* (Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse), Fergus Ewing (Inverness & Nairn), Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock & Irvine Valley), David Torrance* (Kirkcaldy), Fiona Hyslop* (Linlithgow), Colin Beattie* (Midlothian North & Musselburgh), Christine Grahame+ (Midlothian South, Tweeddale & Lauderdale), Richard Lochhead (Moray), Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar), George Adam* (Paisley), John Swinney (Perthshire North), Roseanna Cunningham (Perthshire South & Kinross-shire), Derek Mackay* (Renfrewshire North & West), Dave Thompson+ (Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch), Bruce Crawford (Stirling), Fiona McLeod* (Strathkelvin & Bearsden).
*=gains from Labour. +=gains from Liberal Democrats. <=gain from Conservatives.
16 Regional List MSPs (44.0%): North-East: Mark McDonald. Highlands & Islands: John Finnie, Mike MacKenzie & Jean Urquhart. West: Stuart McMillan & Stewart Maxwell. Glasgow: Bob Doris & Humza Yousaf. Central: Clare Adamson, Richard Lyle & John Wilson. Mid & Fife: Annabelle Ewing. Lothian: nil. South: Chic Brodie, Joan McAlpine, Aileen McLeod & Paul Wheelhouse. Total = 69. ALEX SALMOND is First Minister and NICOLA STURGEON Deputy First Minister at head of majority Government. Leader of the Opposition: Iain Gray (Labour). Presiding Officer: Tricia Marwick.
Map colours: SNP (yellow); Labour (red); Conservative (blue); Liberal Democrat (orange).
The 69 MSPs on the steps from the Garden Lobby in the Scottish Parliament. 16 May 2011
