Liberal Democratic Party Spokespersons

'Mr Stephen has been dogged by controversy in recent months. His infamous allegations that the role played by Scottish ministers in calling in the Trump golf plan, after it had been rejected by Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure services committee, 'smelled of sleaze' provoked a lengthy Holyrood inquiry which cleared First Minister Alex Salmond last March. Mr Stephen was also embroiled in a political quagmire over the Aberdeen bypass. Campaigners claimed that he and former transport minister Tavish Scott changed their minds over the route after a meeting with oil tycoon Ian Suttie. And only a few days ago a Holyrood report revealed that he was 'gagged' by civil servants when he tried to secure a £1billion energy institute for Aberdeen. He had made it 'abundantly clear' two years ago that the city was the best location.' David Perry and Joanna Skailes in the Press & Journal, 3 rd July 2008.

Liberal Spokespersons

26 th August 2008 -

Tavish Scott MSP was elected as Scottish Lib Dem leader on the 26 th August 2008 and carried out a reshuffle of the Lib Dem spokespersons on the 31 st August 2008.
Jeremy Purvis, previously education portspokesman, was appointed spokesman on finance and the economy. Margaret Smith was appointed spokeswoman on education and young people, while her old job of justice spokeswoman was given to Robert Brown. Leadership candidate Mike Rumbles was appointed chief whip, with Liam McArthur appointed rural affairs spokesman in his place. Ross Finnie, the other leadership contender, was kept on as health spokesman. Former leader Nicol Stephen was not appointed as a spokesman

	Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party		Parliamentary Business Manager and Chief Whip
	Tavish Scott, MSP		Mike Rumbles, MSP
			Deputy Spokesperson on Gaelic & Highland Culture
			John Farquhar Munro, MSP
	Spokesperson on Education, & Lifelong Learning		Deputy Spokesperson on Schools & Skills
	Margaret Smith, MSP		Hugh O'Donnell, MSP
			Deputy Spokesperson on Children & Early Years
			Jeremy Purvis, MSP
	Spokesperson on Health & Wellbeing		Deputy Spokesperson on Public Health
	Ross Finnie, MSP		Jamie Stone, MSP
	The LibDems had previously announced that Ross Finnie would become a member of the Parliamentary Bureau.
			Deputy Spokesperson on Communities & Sport
			Jim Tolson, MSP
	Spokesperson on Finance & Sustainable Growth		Deputy Spokesperson on Enterprise, Energy & Tourism
	Jeremy Purves, MSP		Liam McArthur, MSP
			Deputy Spokesperson on Transport, Infrastructure & Climate Change
			Alison McInnes, MSP
	Spokesperson on Justice		Deputy Spokesperson on Public Safety
	Robert Brown, MSP		Mike Pringle, MSP
	Spokesperson on Rural Affairs & the Environment		Deputy Spokesperson on the Environment
	Liam McArthur, MSP		Cllr Jim Hume, MSP

Parliamentary Postions

	Member of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
	Mike Pringle MSP
	Member of the Parliamentary Bureau
	Robert Brown MSP

Party Postions

	Convener of the Parliamentary Party
	Iain Smith MSP
	Secretary of the Parliamentary Party
	Alison McInnes MSP

Committee Convenors

	Convenor of the Subordinate Legislation Committee
	Jamie Stone, MSP
	Convenor of the Economy, Energy & Tourism Committee
	Tavish Scott, MSP

Previous Liberal Democrat Spokespersons

• 2 nd July 2008 - 26 th August 2008 Lead by Scottish Lib Dem deputy leader, Michael Moore MP
  
  
• 25 th May 2007 - 2 nd July 2008 Lead by Nicol Stephen MSP
  
  
• May 1999 - May 2007 The Liberal Democrats were led by the Rt Hon Jim Wallace MP MSP and later Nicol Stephen MSP. They were the junior coalition partners of Labour in the Scottish Executive.