Third Sturgeon government

Scottish Government from 2021 to 2023

Third Sturgeon government

9th Government of Scotland
2021 – 2023

Sturgeon's cabinet socially distanced outside Bute House, 2021

Date formed| 19 May 2021
Date dissolved| 28 March 2023
People and organisations
Monarch| Elizabeth II
Charles III
First Minister| Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister's history| 2014–2023
Deputy First Minister| John Swinney
No. of ministers| 27
Total no. of members| 27
Member parties|

* Scottish National Party
* Scottish Greens (August 2021–March 2023)

Status in legislature| Majority (coalition)
cooperation and confidence and supply agreement between the SNP and the Greens
71 / 129 (55%)

(August 2021–March 2023)

Minority

64 / 129 (50%)

(May–August 2021)

Opposition cabinet| Opposition Parties
Opposition party|

* Scottish Conservative

Opposition leader| Douglas Ross
History
Election| 2021 Scottish Parliament election
Legislature term| 6th Scottish Parliament
Predecessor| Second Sturgeon government
Successor| First Yousaf government

Nicola Sturgeon formed the third Sturgeon government following her Scottish National Party's victory in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. Sturgeon was nominated by a vote of the 6th Scottish Parliament for appointment to the post of First Minister on 18 May 2021 and announced the formation of a new Scottish National Party minority government on 19 May.[1]

Sturgeon is the first First Minister to form a third government. Her cabinet, like her previous two, is 50/50 gender neutral. On 31 August 2021, the SNP and Scottish Greens entered a power-sharing arrangement which resulted in the appointment of two Green MSPs as junior ministers in the government, delivery of a shared policy platform, and Green support for the government on votes of confidence and supply.[2][3]

Following Sturgeon’s decision to resign as Scottish First Minister and Leader of the SNP in February 2023, her government continued in a caretaker capacity until her successor, Humza Yousaf, was elected by the party at the end of the following month.

## History

[edit]

In the May 2021 Scottish Parliament election, the Scottish National Party (SNP) won 64 of the 129 seats contested.[4] Incumbent First Minister Nicola Sturgeon soon afterwards announced her intention to form a minority government. She was nominated for the post of first minister by a vote of the Scottish Parliament on 18 May, defeating Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie by 64 votes to 31 and 4 respectively.

Long standing ministers Jeane Freeman, Michael Russell, Roseanna Cunningham and Aileen Campbell did not seek re-election to the 6th Scottish Parliament, with Fiona Hyslop and Fergus Ewing standing down from government.[5] This left Sturgeon with many empty posts.

Shortly after being elected, Sturgeon re-appointed John Swinney as Deputy First Minister of Scotland and also appointed him the newly created Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery post.[6] Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes, Shirley-Anne Somerville and Michael Matheson all remained in government. Shona Robison and Keith Brown made a return to cabinet, having previously served in Sturgeon's governments. Only Mairi Gougeon and Angus Robertson were new to cabinet. The Scottish Parliament confirmed the appointment of ministers and junior ministers on 20 May.[7]

The first meeting of the third Sturgeon government at St Andrews House, 2021

In May 2021, both the Lord Advocate, James Wolffe, and Solicitor General for Scotland, Alison Di Rollo, announced their intention to step down as Scotland's top law officers.[8] On 17 June, Sturgeon nominated Dorothy Bain QC to serve as Lord Advocate and Ruth Charteris QC to serve as Solicitor General. This is the first time in history both posts have been held by women.[9]

On 20 August 2021, following two months of negotiations, the SNP and Scottish Greens announced a new power-sharing agreement.[10][11] While not an official coalition, it would be the first time in both Scottish and UK history that Green politicians would be in government.[12][13] The Greens hold two ministerial posts.[14] The agreement will see both parties pledge for a second referendum on Scottish independence, an increase investment in active travel and public transport, enhancing tenants rights, a ten-year £500m Just Transition and establishing a National Care Service.[15][16]

On 21 February 2023, Sturgeon chaired her final meeting of her third cabinet following her resignation the previous month.[17] It was also Deputy First Minister John Swinney's final attendance to a Scottish Cabinet, having announced his retirement from government after serving under First Minister Alex Salmond and Sturgeon from 2007 until 2023.[18] Swinney later became First Minister in May 2024 following the 2024 Scottish government crisis that led to the resignation of First Minister Yousaf.

## Cabinet

[edit]

|  |

This article is part of
a series about

Nicola Sturgeon

|

* Political positions
* Electoral history
* MSP for Glasgow Southside

* * *

Deputy First Minister of Scotland

* * *

Salmond Ministry

* 2004 deputy leadership election

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing

* Tobacco sale restrictions
* Minimum unit pricing

Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Capital Investment and Cities

* Independence referendum
* Votes at 16
* 2014 Scottish independence referendum

* * *

First Minister of Scotland

* * *

First Ministry and Term

* 2014 leadership election
* Revenue Scotland
* LBTT
* SLfT
* Community right to buy

* * *

Second Ministry and Term

* 2016 Scottish election
* Proposed second independence referendum
* Brexit referendum
* People's Vote
* Social Security Scotland
* Scottish National Investment Bank
* COVID-19 pandemic

* * *

Third Ministry and Term

* 2021 Scottish election
* Bute House Agreement
* COP26

Ferry fiasco
* Operation Branchform
* Cost of living crisis
* Bin worker strikes
* ScotRail strikes
* 2023 proposed independence referendum
* 2022 Supreme Court referral
* Gender reform bill
* Resignation
* 2023 leadership election

* * *

UK General elections

* 2015
* 2017
* 2019

* * *

* * *

* v
* t
* e

### May 2021 – March 2023

[edit]

III Cabinet of Nicola Sturgeon  Portfolio  | Portrait  | Minister  | Term

|
|
|

Cabinet secretaries
First Minister |  | The Rt Hon

Nicola Sturgeon MSP

| 2014–2023
Deputy First Minister |  | John Swinney MSP | 2014–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery | 2021–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy |  | Kate Forbes MSP | 2020–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care |  | Humza Yousaf MSP | 2021–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills |  | Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP | 2021–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport |  | Michael Matheson MSP | 2018–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans |  | Keith Brown MSP | 2021–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government |  | Shona Robison MSP | 2021–2023
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands |  | Mairi Gougeon MSP | 2021–2023
Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture |  | The Rt Hon. Angus Robertson MSP | 2021–2023
Also attending cabinet meetings[19][a][b]
Permanent Secretary |  | John-Paul Marks | 2022–2023
Minister for Parliamentary Business |  | George Adam MSP | 2021–2023
Lord Advocate |  | The Rt Hon. Dorothy Bain KC | 2021–2023

#### Changes

[edit]

* Leslie Evans stood down as the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government in January 2022 and was replaced by John-Paul Marks.

## List of junior ministers

[edit]

### May 2021 – March 2023

[edit]

### Junior ministers

[edit]

Post  | Minister  | Political Party  | Term
Minister for Drugs Policy | Angela Constance MSP |  | SNP | 2020–2023
Minister for Parliamentary Business | George Adam MSP |  | SNP | 2021–2023
Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work | Richard Lochhead MSP |  | SNP | 2021–2023
Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise | Ivan McKee MSP |  | SNP | 2021–2023
Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth | Tom Arthur MSP |  | SNP | 2021–2023
Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport | Maree Todd MSP |  | SNP | 2021–2023
Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care | Kevin Stewart MSP |  | SNP | 2021–2023
Minister for Children and Young People | Clare Haughey MSP |  | SNP | 2021–2023
Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training | Jamie Hepburn MSP |  | SNP | 2021–2023
Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform | Mairi McAllan MSP |  | SNP | 2021–2023
Minister for Transport | Graeme Dey MSP |  | SNP | 2021–2022
Jenny Gilruth MSP |  | SNP | 2022-2023
Minister for Community Safety | Ash Regan MSP |  | SNP | 2021–October 2022
Elena Whitham MSP |  | SNP | November 2022-2023
Minister for Equalities and Older People | Christina McKelvie MSP |  | SNP | 2018–2023
Minister for Social Security and Local Government | Ben MacPherson MSP |  | SNP | 2021–2023
Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development

Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine

| Neil Gray MSP |  | SNP | 2022–2023
Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights | Patrick Harvie MSP |  | Scottish Green | 2021–2023
Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity | Lorna Slater MSP |  | Scottish Green | 2021–2023

#### Changes

[edit]

* Graeme Dey resigned as Minister for Transport and was replaced by Jenny Gilruth, the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development. Gilruth was succeeded by Neil Gray who was appointed Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine.
* Ash Regan resigned as Minister for Community Safety in October 2022.[20][21] Elena Whitham was appointed as the new Minister for Community Safety in November 2022.[22]

## Scottish Law Officers

[edit]

### Law officers[23]

[edit]

Post  | Name  | Portrait  | Term
Lord Advocate | The Rt Hon. Dorothy Bain KC |  | 2021–2023
Solicitor General for Scotland | Ruth Charteris KC |  | 2021–2023

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The following members also attend the Scottish Cabinet, however, some are not required to attend every meeting.
2. ^ The Co-leaders of the Scottish Greens also attend cabinet twice a year as part of the Bute House Agreement

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Nicola Sturgeon re-elected as Scotland's first minister". BBC News. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
2. ^ "SNP and Greens agree new power-sharing deal". BBC News. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
3. ^ "DRAFT COOPERATION AGREEMENT between THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT and THE SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP" (PDF). gov.scot. 20 August 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 August 2021.
4. ^ "Scottish election 2021: Nicola Sturgeon celebrates 'historic' SNP election win". BBC News. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
5. ^ Ross, Calum (19 May 2021). "Cabinet Reshuffle: Fergus Ewing and Fiona Hyslop leave top posts". Press and Journal. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
6. ^ "John Swinney to be minister for Covid recovery". BBC News. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
7. ^ "Business Motion". The Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
8. ^ "Scotland's lord advocate and solicitor general resign". BBC News. 23 May 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
9. ^ "Holyrood appoints women as Scotland's top lawyers for the first time". The National. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
10. ^ "SNP-Greens deal pledges indyref2 within five years". BBC News. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
11. ^ Davidson, Peter (20 August 2021). "SNP and Greens negotiate deal to form power-sharing government at Holyrood". Daily Record. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
12. ^ "Co-operation deal between SNP and Greens to be revealed this week". The National. 15 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
13. ^ "Scotland: SNP and Scottish Greens' power-sharing agreement is 'groundbreaking', Nicola Sturgeon says". Sky News. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
14. ^ "Scottish Greens enter government as deal done with SNP". STV News. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
15. ^ "What does the SNP-Green deal mean for Scotland?". Largs and Millport Weekly News. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
16. ^ "Working Together to Build A Greener, Fairer, Independent Scotland" (PDF). Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
17. ^ Meighan, Craig (21 March 2023). "Nicola Sturgeon chairs last ever cabinet meeting as First Minister". STV News. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
18. ^ McCall, Chris (2 March 2023). "John Swinney to quit Scottish Government after almost 16 years". Daily Record. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
19. ^ "Cabinet and Ministers". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
20. ^ "SNP minister QUITS in protest over transgender law reform bid". The National. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
21. ^ "SNP Minister Ash Regan resigns over Scottish Government gender recognition reforms". The Daily Record. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
22. ^ "New Minister announced". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
23. ^ "Law Officer appointments - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 19 June 2021.

* v
* t
* e

Scottish Parliaments and Governments

1st Parliament (1999–2003)|

* Dewar (1999-2000)
* McLeish (2000-01)
* McConnell I (2001-03)

2nd Parliament (2003–07)|

* McConnell II (2003-07)

3rd Parliament (2007–11)|

* Salmond I (2007-11)

4th Parliament (2011–16)|

* Salmond II (2011-14)
* Sturgeon I (2014-16)

5th Parliament (2016-21)|

* Sturgeon II (2016-21)

6th Parliament (2021-26)|

* Sturgeon III (2021-23)
* Yousaf I (2023-2024)
* Yousaf II (2024)
* Swinney (2024-present)

* v
* t
* e

Nicola Sturgeon

* First Minister of Scotland (2014–2023)
* Deputy First Minister of Scotland (2007–2014)
* Leader of the Scottish National Party (2014–2023)
* Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party (2004–2014)
* Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities (2012–2014)
* Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing (2007–2012)
* MP for Glasgow Southside (2011–present)
* MP for Glasgow Govan (2007–2011)
* MP for Glasgow (1999–2007)

Premiership|

* Governments
* First
* Second
* Third
* COVID-19 pandemic
* Proposed second Scottish independence referendum
* Scottish National Party–Scottish Greens agreement
* 2022 Scotland bin strikes

Deptuy Premiership|

* Edinburgh Agreement
* Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013

Electoral history|

* 2004 (party depute leadership)
* 2014 (party leadership)
* 2015 (UK general)
* 2016 (Scotland)
* 2017 (local)
* 2017 (UK general)
* 2019 (European)
* 2019 (UK general)
* 2019 (Scotland)

Family|

* Peter Murrell (husband)

Related|

* Scottish National Party
* Alex Salmond sexual harassment scandal
* Timeline
* Operation Branchform

* Category:Nicola Sturgeon

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Scottish National Party

Leadership|

| Leaders|

* MacEwen
* Gibb
* Power
* Young
* Watson
* McIntyre
* Halliday
* Donaldson
* Wolfe
* Wilson
* Salmond
* Swinney
* Salmond
* Sturgeon
* Yousaf
* Swinney

|

Depute leaders|

* Milne
* Wolfe
* Leslie
* Henderson
* Wilson
* MacDonald
* Henderson
* Fairlie
* Ewing
* Salmond
* Morgan
* Sillars
* Macartney
* Swinney
* Cunningham
* Sturgeon
* Hosie
* Robertson
* Brown

Parliamentary leaders|

| Scottish Parliament|

* Salmond
* Swinney
* Sturgeon
* Salmond
* Sturgeon
* Yousaf
* Swinney

|

House of Commons|

* Stewart
* Ewing
* Morgan
* Salmond
* Robertson
* Blackford
* Flynn

Presidents|

* Graham
* Muirhead
* Gibson
* McIntyre
* Wolfe
* Stewart
* Ewing
* Hudghton
* Russell

Leadership elections|

| Leader|

* 1967
* 1969
* 1979
* 1990
* 2000
* 2003
* 2004
* 2014
* 2023
* 2024

|

Depute leader|

* 2014
* 2016
* 2018

Administrations|

* Salmond I
* Salmond II
* Sturgeon I
* Sturgeon II
* Sturgeon III
* Yousaf I
* Yousaf II
* Swinney

Predecessors|

* National Party of Scotland
* Scots National League
* Scottish National Movement
* Scottish Party

Related|

* History
* NATO debate
* SNP Students
* SNP Trade Union Group
* Scottish National Party MEPs
* Scottish National Party MSPs
* Scottish National Party MPs
* 2024 Scottish government crisis

* Category
* Politics of Scotland

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