Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development was a junior ministerial post in the Scottish Government. As a result, the minister did not attend the Scottish Cabinet.[1] The minister supported the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, a full member of the cabinet.[2] The final Minister was Kaukab Stewart from February-May 2024.

The post was created in September 2012. The role was modified in February 2020 with migration moving to another post, before finally being abolished in May 2024 by John Swinney.

Overview edit

The specific responsibilities of the minister were:[2]

  • International development
  • Post-Brexit Relations
  • Cross government co-ordination on the European Union
  • Fair trade
  • Scottish diaspora

History edit

In September 2012 the position of Minister for External Affairs and International Development was created; the name of the role changed a November 2014 reshuffle when Nicola Sturgeon became First Minister. It was changed again in May 2016, after the 2016 election, and again in June 2018. In May 2024, First Minister John Swinney abolished the role following the formation of his first government.

List of office holders edit

The most recent Minister was Kaukab Stewart, who held the role from February to May 2024.[2]

Deputy Minister for Culture and Sport
NamePortraitEntered OfficeLeft OfficePartyFirst Minister
Rhona Brankin 19 May 19991 November 2000Scottish Labour PartyDonald Dewar
Deputy Minister for Environment, Sport and CultureDeputy Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs
NamePortraitEntered OfficeLeft OfficePartyFirst MinisterNamePortraitEntered OfficeLeft OfficePartyFirst Minister
Allan Wilson 1 November 20008 March 2001Scottish Labour PartyHenry McLeishNicol Stephen 1 November 200028 November 2001Scottish Liberal DemocratsHenry McLeish
Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture
Allan Wilson 8 March 200128 November 2001Scottish Labour PartyHenry McLeish
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport
Elaine Murray28 November 200128 November 2002Labour PartyJack McConnell
Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture
Linda Fabiani 17 May 200710 February 2009Scottish National PartyAlex Salmond
Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution
Michael Russell 10 February 20091 December 2009Scottish National PartyAlex Salmond
Minister for Culture and External Affairs
Fiona Hyslop 1 December 200919 May 2011Scottish National PartyAlex Salmond
Minister for External Affairs and International Development
Humza Yousaf 6 September 201221 November 2014Scottish National PartyAlex Salmond
Minister for Europe and International Development
Humza Yousaf 21 November 201418 May 2016Scottish National PartyNicola Sturgeon
Minister for International Development and Europe
Alasdair Allan 18 May 201627 June 2018Scottish National PartyNicola Sturgeon
Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development
Ben Macpherson 27 June 2018[3]17 February 2020Scottish National PartyNicola Sturgeon
Minister for Europe and International Development
Jenny Gilruth 17 February 202024 January 2022Scottish National PartyNicola Sturgeon
Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development
Neil Gray 24 January 202229 March 2023Scottish National PartyNicola Sturgeon
Christina McKelvie 29 March 20238 February 2024Scottish National PartyHumza Yousaf
Kaukab Stewart 12 February 20248 May 2024Scottish National PartyHumza Yousaf

References edit

  1. ^ Scotland Act (1998), Only those appointed under Section 47 of the Scotland Act "attend" Cabinet. Junior ministers are appointed under Section 49 and may be "present".
  2. ^ a b c "Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development". Scottish Government. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  3. ^ "Who's who in Nicola Sturgeon's reshuffled government". BBC News. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2020.

External links edit