Salmond names his cabinet

The new Scottish Government Cabinet with portfolio responsibilities have been announced.

Not enough time for analysis just now, but on a quick scan I see Nicola Sturgeon has responsibility for the Commonwealth games - that will create a political legacy for her to inherit as well as a sporting one. She is the chosen one.

Welcome Michael Russell to shepherd the Gaelic portifolio though I see language policy is separate from culture, a bit strange.

Richard Lockhead has land reform but John Swinney has the Crown Estate to wrestle with, both the same side of the coin I would say but I hope they tackle them both with vigour. Presuming Richard has crofting to look after too. Mmm, this is more about my political priorities than the goverment's. Heres' the list:


First Minister Alex Salmond MSP
Head of the Scottish Government: responsible for development, implementation and presentation of Government policy, constitutional affairs, and for promoting and representing Scotland.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy Nicola Sturgeon MSP
NHS, health service reform, allied healthcare services, acute and primary services, performance, quality and improvement framework, health promotion, sport, Commonwealth Games, public health, health improvement, pharmaceutical services, food safety and dentistry, community care, older people, mental health, learning disability, carers, substance misuse, social inclusion, equalities, anti-poverty measures, veterans, and cities strategy.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth John Swinney MSP The economy, the Scottish Budget, employment, public service reform, deregulation, local government, public service delivery, and community planning, Registers of Scotland, Scottish Public Pensions Agency, relocation, e-government, budgetary monitoring, business and industry including Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise' trade and inward investment, corporate social responsibility, voluntary sector and the social economy, community business and co-operative development, energy, renewables, tourism, building standards, land use planning system.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Michael Russell MSP
Further and higher education, science and lifelong learning, school education, early years, training and skills, new education agency, the Scottish Qualifications Authority, nurseries and childcare, children's services, children's hearings, social work, Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland, Gaelic and Scots.

Cabinet Secretary for Parliamentary Business and Government Strategy Bruce Crawford MSP Parliamentary affairs and the management of Government business in the Parliament, and developing Government strategy and co-ordinating policy delivery across portfolios.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill MSP
Criminal law and procedure, youth justice, criminal justice social work, police, prisons and sentencing policy, legal aid, legal profession, courts and law reform, anti-social behaviour, sectarianism, human rights, fire and rescue services, community safety, civil contingencies, drugs policy and related matters, liquor licensing, vulnerable witnesses, victim support and civil law, charity law, religious and faith organisations.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead MSP
Agriculture, fisheries and rural development including aquaculture and forestry, environment and natural heritage, land reform, water quality regulation, sustainable development, and climate change.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop MSP
Europe, external affairs, culture and the arts, broadcasting, architecture, built heritage, Historic Scotland and lottery funding, National Records of Scotland, and major events strategy.

Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil MSP
Scottish Water, procurement, European Structural Funds, Scottish Futures Trust, transport policy and delivery, public transport, road, rail services, air and ferry services, housing, communities and regeneration.

Law Officers
Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland
Frank Mulholland QC was appointed Solicitor General for Scotland in May 2007.
He has been a prosecutor throughout his career, having joined the Procurator Fiscal Service in 1984, working in Glasgow and Edinburgh offices before taking up policy and managerial posts in the Crown Office.