NICOLA Sturgeon has fuelled speculation about a cabinet reshuffle as part of her plans to refresh the SNP Government after a decade in power.
The First Minister said people would have to “wait and see” if there was a reshuffle by the year’s end when she was asked about the subject on Wednesday.
Speculation about a change of faces round the table at Bute House has been growing since Ms Sturgeon gave a speech on Brexit on the eve of the summer recess at Holyrood.
She told MSPs: “Any Government, after 10 years, needs to take stock and to refresh”.
Promising to do just that over the summer, she went on: “We will set out afresh our vision for the country that we lead, together with the creative, imaginative, bold and radical policies that…will help us to realise that bold, ambitious vision for Scotland.”
Asked when she proposed to lay out her policies, the First Minister said she would do it in her annual legislative plan, the programme for government, due on September 5.
Asked about a reshuffle, she said: “You’ll have to wait and see.”
Pressed on the intriguing reply, she said: “I think most First Ministers and Prime Ministers would probably give you that answer to that question at any particular time.”
However the standard reply from leaders is to express confidence in their cabinet.
Communities and Equalities Secretary Angela Constance would be seen as vulnerable in the event of a reshuffle, while Brexit Minister Michael Russell and Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman could be raised to cabinet rank.
Among the intake of 2016, Highland MSPs Kate Forbes and Gail Ross have been tipped for promotion, as has Fife MSP Jenny Gilruth. However Ms Gilruth’s position is complicated by being the partner of Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale.
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