Edinburgh MP Ian Murray appointed Scottish Secretary as Keir Starmer names Cabinet

Ian Murray has been made Scottish Secretary after Labour's landslide election victory.

The Edinburgh South MP takes over the job from Tory Alister Jack as Keir Starmer named his Cabinet.

Murray had been Shadow Scotland Secretary since 2020 and also served in the role between 2015 and 2016.

He was Scottish Labour's sole MP after the 2015 and 2019 general elections.

He is now part of a much bigger group of Scottish Labour MPs after the party romped home to first place.

Labour won 37 seats in Scotland, leapfrogging the SNP.

The party's vote share doubled to 35.7 per cent and 850,000 voters backed the party.

Murray won by a mile in Edinburgh South, with a majority of more than 17,000 votes. This was 53.3 per cent of the overall share.

He was a key part in the Scottish party's election, serving as its co-ordinator alongside deputy leader Jackie Baillie.

The 47-year old from Wester Hailes was first elected in 2010.

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said: “It is a real privilege to have been asked to serve in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first Cabinet as Secretary of State for Scotland. My absolute priority in the role will be to deliver the change and renewal that Scotland needs – to drive economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty.

“As we rebuild our country, I look forward to Scotland standing foursquare with the other UK nations. I will make sure that the Scotland Office is a strong voice for Scotland within the UK Government.

“New funding will help tackle poverty in Scotland by creating jobs and unlocking opportunities across the country, especially in our most deprived communities.

“The Scotland Office will lead on promoting ‘Brand Scotland’ around the globe. Selling our world class produce, products and services to the world.

“I am also determined to reset the relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments. Focusing on co-operation and joint working will mean we can deliver better results for people in Scotland.”

It comes as Labour returns government for the first time in 14 years.

The party won recorded a landslide victory, taking 412 seats. The Tories trailed on a dismal 121.

Scottish Labour had some experienced candidates who won, including former minister Douglas Alexander and ex-Gordon Brown adviser Kirsty McNeill.

It remains to be seen whether they will be given government jobs.

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