Tag Archives: Scottish Cabinet

Fergus Ewing remains in place to oversee Crofting Law Reform

Fergus Ewing - Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy (with responsibility for Crofting)

Fergus Ewing MSP

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today appointed a new, refreshed Scottish Government Cabinet.

Thankfully, at a critical stage in the planned reform of crofting law, she did not shuffle Fergus Ewing MSP away from his post as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy with responsibility for crofting. Connectivity has however been moved away from his portfolio and is now with Michael Matheson as Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity. Thus Fergus Ewing’s title changes from Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity to Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy.

Fergus Ewing was in post during the difficult times surrounding the common grazings crisis. He has had many meetings with crofting stakeholder groups regarding the need for crofting law reform arising primarily from matters identified in ‘The Crofting Law Sump Report‘. His recent announcement about a two phased approach to crofting law reform was widely welcomed. He understands the problems at hand and what needs to be done to resolve them. It would have been a huge mistake not to allow him to oversee the introduction of the next crofting reform bill.

Fergus Ewing is new Cabinet Secretary for Crofting

Fergus Ewing - New Crofting MinisterScottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, today announced her new Scottish Cabinet and ministerial team.

Crofting now falls within the portfolio of the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity. Fergus Ewing has been appointed to that cabinet position.

Jim Hunter, in response to my last blog posttweeted:-

Among the 63 SNP MSPs is a poor soul about to be appointed Minister for Crofting – ‘poisoned chalice’ doesn’t cut it.

John MacPherson responded:-

A Minister for Crofting will need (at least!) a degree in theology and good pair of knee-pads!

Fergus Ewing will certainly have his work cut out in dealing with the issues surrounding ‘The Common Clearances‘.

To what extent Fergus Ewing may be assisted by Humza Yousaf remains to be seen. Humza Yousaf has been appointed Minister for Transport and the Islands acting as junior minister to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity. The current controversy arises from actions taken by the Crofting Commission against Common Grazings Committees on the Isle of Lewis.

John Finnie MSP submitted a Parliamentary Question on the issue for answer by the Scottish Government. It reads:-

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the suspended Mangersta grazing committee on the Isle of Lewis and whether it has a role to play in the mediation of this matter.

The answer to that question and many others posed in recent weeks is now awaited with much interest and anticipation.

Brian Inkster