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Secretary of State for Scotland
Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (Government in Scotland).svg
Ian Murray Official Cabinet Portrait, July 2024 (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Ian Murray

since 5 July 2024
Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
Style Scottish Secretary
(informal)
The Right Honourable
(within the UK and Commonwealth)
Member of
Reports to The Prime Minister
Seat Westminster
Nominator The Prime Minister
Appointer The Monarch
(on the advice of the Prime Minister)
Term length At His Majesty's pleasure
Formation
  • 1 May 1707
    (as Secretary of State for Scotland)
  • 17 August 1885
    (as Secretary for Scotland)
  • 26 July 1926 :
    (as Secretary of State for Scotland)
Deputy Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland
Salary £159,038 per annum (2022)
(including £86,584 MP salary)
Website Scotland Office


The Secretary of State for Scotland (also known as the Scottish Secretary) is an important government job in the Government of the United Kingdom. This person is in charge of the Scotland Office. The Secretary of State for Scotland is also a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom, which is a group of the most important ministers in the government.

This role helps make sure that the rules for Scottish devolution (where Scotland has its own parliament and government) are followed. The Secretary also speaks up for Scotland's interests within the UK Government. They also explain the UK Government's plans in Scotland. Another key part of the job is to help the UK Government and the Scottish Government work together. They also manage the relationship between the UK Parliament and the Scottish Parliament.

Many of the Secretary of State for Scotland's duties moved to the First Minister of Scotland when the Scottish Parliament started in 1999. This happened after the Scotland Act 1998 was passed. The person in this job works with other ministers in the Scotland Office. The Secretary is helped by their deputy, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland. The current Secretary is Ian Murray. He was chosen by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in July 2024.

Understanding the Role of Scottish Secretary

How the Job Started

From 1707 to 1746

The job of Secretary of State for Scotland was first created in 1707. This was after the Acts of Union 1707 joined the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain. However, the job was stopped in 1746 after a rebellion called the Jacobite rising of 1745. After that, Scottish matters were handled by the Lord Advocate. Later, in 1827, the Home Office took over these duties.

The Job Returns in 1885

In 1885, the job was brought back as "Secretary for Scotland." The person in this role was usually part of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom. Then, in 1926, the job was made even more important. It became a full "Secretary of State" position.

Changes After 1999

After Scotland gained more power in 1999, the role of the Secretary of State for Scotland changed a lot. This is known as "devolution." Most of the powers that the Scottish Office used to have were given to the new Scottish Government or to other UK government departments. This left the Scotland Office with a smaller role. For a few years, from 2003 to 2008, the Secretary of State for Scotland also held another Cabinet job at the same time. Some people thought this meant the Scottish role was not a full-time job.

What the Secretary Does Now

Fewer Direct Responsibilities

When Scotland got its own parliament in 1999, the Secretary of State for Scotland's direct power became less. Many of the duties moved to the new Scottish Ministers. The First Minister of Scotland took over most of the powers. Donald Dewar was the first First Minister of Scotland from 1999 to 2000. Before that, he was the Secretary of State for Scotland from 1997 to 1999.

However, the Secretary of State still represents Scotland in the UK Cabinet. This is for things that the Scottish Parliament does not control. They also hold "Scotland Questions" every month. During this time, any Member of Parliament can ask questions about Scotland. But they usually don't ask about things that the Scottish Government handles. This is because those decisions are made in Edinburgh by members of the Scottish Parliament. The Secretary of State also cannot introduce new laws in the UK Parliament about things that Scotland's government controls. This is a rule to respect Scotland's own parliament. The Secretary of State also leads the Scottish Members of Parliament from the government's party.

Working with the Scottish Government

British Irish Council meeting in Glasgow (cropped)
First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Secretary David Mundell at a meeting in Glasgow (Scotland) in 2016

The Secretary of State mainly acts as a link between the UK and Scottish Governments and Parliaments. Because the Secretary is a minister in the UK government, they must support the UK government's decisions. This means their job is often seen as promoting the UK government's views in Scotland.

The role of the Secretary of State has become more important as the Scottish National Party (SNP) has grown. The SNP wants Scotland to be independent. The Scotland Office has also received more money in recent years.

Main Duties

The UK government website lists the Secretary of State for Scotland's main duties:

  • They are the UK Government Cabinet Minister who represents Scotland.
  • They make sure the rules for Scotland's self-governance are kept.
  • They speak for Scotland's interests within the UK Government.
  • They explain the UK Government's plans in Scotland.
  • They also help the UK Government and the Scottish Government work together. They also manage the relationship between the UK and Scottish Parliaments.
Dover House, Whitehall (geograph 5347439)
Dover House, the London office of the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland

The UK Government says that all Cabinet ministers who have a role like the Secretary of State for Scotland are responsible for:

  • Making sure that the way power is shared with Scotland works well. They are a key link between the Scottish Government and the UK Government.
  • Dealing with laws that affect Scotland.
  • Representing Scotland's interests in Cabinet meetings.
  • Answering questions from Parliament about Scottish matters.
  • Sending money (called a "block grant") to the Scottish Government.
  • Helping the UK Government and the Scottish Government work together.
  • Promoting Scotland's interests.

People Who Have Been Scottish Secretaries

Secretaries of State for Scotland (1707–1746)

John Erskine, Earl of Mar was the Secretary of State for independent Scotland from 1705. After the Acts of Union 1707, he stayed in the job.

The job of Secretary of State for Scotland existed from the Union in 1707 until the Jacobite rising of 1745. After the rebellion, the Home Secretary was mainly in charge of Scotland, often through the Lord Advocate.

Secretary of State Term of office
John Erskine - Earl of Mar - Project Gutenberg etext 20946.jpg John Erskine
Earl of Mar
(since 1705)
1 May
1707
3 February
1709
James 2nd dukeofqueensberry.jpg James Douglas
2nd Duke of Queensberry
3 February
1709
6 July
1711
John Erskine - Earl of Mar - Project Gutenberg etext 20946.jpg John Erskine
Earl of Mar
9 September
1713
24 September
1714
James Graham 1682-1742.jpg James Graham
1st Duke of Montrose
24 September
1714
August
1715
John Ker, 1st Duke of Roxburghe.jpg John Ker
1st Duke of Roxburghe
13 December
1716
August
1725
John Hay, 4th Marquess of Tweeddale.jpg John Hay
4th Marquess of Tweeddale
25 February
1742
3 January
1746

The job was then empty for a long time.

Secretaries for Scotland (1885–1926)

Secretary for Scotland Act 1885
Act of Parliament
Long title An Act for appointing a Secretary for Scotland and Vice-President of the Scotch Education Department.
Citation 48 & 49 Vict. c. 61
Dates
Royal assent 14 August 1885
Status: Amended
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the Secretary for Scotland Act 1885 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk

The Secretary for Scotland was the main minister in charge of the Scottish Office in the UK government. The Scottish Office was created along with this job by the Secretary for Scotland Act 1885. From 1892, the Secretary for Scotland was part of the Cabinet. In 1926, this job was made into the full Secretary of State for Scotland.

From 1885 to 1999, Secretaries for Scotland also held the job of Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland. Since 1999, the First Minister of Scotland has held this position.

Secretary of State Term of office Party Ministry
Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, 6th Duke of Richmond, 6th Duke of Lennox, and 1st Duke of Gordon.jpg Charles Gordon-Lennox
6th Duke of Richmond

17 August
1885
28 January
1886
Conservative Salisbury I
Sir G O Trevelyan, 2nd Bt NPG.jpg George Trevelyan
MP for Hawick Burghs
8 February
1886
March
1886
Liberal Gladstone III
John Ramsay, 13th Earl of Dalhousie.jpeg John Ramsay
13th Earl of Dalhousie
5 April
1886
20 July
1886
Liberal
Arthur-James-Balfour-1st-Earl-of-Balfour.jpg Arthur Balfour
MP for Manchester East
5 August
1886
11 March
1887
Conservative Salisbury II
Lord Lotian.jpg Schomberg Kerr
9th Marquess of Lothian
11 March
1887
11 August
1892
Conservative
Sir G O Trevelyan, 2nd Bt NPG.jpg George Trevelyan
MP for Glasgow Bridgeton
18 August
1892
21 June
1895
Liberal Gladstone IV
Rosebery
Lord Balfour .jpg Alexander Bruce
6th Lord Balfour of Burleigh
29 June
1895
9 October
1903
Conservative Salisbury
(III & IV)

(Con.–Lib.U.)
Balfour
(Con.–Lib.U.)
Lord Dunedin.jpg Andrew Murray
MP for Buteshire
9 October
1903
2 February
1905
Conservative
Hopetoun.jpg John Hope
1st Marquess of Linlithgow
2 February
1905
4 December
1905
Conservative
C1900 John Sinclair.jpg John Sinclair
1st Baron Pentland
10 December
1905
13 February
1912
Liberal Campbell-Bannerman
Asquith
(I–III)
Thomas Mackinnon Wood.jpg Thomas McKinnon Wood
MP for Glasgow St Rollox
13 February
1912
9 July
1916
Liberal
Asquith Coalition
(Lib.Con.Lab.)
Harold J. Tennant o.jpg Harold Tennant
MP for Berwickshire
9 July
1916
5 December
1916
Liberal
1922 Robert Munro.jpg Robert Munro
MP for Roxburgh and Selkirk
10 December
1916
19 October
1922
Liberal Lloyd George
(I & II)

(Lib.Con.Lab.)
Ronald Munro Ferguson (Barnett-02).jpg Ronald Munro Ferguson
1st Viscount Novar
24 October
1922
22 January
1924
Independent Law
Baldwin I
Cropped photograph of William Adamson.jpg William Adamson
MP for West Fife
22 January
1924
3 November
1924
Labour MacDonald I
Sir John Gilmour.jpg John Gilmour
MP for Glasgow Pollok
6 November
1924
26 July
1926
Unionist Baldwin II

Secretaries of State for Scotland (1926–Present)

Secretary of State Term of office Party Ministry
Sir John Gilmour.jpg John Gilmour
MP for Glasgow Pollok
26 July
1926
4 June
1929
Unionist Baldwin II
Cropped photograph of William Adamson.jpg William Adamson
MP for West Fife
7 June
1929
24 August
1931
Labour MacDonald II
The Air Ministry, 1939-1945. CH10270 – Edit 1.jpg Archibald Sinclair
MP for Caithness and Sutherland
25 August
1931
28 September
1932
Liberal National I
(N.Lab.–Con.–Lib.N.–Lib.)
National II
(N.Lab.–Con.–Lib.N.–Lib.)
Godfrey Collins.jpg Godfrey Collins
MP for Greenock
28 September
1932
29 October
1936
Liberal National
National III
(Con.–N.Lab.–Lib.N.)
Walter Elliot
MP for Glasgow Kelvingrove
29 October
1936
6 May
1938
Unionist
National IV
(Con.–N.Lab.–Lib.N.)
David John Colville (cropped).jpg John Colville
MP for Midlothian and Peebles Northern
6 May
1938
10 May
1940
Unionist
Chamberlain War
(Con.–N.Lab.–Lib.N.)
BrownErnest.jpg Ernest Brown
MP for Leith
14 May
1940
8 February
1941
Liberal National Churchill War
(All parties)
Thomas Johnston.png Thomas Johnston
MP for West Stirlingshire
8 February
1941
23 May
1945
Labour
Lord Dalmeny.jpg Harry Primrose
6th Earl of Rosebery
25 May
1945
26 July
1945
Liberal National Churchill Caretaker
(Con.–N.Lib.)
No image.svg Joseph Westwood
MP for Stirling and Falkirk
3 August
1945
7 October
1947
Labour Attlee
(I & II)
No image.svg Arthur Woodburn
MP for Clackmannan and Eastern Stirlingshire
7 October
1947
28 February
1950
Labour
Blank.png Hector McNeil
MP for Greenock
28 February
1950
26 October
1951
Labour
James Stuart
MP for Moray and Nairn
30 October
1951
13 January
1957
Unionist Churchill III
Eden
Blank.png John Maclay
MP for West Renfrewshire
13 January
1957
13 July
1962
Unionist Macmillan
(I & II)
Blank.png Michael Noble
MP for Argyllshire
13 July
1962
16 October
1964
Unionist
Douglas-Home
Blank.png Willie Ross
MP for Kilmarnock
18 October
1964
19 June
1970
Labour Wilson
(I & II)
Blank.png Gordon Campbell
MP for Moray and Nairn
20 June
1970
4 March
1974
Conservative Heath
Blank.png Willie Ross
MP for Kilmarnock
5 March
1974
8 April
1976
Labour Wilson
(III & IV)
Bruce Millan.tif Bruce Millan
MP for Glasgow Craigton
8 April
1976
4 May
1979
Labour Callaghan
George Younger.JPEG George Younger
MP for Ayr
5 May
1979
11 January
1986
Conservative Thatcher I
Thatcher II
Malcolm Rifkind.jpg Malcolm Rifkind
MP for Edinburgh Pentlands
11 January
1986
28 November
1990
Conservative
Thatcher III
Official portrait of Lord Lang of Monkton 2020 crop 2.jpg Ian Lang
MP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale
28 November
1990
5 July
1995
Conservative Major I
Major II
Official Portrait of Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, 2024.jpg Michael Forsyth
MP for Stirling
5 July
1995
2 May
1997
Conservative
Donald Dewar First Minister.jpg Donald Dewar
MP for Glasgow Anniesland
2 May
1997
17 May
1999
Labour Blair I
Official portrait of Lord Reid of Cardowan, 2020.jpg John Reid
MP for Hamilton North and Bellshill
17 May
1999
25 January
2001
Labour
Official portrait of Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke crop 2.jpg Helen Liddell
MP for Airdrie and Shotts
25 January
2001
13 June
2003
Labour Blair II
AlistairDarlingABr cropped.jpg Alistair Darling
MP for Edinburgh South West
13 June
2003
5 May
2006
Labour
Blair III
Official portrait of Douglas Alexander MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Douglas Alexander
MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South
5 May
2006
28 June
2007
Labour
Official portrait of Lord Browne of Ladyton crop 2, 2019.jpg Des Browne
MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun
28 June
2007
3 October
2008
Labour Brown
Jim Murphy, April 2009 cropped.jpg Jim Murphy
MP for East Renfrewshire
3 October
2008
11 May
2010
Labour
Danny alexander hi.jpg Danny Alexander
MP for Inverness, Nairn,
Badenoch and Strathspey
12 May
2010
29 May
2010
Liberal Democrat Cameron–Clegg
(Con.L.D.)
Michael Moore, Secretary of State for Scotland.jpg Michael Moore
MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
29 May
2010
7 October
2013
Liberal Democrat
Official portrait of Alistair Carmichael MP crop 2, 2024.jpg Alistair Carmichael
MP for Orkney and Shetland
7 October
2013
8 May
2015
Liberal Democrat
Official portrait of David Mundell MP crop 2, 2024.jpg David Mundell
MP for Dumfriesshire,
Clydesdale and Tweeddale
11 May
2015
24 July
2019
Conservative Cameron II
May I
May II
Alister Jack Official Cabinet Portrait, September 2021 (cropped).jpg Alister Jack
MP for Dumfries and Galloway
24 July
2019
5 July
2024
Conservative Johnson I
Johnson II
Truss
Sunak
Ian Murray Official Cabinet Portrait, July 2024 (cropped).jpg Ian Murray
MP for Edinburgh South
5 July
2024
Incumbent Labour Starmer

Timeline

Ian Murray (Scottish politician) Alister Jack David Mundell Alistair Carmichael Michael Moore Danny Alexander Jim Murphy Des Browne Douglas Alexander Alistair Darling Helen Liddell John Reid, Baron Reid of Cardowan Donald Dewar Michael Forsyth Ian Lang Malcom Rifkind George Younger Bruce Millan Gordon Campbell Willie Ross, Baron Ross of Marnock Michael Noble, Baron Glenkinglas John Maclay James Stuart, 1st Viscount Stuart of Findhorn Hector McNeil Arthur Woodburn Joseph Westwood Harry Primrose, 6th Earl of Rosebery Tom Johnston (British politician) Ernest Brown (British politician) John Colville, 1st Baron Clydesmuir Walter Elliot (Scottish politician) Godfrey Collins Archibald Sinclair Sir John Gilmour, 2nd Baronet William Adamson Ronald Munro Ferguson Robert Munro, 1st Baron Alness Harold Tennant Thomas McKinnon Wood John Sinclair, 1st Baron Pentland John Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun Andrew Murray, 1st Viscount Dunedin Alexander Bruce, 6th Lord Balfour of Burleigh Schomberg Kerr Arthur Balfour John Ramsay, 13th Earl of Dalhousie Sir George Trevelyan, 2nd Baronet Charles Gordon-Lennox, 6th Duke of Richmond

See also

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