Shona Robison: Difference between revisions

Shona Robison
MSP
Shona Robison MSP
	Official portrait, 2023
Deputy First Minister of Scotland
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 29 March 2023
First Minister	Humza Yousaf
Preceded by	John Swinney
Cabinet Secretary for Finance
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 29 March 2023
First Minister	Humza Yousaf
Preceded by	Kate Forbes
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government
	In office; 20 May 2021 – 28 March 2023
First Minister	Nicola Sturgeon
Preceded by	Aileen Campbell
Succeeded by	Shirley-Anne Somerville
	In office; 22 April 2014 – 21 November 2014
First Minister	Alex Salmond
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Alex Neil
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport
	In office; 21 November 2014 – 26 June 2018
First Minister	Nicola Sturgeon
Preceded by	Alex Neil
Succeeded by	Jeane Freeman
First Minister
Junior ministerial offices
Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport
	In office; 19 May 2011 – 22 April 2014
First Minister	Alex Salmond
Preceded by	Office created
Succeeded by	Office abolished
Minister for Public Health and Sport
	In office; 17 May 2007 – 19 May 2011
First Minister	Alex Salmond
Preceded by	Lewis Macdonald
Succeeded by	Michael Matheson
Preceded by
Parliamentary offices
Member of the Scottish Parliament; for Dundee City East; Dundee East (2003–2011)
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 1 May 2003
Preceded by	John McAllion
Majority	13,337 (41.1%)
Member of the Scottish Parliament; for North East Scotland; (1 of 7 Regional MSPs)
	In office; 6 May 1999 – 1 May 2003
Personal details
Born	Shona McRory Robison; 26 May 1966 (age 58); Redcar, Yorkshire, England
Political party	Scottish National Party
Spouse	Stewart Hosie (m. 1997; div. 2017)
Children	1
Alma mater	University of Glasgow; Jordanhill College;
Website	shona.robison.scot

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Shona McRory Robison (born 26 May 1966) is a Scottish politician serving as Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Finance since 2023. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), she has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Dundee City East since 2003^[a] and was an additional member for the North East Scotland region from 1999 to 2003.

Born in England, Robison studied at the University of Glasgow and Jordanhill College. She was an active member of the SNP's youth wing and worked in Glasgow City Council's Social Work Department, until her election to the Scottish Parliament in 1999.

Robison served as Minister for Public Health and Sport from 2007 to 2011. She then oversaw the Scottish Government’s preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games as Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport from 2011 to April 2014, when she was promoted to the Scottish Cabinet by Alex Salmond as Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games, Sport, Equalities and Pensioners' Rights. When Nicola Sturgeon succeeded Salmond as First Minister in November 2014, she appointed Robison the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport.

In 2018, she resigned from government during a cabinet reshuffle after being widely criticised for her poorly received tenure as Heath Secretary.^[3]^[4]^[5] She returned to the backbenches, where she served on the justice and health committees. In 2021, Robison returned to Sturgeon’s government as the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government. During her tenure in the position, she oversaw the government’s efforts to pass the controversial Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. Following Sturgeon's resignation as first minister in 2023, Robison was appointed Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary by Humza Yousaf in his new government.

Early life

Shona McRory Robison was born in Redcar, Yorkshire, England, on 26 May 1996.^[6] She attended Alva Academy in Clackmannanshire.^[7] She gained a Master of Arts in Social Science at the University of Glasgow in 1989. The following year, she gained a Postgraduate Cert in Community Education at Jordanhill College.^[8]

Robison joined the Scottish National Party (SNP) in 1988.^[9] She was an active member of the party's youth wing the Young Scottish Nationalist, no known as Young Scots for Independence, where she met the likes of Nicola Sturgeon and Fiona Hyslop.^[10]

Before being elected to the Scottish Parliament, she worked in Glasgow City Council's Social Work Department.^[11]^[12]

Early parliamentary career

SNP in opposition; 1997 to 2007

Robison contested in the first election to the Scottish Parliament for the Dundee East constituency. Although she was unsuccessful, having came second to Scottish Labour's John McAllion, she was elected as an additional member for the North East Scotland region. In her first term, she was member of the Health and Community Care Committee and was the Deputy Convenor of the Equal Opportunities Committee.^[13]

She served in the SNP's opposition cabinet as the shadow deputy minister for health and community care.

In the 2003 Scottish Parliament election, Robison successfully defeated McAllion by just 100 votes in Dundee East. She served as the Shadow Minister for Health and Social Justice in the SNP's opposition benches.^[14] Robison was a member of the Health Committee.^[11]

Junior ministerial career; 2007 to 2014

After the SNP's victory in the 2007 election, Robison was appointed as the Minister for Public Health.^[15] In 2009, she added Sport onto her portfolio.^[16] In the 2011 election, Robison was re-elected into the newly drawn, Dundee City East constituency. She was appointed Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport.

In the run up to the Scottish independence referendum in 2014, Robison wrote to the University of Dundee to complain that a Dundee professor had chaired an event for the Better Together campaign. Robison insisted that Christopher Whatley's involvement in the Five Million Questions project about the implications of the referendum meant he should have taken a neutral stance on the constitutional issue.^[17] However, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: “I'm not sure this kind of bullying and intimidation is the best advert for the SNP's vision of a future separate Scotland. In fact, it is chilling."^[18]

In April 2014, Alex Salmond promoted her to the full Cabinet position of Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games, Sport, Equalities and Pensioners' Rights.

Health Secretary; 2014 to 2018

On 21 November 2014, Robison was appointed by Sturgeon as Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, in Sturgeon's first government. Following the 2016 election, she was reappointed into Sturgeon's cabinet as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport.^[19]

In January 2018, during an appearance at Holyrood's Health and Sport Committee, she was warned by Labour MSP Neil Findlay of a "drugs disaster".^[20] In 2018, Scotland went on to record the highest number of drug deaths per head in the European Union, at a rate nearly three times higher than the UK average.^[21]

On 26 June 2018, she announced her intention to resign from Cabinet. Shortly after a cabinet reshuffle was made by Sturgeon.^[22] BBC political correspondent Glenn Campbell wrote after the reshuffle: "The most widely anticipated departure was t/hat of health secretary, Shona Robison. She's been under considerable pressure over NHS performance. She stood down on the day the Scottish government confirmed its worst cancer waiting times for six years."^[3]

Backbencher; 2018 to 2021

Following her resignation from government, Robison returned to the backbenches. She served on the Parliament's Justice Committee and Social Security Committee. Amid the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, she served as a member of the COVID-19 Committee.

In February 2021, Audit Scotland published a report that concluded the Scottish Government had not prepared adequately for a pandemic. The watchdog also noted that recommendations from pandemic planning exercises during Robison's time as Health Secretary had not been fully implemented. One particular failure it highlighted was that not enough had been done to ensure Scottish hospitals and care homes had enough personal protective equipment (PPE). Overall, it concluded that ministers "could have been better prepared to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic". Nicola Sturgeon said there were "lots of lessons to learn".^[23]^[24]

Social Justice Secretary; 2021 to 2023

On 20 May 2021, Sturgeon announced her third government, with Robison returning as Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government.

Deputy First Minister (2023-present)

On 28 March 2023, newly elected First Minister Humza Yousaf announced Robison as his deputy first minister of Scotland.^[25]^[26] She was officially sworn into office the next day and was appointed finance secretary in Yousaf's new government.^[27]

Personal life

She was married to Stewart Hosie,^[28] who is the Westminster MP for Dundee East and was previously the SNP's Depute Leader. They have one daughter. Robison experienced a miscarriage in 2007.^[29] It was announced on 15 May 2016 that the couple separated.^[30] This was followed by reports that Hosie had had an affair with Westminster-based freelance journalist Serena Cowdy.^[31]

Footnotes

^ The constituency was known as Dundee East until 2011, when it was renamed and redrawn as part of the First Periodical Review of Scottish Parliament Boundaries.^[2]

References

^ Clegg, David (17 May 2019). "SNP infighting more like Game of Thrones plot than conduct of political party". dailyrecord. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
^ "First Periodical Review of Scottish Parliament Boundaries, Boundary Commission for Scotland website, accessed 20 December 2008". Archived from the original on 17 February 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
^ ^a ^b "Shona Robison quits as Nicola Sturgeon reshuffles cabinet". BBC News. 26 June 2018. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
^ "Tom Peterkin: Shona Robison is a lame duck Health Secretary | The Scotsman".
^ "A dignified end to Robison's tricky time as Health Secretary". The National.
^ "Shona Robison". Scottish National Party. 5 September 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
^ "Shona Robison MSP". www.parliament.scot. Archived from the original on 7 August 2002. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
^ "Profile: Shona Robison". 26 June 2018. Archived from the original on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
^ "Shona Robison MSP". Scottish Parliament. 26 February 2000. Archived from the original on 2000. Retrieved 2 April 2023. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |archive-date= (help)
^ "Shona Robison MSP | Dundee City East | SNP". Shona Robison MSP. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Shona Robison MSP". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
^ "The Scottish Parliament: MSP Biography - Shona Robison MSP". Scottish Parliament. Archived from the original on 3 June 2004. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
^ "Shona Robison". www.parliament.scot. Archived from the original on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
^ "Previous MSPs: Session 2 (2003–2007): Shona Robison MSP". Scottish Parliament. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
^ "The Scottish Executive". The Herald (Glasgow). 17 May 2007. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
^ "Previous MSPs: Session 3 (2007–2011): Shona Robison MSP". Scottish Parliament. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
^ McIntosh, Lindsay. "SNP minister in 'chilling bid to gag academics'". Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
^ "SNP ministers 'waging dangerous campaign to gag university academics'". www.telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
^ "Scottish cabinet reshuffle: John Swinney becomes education secretary". BBC News. 18 May 2016. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
^ "Health Secretary Shona Robison warned of 'drugs disaster' by Labour MSP". HeraldScotland. Archived from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
^ "1,187 drug-deaths in 2018: up 27% in a year - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
^ "Shona Robison quits as Nicola Sturgeon reshuffles cabinet". BBC News. 26 June 2018. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
^ "Covid in Scotland: Inadequate preparations for Covid, says watchdog". BBC News. 17 February 2021. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
^ Brooks, Libby (17 February 2021). "Scottish government inadequately prepared for Covid – watchdog". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
^ Brooks, Libby (28 March 2023). "Humza Yousaf says FM vote sends 'strong message' but SNP unity bid stumbles". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
^ Hutcheon, Paul (28 March 2023). "Shona Robison appointed Deputy First Minister by Humza Yousaf". Daily Record. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
^ "Shona Robison replaces Kate Forbes as finance secretary in new cabinet". BBC News. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
^ "International Women's Day Debate". House of Commons Hansard Debates. 6 March 2008. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
^ Mandy Rhodes. "We must ease this silent sorrow: Former health secretary Shona Robison on the grief of losing a baby and why it is time to talk about miscarriage". The Sunday Post. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
^ "SNP husband and wife Stewart Hosie and Shona Robison separate". The Scotsman. 16 May 2016. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
^ Reporters, Telegraph (17 May 2016). "SNP MPs Stewart Hosie and Angus MacNeil split from wives over alleged affairs with same woman". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.

Scottish Parliament
New parliament Scotland Act 1998	Member of the Scottish Parliament for North East Scotland 1999–2003	Succeeded by Marlyn Glen
Preceded by John McAllion	Member of the Scottish Parliament for Dundee East 2003–2011)	Constituency abolished
New constituency	Member of the Scottish Parliament for Dundee City East 2011–present	Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by John Swinney	Deputy First Minister of Scotland 2023-present	Incumbent
Preceded by Kate Forbes as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy	Cabinet Secretary for Finance 2023-present	Incumbent
Preceded by Lewis Macdonald as Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care	Minister for Public Health and Sport 2007–2011	Succeeded by Michael Matheson
New office	Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport 2011–2014	Succeeded by Jamie Hepburn as Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health
New office	Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners' Rights 2014	Succeeded by Alex Neil
Preceded by Alex Neil	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport 2014–2018	Succeeded by Jeane Freeman
Preceded by Aileen Campbell	Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government 2021–present	Incumbent

[3] The constituency was known as Dundee East until 2011, when it was renamed and redrawn as part of the First Periodical Review of Scottish Parliament Boundaries.^[2]

[1] Clegg, David (17 May 2019). "SNP infighting more like Game of Thrones plot than conduct of political party". dailyrecord. Retrieved 2 March 2020.

[2] "First Periodical Review of Scottish Parliament Boundaries, Boundary Commission for Scotland website, accessed 20 December 2008". Archived from the original on 17 February 2008. Retrieved 15 February 2008.

[auto-4] "Shona Robison quits as Nicola Sturgeon reshuffles cabinet". BBC News. 26 June 2018. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.

[5] "Tom Peterkin: Shona Robison is a lame duck Health Secretary | The Scotsman".

[6] "A dignified end to Robison's tricky time as Health Secretary". The National.

[7] "Shona Robison". Scottish National Party. 5 September 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2023.

[8] "Shona Robison MSP". www.parliament.scot. Archived from the original on 7 August 2002. Retrieved 2 April 2023.

[:0-9] "Profile: Shona Robison". 26 June 2018. Archived from the original on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2019.

[10] "Shona Robison MSP". Scottish Parliament. 26 February 2000. Archived from the original on 2000. Retrieved 2 April 2023. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |archive-date= (help)

[11] "Shona Robison MSP | Dundee City East | SNP". Shona Robison MSP. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.

[:1-12] "Shona Robison MSP". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.

[13] "The Scottish Parliament: MSP Biography - Shona Robison MSP". Scottish Parliament. Archived from the original on 3 June 2004. Retrieved 2 April 2023.

[14] "Shona Robison". www.parliament.scot. Archived from the original on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.

[session2-15] "Previous MSPs: Session 2 (2003–2007): Shona Robison MSP". Scottish Parliament. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.

[16] "The Scottish Executive". The Herald (Glasgow). 17 May 2007. Archived from the original on 18 January 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2014.

[session3-17] "Previous MSPs: Session 3 (2007–2011): Shona Robison MSP". Scottish Parliament. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.

[18] McIntosh, Lindsay. "SNP minister in 'chilling bid to gag academics'". Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.

[19] "SNP ministers 'waging dangerous campaign to gag university academics'". www.telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.

[BBC_18May2016-20] "Scottish cabinet reshuffle: John Swinney becomes education secretary". BBC News. 18 May 2016. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2017.

[21] "Health Secretary Shona Robison warned of 'drugs disaster' by Labour MSP". HeraldScotland. Archived from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.

[22] "1,187 drug-deaths in 2018: up 27% in a year - gov.scot". www.gov.scot. Archived from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.

[23] "Shona Robison quits as Nicola Sturgeon reshuffles cabinet". BBC News. 26 June 2018. Archived from the original on 18 November 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.

[24] "Covid in Scotland: Inadequate preparations for Covid, says watchdog". BBC News. 17 February 2021. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.

[25] Brooks, Libby (17 February 2021). "Scottish government inadequately prepared for Covid – watchdog". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

[26] Brooks, Libby (28 March 2023). "Humza Yousaf says FM vote sends 'strong message' but SNP unity bid stumbles". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.

[27] Hutcheon, Paul (28 March 2023). "Shona Robison appointed Deputy First Minister by Humza Yousaf". Daily Record. Retrieved 2 April 2023.

[28] "Shona Robison replaces Kate Forbes as finance secretary in new cabinet". BBC News. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.

[29] "International Women's Day Debate". House of Commons Hansard Debates. 6 March 2008. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2008.

[30] Mandy Rhodes. "We must ease this silent sorrow: Former health secretary Shona Robison on the grief of losing a baby and why it is time to talk about miscarriage". The Sunday Post. Retrieved 2 April 2023.

[31] "SNP husband and wife Stewart Hosie and Shona Robison separate". The Scotsman. 16 May 2016. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.

[32] Reporters, Telegraph (17 May 2016). "SNP MPs Stewart Hosie and Angus MacNeil split from wives over alleged affairs with same woman". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.

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@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 | predecessor         = [[John Swinney]]
 | office1             = [[Cabinet Secretary for Finance]]
-| firstminister1      = [[Humza Yousaf]]
+| firstminister1      = Humza Yousaf
 | term_start1         = 29 March 2023
 | term_end1           =
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 | predecessor4        = Alex Neil
 | successor4          = [[Jeane Freeman]]
+{{Collapsed infobox section begin|Junior ministerial offices
+|titlestyle=border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
+| office5            =  [[Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport]]
+| firstminister5      = Alex Salmond
+| term_start5         = 19 May 2011
+| term_end5           = 22 April 2014
+| predecessor5        = [[Second Salmond government|''Office created'']]
+| successor5          = ''Office abolished''
+| office6             = [[Minister for Public Health and Sport]]
+| firstminister6      = Alex Salmond
+| term_start6         = 17 May 2007
+| term_end6           = 19 May 2011
+| predecessor6        = [[Lewis Macdonald]]
+| successor6          = [[Michael Matheson (politician)|Michael Matheson]]
+{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
+}}
 {{Collapsed infobox section begin|Parliamentary offices
 |titlestyle=border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
@@ Line 69: / Line 85: @@
 ==Early life ==
-Shona McRory Robison was born on 26 May 1966 in [[Redcar]], England. Robison attended [[Alva Academy]] in [[Clackmannanshire]]. She gained a [[Master of Arts (Scotland)|Master of Arts]] in Social Science at the University of Glasgow in 1989. The following year, she gained a Postgraduate Cert in Community Education at [[Jordanhill College]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-43988436|title=Profile: Shona Robison|date=2018-06-26|access-date=2019-08-19|language=en-GB|archive-date=19 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819125614/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-43988436|url-status=live}}</ref>
+Shona McRory Robison was born in [[Redcar]], [[Yorkshire]], England, on 26 May 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |date=2018-09-05 |title=Shona Robison |url=https://www.snp.org/your-team/shona-robison/ |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Scottish National Party |language=en-US}}</ref> She attended [[Alva Academy]] in [[Clackmannanshire]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shona Robison MSP |url=https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-and-previous-msps/shona-robison |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020807231621/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msps/biographies/robisn-s.htm |archive-date=7 August 2002 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=www.parliament.scot |language=en}}</ref> She gained a [[Master of Arts (Scotland)|Master of Arts]] in Social Science at the University of Glasgow in 1989. The following year, she gained a Postgraduate Cert in Community Education at [[Jordanhill College]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-43988436|title=Profile: Shona Robison|date=2018-06-26|access-date=2019-08-19|language=en-GB|archive-date=19 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819125614/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-43988436|url-status=live}}</ref>
-Robison was an active member of the [[Scottish National Party|Scottish National Party's youth wing]], where she met the likes of [[Nicola Sturgeon]] and [[Fiona Hyslop]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shona Robison MSP {{!}} Dundee City East {{!}} SNP |url=https://www.shonarobison.org/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=Shona Robison MSP |language=en |archive-date=12 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512023644/https://www.shonarobison.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Before being elected to the [[Scottish Parliament]], she worked in [[Glasgow City Council]]'s Social Work Department.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Shona Robison MSP |url=https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/shona-robison/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=www.gov.scot |language=en |archive-date=8 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508105203/https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/shona-robison/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
+Robison joined the [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP) in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 February 2000 |title=Shona Robison MSP |url=https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-and-previous-msps/shona-robison |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000226232226/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msps/biographies/robisn-s.htm |archive-date=2000 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=Scottish Parliament}}</ref> She was an active member of the party's youth wing the [[Scottish National Party|Young Scottish Nationalist]], no known as Young Scots for Independence, where she met the likes of [[Nicola Sturgeon]] and [[Fiona Hyslop]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shona Robison MSP {{!}} Dundee City East {{!}} SNP |url=https://www.shonarobison.org/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=Shona Robison MSP |language=en |archive-date=12 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512023644/https://www.shonarobison.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
+Before being elected to the [[Scottish Parliament]], she worked in [[Glasgow City Council]]'s Social Work Department.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Shona Robison MSP |url=https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/shona-robison/ |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=www.gov.scot |language=en |archive-date=8 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508105203/https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/shona-robison/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=The Scottish Parliament: MSP Biography - Shona Robison MSP |url=https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-and-previous-msps/shona-robison |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603162924/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msps/biogs/robison_shona.htm |archive-date=2004-06-03 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Scottish Parliament}}</ref>
-==Member of the Scottish Parliament==
+==Early parliamentary career==
-=== Opposition ===
+=== SNP in opposition; 1997 to 2007 ===
+[[File:Shona Robison MSP 1999.jpg|left|thumb|Official parliamentary portrait, 1999]]
 Robison contested in the [[1999 Scottish Parliament election|first election]] to the [[1st Scottish Parliament|Scottish Parliament]] for the [[Dundee East (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Dundee East constituency]]. Although she was unsuccessful, having came second to [[Scottish Labour]]'s [[John McAllion]], she was elected as an [[Additional member system|additional member]] for the [[North East Scotland (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|North East Scotland region]]. In her first term, she was member of the Health and Community Care Committee and was the Deputy Convenor of the Equal Opportunities Committee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shona Robison |url=https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-and-previous-msps/shona-robison |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=www.parliament.scot |language=en |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324125457/https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-and-previous-msps/shona-robison |url-status=live }}</ref>
+She served in the SNP's opposition cabinet as the [[Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care|shadow deputy minister for health and community care]].
 In the [[2003 Scottish Parliament election]], Robison successfully defeated McAllion by just 100 votes in Dundee East. She served as the Shadow Minister for Health and Social Justice in the SNP's opposition benches.<ref name="session2">{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.scot/msps/30574.aspx |title=Previous MSPs: Session 2 (2003–2007): Shona Robison MSP |publisher=Scottish Parliament |access-date=14 May 2016 |archive-date=5 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605073410/http://www.parliament.scot/msps/30574.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Robison was a member of the Health Committee.<ref name=":1" />
-=== Junior Minister ===
+=== Junior ministerial career; 2007 to 2014 ===
 [[File:Summer Cabinet in Kirkcaldy - 6096488715.jpg|thumb|Robison with Nicola Sturgeon at am Active Nation reception in Kirkcaldy, 2011]]
 After the SNP's victory in the [[2007 Scottish Parliament election|2007 election]], Robison was appointed as the [[Minister for Public Health (Scotland)|Minister for Public Health]].<ref>{{cite news |date=17 May 2007 |title=The Scottish Executive |work=[[The Herald (Glasgow)]] |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/the-scottish-executive-1.842205 |access-date=27 September 2014 |archive-date=18 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118070551/http://www.heraldscotland.com/the-scottish-executive-1.842205 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, she added [[Minister for Public Health and Sport|Sport]] onto her portfolio.<ref name="session3">{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.scot/msps/26650.aspx |title=Previous MSPs: Session 3 (2007–2011): Shona Robison MSP |publisher=Scottish Parliament |access-date=14 May 2016 |archive-date=5 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605070722/http://www.parliament.scot/msps/26650.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2011 Scottish Parliament election|2011 election]], Robison was re-elected into the newly drawn, [[Dundee City East (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Dundee City East constituency]]. She was appointed [[Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport]].
@@ Line 88: / Line 109: @@
 In April 2014, [[Alex Salmond]] promoted her to the full Cabinet position of [[Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games, Sport, Equalities and Pensioners' Rights]].
-=== Health Secretary ===
+=== Health Secretary; 2014 to 2018 ===
-[[File:Shona Robison speaks at QBR visit to Canadian Parliament (14070892691).jpg|thumb|left|Robison speaking at the [[Parliament of Canada]], 2014]]On 21 November 2014, Robison was appointed by Sturgeon as [[Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport]], in [[First Sturgeon government|Sturgeon's first government]]. Following the 2016 election, she was reappointed into Sturgeon's cabinet as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport.<ref name="BBC 18May2016">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36323276 | title=Scottish cabinet reshuffle: John Swinney becomes education secretary | work=BBC News | date=18 May 2016 | access-date=21 March 2017 | archive-date=18 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818120524/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36323276 | url-status=live }}</ref>
+On 21 November 2014, Robison was appointed by Sturgeon as [[Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport]], in [[First Sturgeon government|Sturgeon's first government]]. Following the 2016 election, she was reappointed into Sturgeon's cabinet as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport.<ref name="BBC 18May2016">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36323276 | title=Scottish cabinet reshuffle: John Swinney becomes education secretary | work=BBC News | date=18 May 2016 | access-date=21 March 2017 | archive-date=18 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818120524/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36323276 | url-status=live }}</ref>[[File:Shona Robison speaks at QBR visit to Canadian Parliament (14070892691).jpg|thumb|left|Robison speaking at the [[Parliament of Canada]], 2014]]In January 2018, during an appearance at Holyrood's Health and Sport Committee, she was warned by Labour MSP [[Neil Findlay]] of a "drugs disaster".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15816408.health-secretary-shona-robison-warned-drugs-disaster-labour-msp/|title=Health Secretary Shona Robison warned of 'drugs disaster' by Labour MSP|website=HeraldScotland|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503093604/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15816408.health-secretary-shona-robison-warned-drugs-disaster-labour-msp/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, Scotland went on to record the highest number of drug deaths per head in the European Union, at a rate nearly three times higher than the UK average.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.scot/news/1-187-drug-deaths-in-2018-up-27-percent-in-a-year/|title=1,187 drug-deaths in 2018: up 27% in a year - gov.scot|website=www.gov.scot|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503141631/https://www.gov.scot/news/1-187-drug-deaths-in-2018-up-27-percent-in-a-year/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-In January 2018, during an appearance at Holyrood's Health and Sport Committee, she was warned by Labour MSP [[Neil Findlay]] of a "drugs disaster".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15816408.health-secretary-shona-robison-warned-drugs-disaster-labour-msp/|title=Health Secretary Shona Robison warned of 'drugs disaster' by Labour MSP|website=HeraldScotland|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503093604/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15816408.health-secretary-shona-robison-warned-drugs-disaster-labour-msp/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, Scotland went on to record the highest number of drug deaths per head in the European Union, at a rate nearly three times higher than the UK average.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.scot/news/1-187-drug-deaths-in-2018-up-27-percent-in-a-year/|title=1,187 drug-deaths in 2018: up 27% in a year - gov.scot|website=www.gov.scot|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503141631/https://www.gov.scot/news/1-187-drug-deaths-in-2018-up-27-percent-in-a-year/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-On 26 June 2018, she announced her intention to resign from Cabinet. Shortly after a cabinet reshuffle was made by Sturgeon.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-44612923 |title=Shona Robison quits as Nicola Sturgeon reshuffles cabinet |work=BBC News |date=26 June 2018 |access-date=11 November 2018 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118012838/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-44612923 |url-status=live }}</ref> BBC political correspondent [[Glenn Campbell (broadcaster)|Glenn Campbell]] wrote after the reshuffle: "The most widely anticipated departure was that of health secretary, Shona Robison. She's been under considerable pressure over NHS performance. She stood down on the day the Scottish government confirmed its worst cancer waiting times for six years."<ref name="auto"/>
+On 26 June 2018, she announced her intention to resign from Cabinet. Shortly after a cabinet reshuffle was made by Sturgeon.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-44612923 |title=Shona Robison quits as Nicola Sturgeon reshuffles cabinet |work=BBC News |date=26 June 2018 |access-date=11 November 2018 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118012838/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-44612923 |url-status=live }}</ref> BBC political correspondent [[Glenn Campbell (broadcaster)|Glenn Campbell]] wrote after the reshuffle: "The most widely anticipated departure was t/hat of health secretary, Shona Robison. She's been under considerable pressure over NHS performance. She stood down on the day the Scottish government confirmed its worst cancer waiting times for six years."<ref name="auto"/>
-=== Backbencher ===
+=== Backbencher; 2018 to 2021 ===
 Following her resignation from government, Robison returned to the [[Backbencher|backbenches]]. She served on the Parliament's Justice Committee and Social Security Committee. Amid the outbreak of the [[COVID-19 pandemic|Coronavirus pandemic]], she served as a member of the COVID-19 Committee.
 In February 2021, [[Audit Scotland]] published a report that concluded the Scottish Government had not prepared adequately for a pandemic. The watchdog also noted that recommendations from pandemic planning exercises during Robison's time as Health Secretary had not been fully implemented. One particular failure it highlighted was that not enough had been done to ensure Scottish hospitals and care homes had enough personal protective equipment (PPE). Overall, it concluded that ministers "could have been better prepared to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic". Nicola Sturgeon said there were "lots of lessons to learn".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56086995|title=Covid in Scotland: Inadequate preparations for Covid, says watchdog|work=BBC News|date=17 February 2021|access-date=20 April 2021|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420190007/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56086995|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/17/scottish-government-inadequately-prepared-for-covid-audit-scotland-report|title=Scottish government inadequately prepared for Covid – watchdog|last=Brooks|first=Libby|date=17 February 2021|website=The Guardian|access-date=8 May 2021|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424084033/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/17/scottish-government-inadequately-prepared-for-covid-audit-scotland-report|url-status=live}}</ref>
-=== Return to Government ===
+=== Social Justice Secretary; 2021 to 2023 ===
+{{See also|Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill}}
 On 20 May 2021, Sturgeon announced her third government, with Robison returning as [[Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government]].
-=== Deputy First Minister===
+== Deputy First Minister (2023-present) ==
+{{See also|Premiership of Humza Yousaf}}
-In 2023, Robison was named  deputy first minister by new first minister, [[Humza Yousaf]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/mar/28/humza-yousaf-snp-unity-bid-stumbles-kate-forbes-declines-cabinet-offer-scotland |title=Humza Yousaf says FM vote sends 'strong message' but SNP unity bid stumbles |newspaper=The Guardian |date=28 March 2023 |last1=Brooks |first1=Libby |access-date=29 March 2023 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328195553/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/mar/28/humza-yousaf-snp-unity-bid-stumbles-kate-forbes-declines-cabinet-offer-scotland |url-status=live }}</ref>
+On 28 March 2023, newly elected First Minister [[Humza Yousaf]] announced Robison as his [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|deputy first minister of Scotland]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/mar/28/humza-yousaf-snp-unity-bid-stumbles-kate-forbes-declines-cabinet-offer-scotland |title=Humza Yousaf says FM vote sends 'strong message' but SNP unity bid stumbles |newspaper=The Guardian |date=28 March 2023 |last1=Brooks |first1=Libby |access-date=29 March 2023 |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328195553/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/mar/28/humza-yousaf-snp-unity-bid-stumbles-kate-forbes-declines-cabinet-offer-scotland |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hutcheon |first=Paul |date=2023-03-28 |title=Shona Robison appointed Deputy First Minister by Humza Yousaf |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/shona-robison-appointed-deputy-first-29570499 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}</ref> She was officially sworn into office the next day and was appointed [[Cabinet Secretary for Finance|finance secretary]] in [[Yousaf government|Yousaf's new government]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-29 |title=Shona Robison replaces Kate Forbes as finance secretary in new cabinet |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65112195 |access-date=2023-04-02}}</ref>
 ==Personal life==
-She was married to [[Stewart Hosie]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080306/debtext/80306-0018.htm | title=International Women's Day Debate | date=6 March 2008 | work=House of Commons Hansard Debates | access-date=3 May 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605021451/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080306/debtext/80306-0018.htm | archive-date=5 June 2011 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> who is the Westminster MP for Dundee East and was previously the SNP's Depute Leader. They have one daughter. It was announced on 15 May 2016 that the couple separated.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/snp-husband-and-wife-stewart-hosie-and-shona-robison-separate-1-4129072|title=SNP husband and wife Stewart Hosie and Shona Robison separate|work=The Scotsman|date=16 May 2016|access-date=11 November 2018|archive-date=24 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624121334/https://www.scotsman.com/news/snp-husband-and-wife-stewart-hosie-and-shona-robison-separate-1-4129072|url-status=live}}</ref> This was followed by reports that Hosie had had an affair with Westminster-based freelance journalist [[Serena Cowdy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/16/snps-stewart-hosie-and-angus-macneil-split-from-wives-over-alleg/|title=SNP MPs Stewart Hosie and Angus MacNeil split from wives over alleged affairs with same woman|first=Telegraph|last=Reporters|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=17 May 2016|via=www.telegraph.co.uk|access-date=24 June 2018|archive-date=25 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625071449/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/16/snps-stewart-hosie-and-angus-macneil-split-from-wives-over-alleg/|url-status=live}}</ref>
+She was married to [[Stewart Hosie]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080306/debtext/80306-0018.htm | title=International Women's Day Debate | date=6 March 2008 | work=House of Commons Hansard Debates | access-date=3 May 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605021451/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080306/debtext/80306-0018.htm | archive-date=5 June 2011 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> who is the Westminster MP for Dundee East and was previously the SNP's Depute Leader. They have one daughter. Robison experienced a miscarriage in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mandy Rhodes |title=We must ease this silent sorrow: Former health secretary Shona Robison on the grief of losing a baby and why it is time to talk about miscarriage |url=https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/we-must-ease-this-silent-sorrow-former-health-secretary-shona-robison-on-the-grief-of-losing-a-baby-and-why-it-is-time-to-talk-about-miscarriage/ |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=The Sunday Post |language=en-US}}</ref> It was announced on 15 May 2016 that the couple separated.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/snp-husband-and-wife-stewart-hosie-and-shona-robison-separate-1-4129072|title=SNP husband and wife Stewart Hosie and Shona Robison separate|work=The Scotsman|date=16 May 2016|access-date=11 November 2018|archive-date=24 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624121334/https://www.scotsman.com/news/snp-husband-and-wife-stewart-hosie-and-shona-robison-separate-1-4129072|url-status=live}}</ref> This was followed by reports that Hosie had had an affair with Westminster-based freelance journalist [[Serena Cowdy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/16/snps-stewart-hosie-and-angus-macneil-split-from-wives-over-alleg/|title=SNP MPs Stewart Hosie and Angus MacNeil split from wives over alleged affairs with same woman|first=Telegraph|last=Reporters|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=17 May 2016|via=www.telegraph.co.uk|access-date=24 June 2018|archive-date=25 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625071449/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/16/snps-stewart-hosie-and-angus-macneil-split-from-wives-over-alleg/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 ==Footnotes==

v t e Scottish Cabinet
Swinney government
First Minister	John Swinney
Deputy First Minister	Kate Forbes
Cabinet Secretaries	Kate Forbes (Economy and Gaelic) Shona Robison (Finance and Local Government) Neil Gray (Health and Social Care) Jenny Gilruth (Education and Skills) Màiri McAllan (Net Zero and Energy) Fiona Hyslop (Transport) Mairi Gougeon (Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands) Angus Robertson (Constitution, External Affairs and Culture) Shirley-Anne Somerville (Social Justice) Angela Constance (Justice and Home Affairs)
May attend cabinet	Dorothy Bain (Lord Advocate) John-Paul Marks (Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government) Jamie Hepburn (Minister for Parliamentary Business) Colin McAllister (Chief of Staff to the First Minister)
Category Politics of Scotland

v t e Members of the Scottish Parliament in the North East Scotland region
Elected in the 2021 election
Constituency MSPs	Kevin Stewart (SNP, Aberdeen Central) Jackie Dunbar (SNP, Aberdeen Donside) Audrey Nicoll (SNP, Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) Gillian Martin (SNP, Aberdeenshire East) Alexander Burnett (Con, Aberdeenshire West) Mairi Gougeon (SNP, Angus North and Mearns) Graeme Dey (SNP, Angus South) Karen Adam (SNP, Banffshire and Buchan Coast) Shona Robison (SNP, Dundee East) Joe FitzPatrick (SNP, Dundee West)
Additional members	Maggie Chapman (Green) Maurice Golden (Con) Liam Kerr (Con) Douglas Lumsden (Con) Michael Marra (Lab) Mercedes Villalba (Lab) Tess White (Con)
SNP (9 seats), Conservative (5 seats), Labour (2 seats), Green (1 seat)

v t e Scottish National Party MSPs
First Minister	John Swinney
Cabinet secretaries	Angela Constance Kate Forbes Jenny Gilruth Mairi Gougeon Neil Gray Fiona Hyslop Màiri McAllan Angus Robertson Shona Robison Shirley-Anne Somerville
Junior ministers	George Adam Tom Arthur Siobhian Brown Graeme Dey Natalie Don Jim Fairlie Joe FitzPatrick Jamie Hepburn Richard Lochhead Gillian Martin Christina McKelvie Paul McLennan Jenni Minto Emma Roddick Kaukab Stewart Maree Todd
Backbench	Karen Adam Clare Adamson Alasdair Allan Colin Beattie Keith Brown Stephanie Callaghan Willie Coffey Bob Doris James Dornan Jackie Dunbar Annabelle Ewing Fergus Ewing Kenneth Gibson Christine Grahame Emma Harper Clare Haughey Bill Kidd Gordon MacDonald Fulton MacGregor Rona Mackay Ben Macpherson Ruth Maguire John Mason Michael Matheson Ivan McKee Stuart McMillan Marie McNair Audrey Nicoll Collette Stevenson Kevin Stewart Nicola Sturgeon Michelle Thomson David Torrance Evelyn Tweed Elena Whitham Humza Yousaf
Category Politics of Scotland