‘LAST month I was honoured to accept a nomination from Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, to join the Scottish Government as Minister for Europe and International Development.

I want to assure readers that my role as the constituency MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes will continue. However, due to my Ministerial role I will no longer sit on Parliamentary committees, for example. Within my portfolio, my new Ministerial responsibilities include International development, Post-Brexit Relations, Cross government co-ordination on the European Union, Fair trade and the Scottish diaspora. I’m looking forward to playing my part in Government - it is a privilege to serve in Parliament and now in Government.

I have often used this column to remind Central Fife Times readers of the importance of Scotland’s distinct voice being heard in the Brexit negotiations. We remain in the Transition period until the end of the year, which means we have not yet officially left the EU. The devolution settlement means that the UK Government must consult and engage with the devolved Governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We have sadly seen little evidence of that consultation so far. Remember that those who campaigned for a ‘No’ vote in 2014 promised us that we were a ‘partnership of equals’. The Brexit negotiations will be a real test of the truth in that sentiment - if we are in partnership, we should be listened to, not sidelined. These negotiations are of particular importance when you consider that Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the European Union in 2016. Although Brexit has disrupted this relationship for now, it is the aim of the Scottish Government to promote a continued collaboration of our shared values and goals within Europe. In 2016 the Scottish Government published sensible proposals on Scotland’s Place in Europe; more recently we published our proposals on Immigration. Both of these have been dismissed out of hand by the UK Government.

Brexit will provide Scotland with a litmus test for maintaining the status quo. Readers will be aware that SNP politicians stood on a manifesto commitment in 2016, that should there be a material shift in circumstances - such as Scotland being dragged out of the EU against our will - then that would be grounds for a second Independence Referendum. That material shift has come to pass. Now we will see how valued the partnership is and how valuable Scotland’s voice is in this supposed Union of equals. Whatever happens next, Scotland must have the right to choose her own future’.