Labour MSP's dismayed at return of 'awful' Rhona Brankin

Jack McConnell angered and dismayed many of his Labour colleagues yesterday by naming Rhona Brankin as his new Communities Minister. Ms Brankin, 56, who had been deputy minister at environment and rural affairs, was promoted to full cabinet rank despite a reputation for being ineffectual.

In 2001 she was burned in effigy by fishermen protesting at cuts in the Scottish fleet, while last year she was forced to gut a bill meant to reform crofting after warnings that it was more likely to destroy crofting altogether. In the eyes of many MSPs, the First Minister chose Ms Brankin because of geography rather than talent - in order to restore the east-west balance among his ministers.

Until he was forced to resign as Communities Minister last month for backing an SNP motion against renewing Trident, Malcolm Chisholm had been the only Labour minister representing a constituency outside west central Scotland.

The appointment of Ms Brankin, who represents Midlothian, means there are as many female Labour ministers as males for the first time. A senior Labour figure admitted to being "gobsmacked" by Ms Brankin's promotion, describing it as "a reward for incompetence". One Labour MSP added: "There's no-one who rates her." Another summed up the new minister as "awful".

Inside cabinet, it is understood Health Minister Andy Kerr is one of Ms Brankin's sharpest critics, and is thought to have warned Mr McConnell against making her education minister last year. Ms Brankin's promotion appeared to come as a particular blow to Labour's Allan Wilson, who has toiled as a deputy in various portfolios for the past six years, but whose seat is in Ayrshire. Mr Wilson, who seemed to have dressed up in readiness for the TV cameras, looked crestfallen when it emerged the job had gone to someone else.

As if aware of the rumblings on his back benches, Mr McConnell made the unusual decision not to appear beside Ms Brankin as she left Bute House just after noon. Her low-key exit contrasted with the recent appointments of Hugh Henry as Education Minister and Elish Angioloni as Lord Advocate, both of whom were accompanied by a beaming Mr McConnell.

Ms Brankin's replacement in the deputy environment job is Sarah Boyack, 45, a former Transport Minister who was sacked in 2001. Like Ms Brankin, Ms Boyack also represents an east-coast seat - Edinburgh Central - although as a popular convener of Holyrood's environment committee she was a natural choice for her post.

Ms Brankin's portfolio is likely to be undemanding until the election. A major planning bill has already passed through parliament, while financial issues with the Glasgow Housing Association, which occupied much of Mr Chisholm's time, should also be quiet as the GHA is in the process of finding a new chief executive.

In a letter to Ms Brankin, the First Minister said her first task would be the launch of a strategy on Scotland's ageing population. He also expected her to take a lead on the voluntary sector, tackling racism, work with faith communities, social housing and homelessness.
"I know you will give the post your full commitment and energy, and I have every confidence in you being a highly successful minister," he said. Ms Brankin said she was "delighted" with the new post, but admitted there were "some challenging times ahead".

Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader at Holyrood, said she wished Ms Brankin well "in what will be a very short period in office". She added the appointment had only come about because the First Minister could not bear any Trident critics in his cabinet.

(from the Herald)

[This is pretty funny, but what a shame for the people of Midlothian (where my home town of Mayfield, Dalkeith is) who are stuck with the awful New Labourite Brankin. Let's hope she gets kicked out next time. JOE]