Stewart Hosie, Scottish businessman and politician
Stewart Hosie, a prominent figure in Scottish politics, is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician widely recognised for his extensive service as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Dundee East. Born on 3 January 1963, Mr. Hosie has built a distinguished career spanning over two decades in both Westminster and within the SNP's internal leadership structure, demonstrating a deep commitment to representing his constituency and advancing the party's objectives.
Stewart Hosie: Member of Parliament for Dundee East
Since his initial election in 2005, Stewart Hosie has consistently served as the Member of Parliament for the Dundee East constituency, a significant urban area in the east of Scotland. His long tenure as an MP, now exceeding eighteen years, highlights his strong local mandate and enduring dedication to his constituents. As an MP, his responsibilities include scrutinising government legislation, participating in parliamentary debates, representing the concerns of Dundee East residents in the House of Commons, and advocating for policies that benefit his local community and Scotland as a whole. His consistent re-election underscores his strong connection with the electorate in Dundee East, an area that has historically shown significant support for the Scottish National Party.
Key Shadow Cabinet Roles in Westminster
Stewart Hosie has held several significant shadow cabinet positions within the SNP's Westminster Group, demonstrating his expertise and influence across various policy areas. These roles are crucial in holding the UK Government to account and presenting the SNP's alternative policy approaches.
Current Responsibilities: Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office
Since 2021, Stewart Hosie has held the vital roles of SNP Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office. In these capacities, he is tasked with scrutinising the operations of the UK Government at its very core. The Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster shadows the minister responsible for the Duchy of Lancaster estate and often a Cabinet Office brief, allowing Mr. Hosie to focus on cross-government initiatives and the machinery of government. Concurrently, as Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, he is responsible for examining the functions, spending, and policies of the Cabinet Office, which supports the Prime Minister and oversees the efficient running of government, electoral matters, and aspects of civil service management. These roles position him at the heart of the SNP's efforts to hold the executive branch accountable on governance and administrative matters.
Previous High-Profile Westminster Roles
Prior to his current responsibilities, Mr. Hosie served in other prominent shadow positions, showcasing his versatile political acumen:
- SNP Deputy Westminster Leader (May 2015 – June 2017): In this role, he served as the principal deputy to the SNP Group Leader in the House of Commons, assisting in managing the party's parliamentary business, coordinating strategy, and representing the SNP on a national stage at Westminster. This position is integral to the effective functioning of a large opposition party's parliamentary group.
- SNP Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer (May 2015 – June 2017): Concurrently, he also held the crucial economic brief as the SNP Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer. In this capacity, Stewart Hosie was responsible for scrutinising the UK Government's economic and fiscal policies, including the budget, taxation, and spending plans. He would also articulate the SNP's alternative economic vision for Scotland and the UK. He was succeeded in both the Deputy Westminster Leader and Shadow Chancellor roles by Kirsty Blackman in June 2017.
Leadership within the Scottish National Party
Beyond his parliamentary duties, Stewart Hosie has played a significant role within the internal leadership of the Scottish National Party, demonstrating his influence and standing within the party itself.
Deputy Leader of the SNP (November 2014 – October 2016)
From November 2014 to October 2016, Stewart Hosie held the highly significant position of Deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party, serving alongside then-Leader Nicola Sturgeon. This role is one of the most senior elected positions within the party, second only to the Party Leader. As Deputy Leader, he would have been instrumental in shaping party strategy, representing the SNP at high-profile events, and supporting the Leader in advancing the party's political agenda, particularly during a period of heightened political activity following the 2014 Scottish independence referendum and leading up to the 2016 Scottish Parliament election.
Frequently Asked Questions about Stewart Hosie
- Who is Stewart Hosie?
- Stewart Hosie is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Dundee East since 2005. He has held various prominent roles within the SNP and in the UK Parliament, including a period as the Deputy Leader of the SNP.
- What is Stewart Hosie's current parliamentary role?
- Since 2021, Stewart Hosie has been serving as the SNP Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the SNP Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office. These roles involve scrutinising the UK Government's core operations and cross-government initiatives.
- When was Stewart Hosie the Deputy Leader of the SNP?
- Stewart Hosie served as the Deputy Leader of the Scottish National Party to Nicola Sturgeon from November 2014 until October 2016.
- What is the role of a Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer?
- The Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer is a key opposition front-bench role, responsible for scrutinising the government's economic policies, including the budget, taxation, and spending, and proposing alternative economic strategies. Stewart Hosie held this role for the SNP from May 2015 to June 2017.
- Which constituency does Stewart Hosie represent?
- Stewart Hosie represents the constituency of Dundee East in the Scottish city of Dundee. He has been its Member of Parliament since 2005.