Shirley-Anne Somerville

Shirley-Anne Somerville was born on 2 September 1974 in Cardenden in Fife.[4] She was educated at Kirkcaldy High School, before attending the University of Strathclyde from 1992 to 1996, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Economics and Politics. From 1997 to 1999, Somerville attended the University of Stirling, where she gained a Diploma in Housing Studies. Before being elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2007, she attended the Queen Margaret University, where she took a Diploma in Public Relations.[1][5]

She worked as a parliamentary researcher for Duncan Hamilton, who was the MSP for Highlands and Islands. From 2001 to 2004, she was a Policy and Public Affairs Officer at the Chartered Institute of Housing, before working as a Media and Campaigns Officer at the Royal College of Nursing from 2004 to 2007.[1][5]

Somerville joined the Scottish National Party (SNP) when she was 16.[6] As a member of the party's youth wing, she campaigned alongside Nicola Sturgeon and Shona Robison.

In the 2001 UK general election, Somerville stood as the SNP's candidate for Kirkcaldy, where she came in 2nd place with 22.2% of the vote. In the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, she was the candidate in the Edinburgh Central constituency, where she came in 3rd place with 25.5% of the vote.

Somerville (left), John Swinney (centre), and Michael Russell (right)

On 31 August 2007, Stefan Tymkewycz resigned his seat in the Scottish Parliament representing the Lothians region in order to concentrate on serving as a City of Edinburgh councillor. Somerville was selected by the SNP to succeed him.[7] In the 2011 Scottish Parliament election, she lost her seat.

On the launch of the cross-party Yes Scotland campaign in 2012, Somerville was announced as its director of communities.[8] She later stood as the SNP candidate in the Dunfermline by-election, 24th October 2013, coming second behind Cara Hilton of Scottish Labour. She did not return to her position in Yes Scotland after the by-election. She campaigned in favour of Scottish independence in the run up to the 2014 referendum.[8]

In the Scottish Parliament election of 2016, Somerville again stood in the Dunfermline constituency. This time she was successful in securing the seat, defeating Cara Hilton on a majority of 4,558 votes.

In May 2016, she was appointed Minister of Further Education, Higher Education and Science.[9]

Somerville at Scottish Government Press Conference on COVID-19, September 2020

On 26 June 2018, Sturgeon performed a cabinet reshuffle of her second cabinet. She promoted Somerville to the new cabinet level position of Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, succeeding Jeane Freeman who served as the junior minister equivalent. In February 2021, Christina McKelvie announced a short medical leave and her role was covered by Somerville as Minister for Equalities and Older People.[10]

In early 2020, Somerville announced the government would propose to amend the Gender Recognition Act 2004 of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.[11] The bill would make it easier for people to change their name legally, drop the requirement for medical evidence and lower the age limit for applications from 18 to 16. The bill has been opposed by For Women Scotland.[12][13] On an interview with STV, Somerville recognised that women's rights are exceptionally important and have been long-fought for. She emphasised her commitment not to jeopardise women's rights. Somerville hoped for the bill to be passed by the end of the 5th Scottish Parliament, however, delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic have affected this ambition.[14]

In the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, Somerville secured a second term as the MSP for the Dunfermline constituency.[15] The SNP fell two seats short of an overall majority in the election, however, remained the largest party, with more than double the seats of the Scottish Conservatives.[16] Sturgeon announced her intention to form a third administration and appointed Somerville as the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, succeeding John Swinney, who was mounted with pressure by opposition to resign.[17][18][19][20] The general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) Larry Flanagan welcomed her appointment, but added, "The first issue the Cabinet Secretary will need to address is an end to the scandal of temporary contracts throughout the education system.".[21]

Somerville before the Scottish Parliament's committee on education, October 2021

In June 2021, Somerville revealed plans to reform the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Education Scotland was under way.[22] The following year exams were scrapped and the SQA was criticised for down-grading teachers predictions which were based on pupil assessments.[23] After public outcry and protests from pupils, the Scottish Government u-turned it's decision and allowed teachers predictions to be considered for pupil grading.[24][25][26] In the 2021 exam diet, exams were cancelled too, but students claimed the "assessments" were the equivalent to exams.[27]

The OECD published a report on the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) and recommended the government considered creating a "specialist stand-alone agency responsible for curriculum".[28] Somerville responded: “The OECD report is crystal clear - Curriculum for Excellence is the right approach for Scotland. In fact, despite all the criticism here at home, the OECD tells us it is viewed internationally as an inspiring example of curriculum practice. However, 10 years on from CfE being introduced, it is right and proper that we review how it is being implemented.".[29]

In March 2022, Somerville confirmed the SQA would be replaced by Qualifications Scotland and Education Scotland would be replaced by a new executive agency by the summer of 2024.[30]