Editing Shona Robison (section)

=== SNP in opposition; 1997–2007 ===
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=23 March 2022 |website=www.parliament.scot |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" />