Liberal Democrat frontbench team
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| Ashdown Team (1997–1999) |
| Kennedy Team (1999–2006) |
| Campbell Team (2006–2007) |
| Cable Team (2007) |
| Clegg Team (2007–2010) |
| Farron Team (2015-present) |
The Liberal Democrats are a political party in the United Kingdom. While in opposition, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats appoints a frontbench team of Members of Parliament (MPs), Peers, Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and Members of the National Assembly for Wales (AMs), to speak for the party on different issues. Their areas of responsibility broadly corresponded to those of Government ministers. The shadow ministerial team is divided into departmental sub-units, the principle ones being the economy, foreign policy and home affairs. Sometimes the frontbench team consists of more than just the principle positions.
Contents
Status
Formerly, the Liberal Democrats frontbench team did not use the term 'Shadow Cabinet', with a number of front bench spokespeople covering areas (e.g., Defence and Foreign Affairs) rather than directly shadowing specific Cabinet portfolios. Under Charles Kennedy's leadership, and with the increase in numbers of Liberal Democrat MPs, the senior members of the front bench team referred to themselves as a Shadow Cabinet.
This was controversial, because in the two-party political system that dominated UK politics in the 20th century, the term 'Shadow Cabinet' referred to senior members of the frontbench team of the largest opposition party in the House of Commons. This party, known as the Official Opposition, has constitutional status, although its Shadow Cabinet does not. Following Charles Kennedy's decision to change the nomenclature, the UK Parliament's website now uses the term 'Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet' and does not use the old term 'Frontbench Team'.[1][2]
This is not without contention, and was disputed by the Conservative Party, who were then the Official Opposition. However, the official listing at the Parliament website is very explicit to use the term 'Shadow Cabinet'.[3] Gordon Brown made a notable remark that in the House of Commons in 2001:
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The House of Commons is in the unique position of having two shadow Chancellors: one sits in Folkestone and the other in Truro. It is rather like the mediaeval papacy: two hon. Members claim to hold the position of shadow Chancellor. I shall organise a play-off during the year.[4]
This is a theme to which then Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown returned, comparing and contrasting his frosty relationship with the official Shadow Chancellor George Osborne with his apparently warm relationship with Vince Cable (whom he has referred to as "the Shadow Chancellor from Twickenham").[5]
The Official Opposition receives support for its official function which is denied to smaller opposition parties, although they, along with every parliamentary party, do receive Short Money. Salaries are paid to the Opposition Leader and the Chief Whips but not to smaller opposition parties. Moreover, the Official Opposition has the exclusive use of facilities within Parliament.
Following the 2010 general election and the confirmation of Conservative David Cameron as Prime Minister on 11 May 2010, a coalition cabinet was formed that included Liberal Democrat ministers. The team was updated again during a September 2012 reshuffle.
Current Liberal Democrat frontbench team
| Member of the House of Commons | Member of the House of Lords | ||
| Member of the Scottish Parliament | Member of the Welsh Assembly | ||
| Member of local government | Privy Counsellor |
Attending Frontbench meetings
Tim Farron revealed his frontbench team on 29 July 2015.[6] The shadow ministers are as follows:
Not attending Frontbench meetings
| Portfolio | Name | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| President of the Liberal Democrats | Sal Brinton, Baroness Brinton | ||
| Spokesperson for Constitutional and Political Reform | Paul Tyler, Baron Tyler | ||
| Spokesperson for Mental Health | Claire Tyler, Baroness Tyler of Enfield | ||
| Spokesperson for Europe | Sarah Ludford, Baroness Ludford | ||
| Spokesperson for Special Educational Needs | Dominic Hubbard, 6th Baron Addington | ||
| Spokesperson for Voluntary Sector and Social Enterprise | Elizabeth Barker, Baroness Barker | ||
| Spokesperson for Creative Industries | Timothy Clement-Jones, Baron Clement-Jones | ||
| Spokesperson for Welfare | Archy Kirkwood, Baron Kirkwood of Kirkhope | ||
| Spokesperson for Sport, Tourism and Cultural Participation | Dee Doocey | ||
| Spokesperson for Children | Kath Pinnock, Baroness Pinnock | ||
| Spokesperson for Civil Service and Public Sector | Tim Razzall, Baron Razzall | ||
| Spokesperson for Communities, Decentralisation and the Northern Powerhouse | John Shipley, Baron Shipley | ||
| Spokesperson for Disability | Celia Thomas, Baroness Thomas of Winchester | ||
| Liberal Democrat Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales | Martin Thomas, Baron Thomas of Gresford | ||
Previous Frontbench Teams
Previous team key-members in summary:
| Party | Date | Leader | Economy | Foreign affairs | Home affairs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | April 1966 | Jo Grimond | Richard Wainwright | James Davidson | |
| January 1967 | Jeremy Thorpe | Richard Wainwright | James Davidson | ||
| June 1970 | Jeremy Thorpe | John Pardoe | Russell Johnston | ||
| 1975 | Jeremy Thorpe | John Pardoe | David Steel | ||
| May 1976 | Jo Grimond | John Pardoe | David Steel | ||
| July 1976 | David Steel | John Pardoe | Jeremy Thorpe | ||
| 1977 | David Steel | John Pardoe | Jeremy Thorpe | Emlyn Hooson | |
| May 1979 | David Steel | Richard Wainwright | Russell Johnston | ||
| October 1981 | David Steel | Richard Wainwright | Russell Johnston | Bill Pitt | |
| June 1983 | David Steel | Richard Wainwright | Russell Johnston | ||
| 1985 | David Steel | David Penhaligon | Alan Beith | ||
| January 1987 | David Steel | Alan Beith | |||
| June 1987 | David Steel | Alan Beith | Russell Johnston | ||
| Liberal Democrats |
March 1988 | David Steel and Robert Maclennan (co-leaders) |
Alan Beith | Russell Johnston | Robert Maclennan |
| July 1988 | Paddy Ashdown | Alan Beith | Russell Johnston | Robert Maclennan | |
| July 1989 | Paddy Ashdown | Alan Beith | David Steel | Robert Maclennan | |
| July 1994 | Paddy Ashdown | Malcolm Bruce | Menzies Campbell | Alan Beith | |
| August 1999 | Charles Kennedy | Matthew Taylor | Menzies Campbell | Simon Hughes | |
| June 2003 | Charles Kennedy | Vince Cable | Menzies Campbell | Mark Oaten | |
| January 2006 | Menzies Campbell (acting) |
Vince Cable | Menzies Campbell | Mark Oaten | |
| January 2006 | Menzies Campbell (acting) |
Vince Cable | Menzies Campbell | Alistair Carmichael | |
| March 2006 | Menzies Campbell | Vince Cable | Michael Moore | Nick Clegg | |
| October 2007 | Vince Cable (acting) |
Vince Cable | Michael Moore | Nick Clegg | |
| December 2007 | Nick Clegg | Vince Cable | Ed Davey | Chris Huhne | |
| May 2010 | Nick Clegg (Deputy Prime Minister) | David Laws (Chief Secretary to the Treasury) | Jeremy Browne (Minister of State for Foreign Affairs) | Tom McNally (Minister of State for Justice) | |
| May 2010 | Nick Clegg (Deputy Prime Minister) | Danny Alexander (Chief Secretary to the Treasury) | Jeremy Browne (Minister of State for Foreign Affairs) | Tom McNally (Minister of State for Justice) | |
| September 2012 | Nick Clegg (Deputy Prime Minister) | Danny Alexander (Chief Secretary to the Treasury) | Lynne Featherstone (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development) | Jeremy Browne (Minister of State for Home Affairs) | |
| October 2013 | Nick Clegg (Deputy Prime Minister) | Danny Alexander (Chief Secretary to the Treasury) | Lynne Featherstone (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development) | Norman Baker (Minister of State for Home Affairs) | |
| November 2014 | Nick Clegg (Deputy Prime Minister) | Danny Alexander (Chief Secretary to the Treasury) | Lynne Featherstone (Minister of State for Home Affairs) | ||
| January 2015 | Nick Clegg (Deputy Prime Minister) | Danny Alexander (Chief Secretary to the Treasury) | Tim Farron | Lynne Featherstone (Minister of State for Home Affairs) | |
| May 2015 | Nick Clegg | Norman Lamb | Tim Farron | Tom McNally | |
| July 2015 | Tim Farron | Susan Kramer | Tom Brake | Alistair Carmichael |
See also
- Cabinet of the United Kingdom
- British Government frontbench
- Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet (United Kingdom)
- List of British shadow cabinets
References
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- ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33700930
External links
| Official Opposition |
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| Liberal Democrats | |
| Scottish National Party |
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1965 to Present
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