Shadow Cabinet of Jeremy Corbyn
Corbyn Shadow Cabinet | |
|---|---|
 Shadow Cabinet of the United Kingdom | |
| 2015 – 2020 | |
 Corbyn and members of his shadow cabinet at a session of Prime Minister's Questions in 2020 | |
| Date formed | 12 September 2015 |
| Date dissolved | 4 April 2020 |
| People and organisations | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Leader of the Opposition | Jeremy Corbyn |
| Shadow First Secretary | Angela Eagle (2015–16) Emily Thornberry (2017–20) |
| Member party | |
| Status in legislature | Official Opposition 232 / 650 (36%) (2015) 262 / 650 (40%) (2017)201 / 650 (31%) (2019) |
| History | |
| Elections | 2015 2016 |
| Outgoing election | 2020 |
| Legislature terms | 56th UK Parliament 57th UK Parliament 58th UK Parliament |
| Predecessor | Second Shadow Cabinet of Harriet Harman |
| Successor | Shadow Cabinet of Keir Starmer |
Jeremy Corbyn assumed the position of Leader of the Opposition after being elected as leader of the Labour Party on 12 September 2015; the election was triggered by Ed Miliband's resignation following the Labour Party's electoral defeat at the 2015 general election when David Cameron formed a majority Conservative government. The usual number of junior shadow ministers were also appointed.
Corbyn appointed his first Shadow Cabinet in September 2015. A small reshuffle occurred on 5 January 2016, with one further resignation on 11 January 2016. Dozens of further resignations occurred on 26 and 27 June 2016.[1]
The cabinet was reshuffled following the 2017 and 2019 general elections.
Shadow Cabinet from 2015 to 2020
[edit]| Portfolio | Shadow Minister | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Leader of the Opposition Leader of the Labour Party |
Jeremy Corbyn | 2015–2020 |
| Deputy Leader of the Labour Party | Tom Watson | 2015–2019 |
| Vacant | 2019–2020 | |
| Shadow First Secretary of State | Angela Eagle | 2015–2016 |
| Vacant | 2016–2017 | |
| Emily Thornberry | 2017–2020 | |
| Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer | John McDonnell | 2015–2020 |
| Shadow Foreign Secretary | Hilary Benn | 2015–2016 |
| Emily Thornberry | 2016–2020 | |
| Shadow Home Secretary | Andy Burnham | 2015–2016 |
| Lyn Brown | 2017 | |
| Diane Abbott | 2016–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (2015–2016) Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (2016–present) |
Angela Eagle | 2015–2016 |
| Jon Trickett | 2016 | |
| Clive Lewis | 2016–2017 | |
| Rebecca Long-Bailey | 2017–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care | Heidi Alexander | 2015–2016 |
| Diane Abbott | 2016 | |
| Jonathan Ashworth | 2016–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Education | Lucy Powell | 2015–2016 |
| Pat Glass | 2016 | |
| Angela Rayner | 2016–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union | Emily Thornberry | 2016 |
| Keir Starmer | 2016–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Justice Shadow Lord Chancellor |
The Lord Falconer of Thoroton | 2015–2016 |
| Richard Burgon | 2016–2020 | |
| Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities (2015–2017) Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities (2017–present) |
Kate Green | 2015–2016 |
| Angela Rayner | 2016 | |
| Sarah Champion | 2016–2017 | |
| Dawn Butler | 2017–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for International Development | Diane Abbott | 2015–2016 |
| Kate Osamor | 2016–2018 | |
| Dan Carden | 2018–2020 | |
| Shadow Leader of the House of Lords | The Baroness Smith of Basildon | 2015–2020 |
| Shadow Leader of the House of Commons | Chris Bryant | 2015–2016 |
| Paul Flynn | 2016 | |
| Valerie Vaz | 2016–2020 | |
| Shadow Lord President of the Council | Jon Trickett | 2016–2020 |
| Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office | Tom Watson | 2015–2016 |
| Ian Lavery | 2016–2017 | |
| Jon Trickett | 2017–2020 | |
| Shadow Minister of State for the Cabinet Office Deputy Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office |
Laura Smith | 2018 |
| Jo Platt | 2018–2019 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions | Owen Smith | 2015–2016 |
| Debbie Abrahams | 2016–2018 | |
| Margaret Greenwood | 2018–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Housing | John Healey | 2016–2020 |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government | Jon Trickett | 2015–2016 |
| Grahame Morris | 2016 | |
| Teresa Pearce | 2016–2017 | |
| Andrew Gwynne | 2017–2020 | |
| Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury | Seema Malhotra | 2015–2016 |
| Rebecca Long-Bailey | 2016–2017 | |
| Peter Dowd | 2017–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Wales | Nia Griffith | 2015–2016 |
| Paul Flynn | 2016 | |
| Jo Stevens | 2016–2017 | |
| Christina Rees | 2017–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland | Vernon Coaker | 2015–2016 |
| Dave Anderson | 2016–2017 | |
| Owen Smith | 2017–2018 | |
| Tony Lloyd | 2018–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland | Ian Murray | 2015–2016 |
| Dave Anderson | 2016–2017 | |
| Lesley Laird | 2017–2019 | |
| Tony Lloyd | 2019–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Transport | Lilian Greenwood | 2015–2016 |
| Andy McDonald | 2016–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Defence | Maria Eagle | 2015–2016 |
| Emily Thornberry | 2016 | |
| Clive Lewis | 2016 | |
| Nia Griffith | 2016–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade Shadow Minister for International Climate Change |
Barry Gardiner | 2016–2020 |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (2015-2017) Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (2017-2020) |
Michael Dugher | 2015–2016 |
| Maria Eagle | 2016 | |
| Kelvin Hopkins | 2016 | |
| Tom Watson | 2016–2019 | |
| Tracy Brabin | 2019–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | Kerry McCarthy | 2015–2016 |
| Rachael Maskell | 2016–2017 | |
| Sue Hayman | 2017–2019 | |
| Luke Pollard | 2019–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights | Laura Pidcock | 2019 |
| Rachael Maskell | 2019–2020 | |
| Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (2015–2016) | Lisa Nandy | 2015–2016 |
| Barry Gardiner | 2016 | |
| Shadow Attorney General | Catherine McKinnell | 2015–2016 |
| Karl Turner | 2016 | |
| The Baroness Chakrabarti | 2016–2020 | |
| Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Commons | Rosie Winterton | 2015–2016 |
| Nick Brown | 2016–2020 | |
| Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Lords | The Lord Bassam of Brighton | 2015–2018 |
| Lord McAvoy | 2018–2020 | |
| Shadow Minister for Mental Health (2015-2016) Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Social Care (2016-2020) |
Luciana Berger | 2015–2016 |
| Barbara Keeley | 2016–2020 | |
| Shadow Minister for Young People and Voter Registration (2015–2016) Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs (2016–present) |
Gloria De Piero | 2015–2016 |
| Cat Smith | 2016–2020 | |
| Shadow Minister without Portfolio | Jonathan Ashworth | 2015–2016 |
| Andrew Gwynne | 2016–2017 | |
| Ian Lavery | 2017–2020 | |
| Chairman of the Labour Party | Tom Watson | 2015–2017 |
| Ian Lavery | 2017–2020 | |
| Labour Party National Campaign Coordinator | Jon Trickett | 2015-2017 |
| Andrew Gwynne Ian Lavery |
2017–2020 | |
| Leader of the EPLP | Glenis Willmott | 2015–2017 |
| Richard Corbett | 2017-2020 |
Junior ministers by department
[edit] |
Key:
| Member of the House of Commons | |
| Member of the House of Lords | |
| Privy Counsellor | |
| Shadow Cabinet full members in bold | |
| Shadow Cabinet attendees in bold italics | |
Leader's Office and Cabinet Office
[edit]| Office of the Leader of the Opposition | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Leader of Her Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition Leader of the Labour Party |
Jeremy Corbyn | ||
| Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition | Steve Rotheram (2015–2017) | ||
| Kate Hollern (2017–2020) | |||
| Tan Dhesi (2020) | |||
| Deputy Leader of Her Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition Deputy Leader of the Labour Party |
Tom Watson | ||
| Shadow First Secretary of State | Angela Eagle (2015–2016) | ||
| Emily Thornberry (2017–2020) | |||
| Cabinet Office | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office | Tom Watson (2015–2016) | |
| Ian Lavery (2016–2017) | ||
| Jon Trickett (2017–2020) | ||
| Labour Party Chair | Tom Watson (2015–2017) | |
| Ian Lavery (2017–2020) | ||
| Shadow Lord President of the Council | Jon Trickett (2016–2020) | |
| Shadow Minister without Portfolio | Jon Ashworth (2015–2016) | |
| Andrew Gwynne (2016–2017) | ||
| Ian Lavery (2017–2020) | ||
| Co-National Campaign Coordinators | Ian Lavery (2017–2020) | |
| Andrew Gwynne (2017–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs | Gloria De Piero (2015–2016) | |
| Cat Smith (2016–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister of State for the Cabinet Office | Laura Smith (2018) | |
| Jo Platt (2018–2019)[2] | ||
| Cat Smith (2020) | ||
| Shadow Ministers for the Cabinet Office | Wayne David (2015–2016) | |
| Ian Lavery (2015–2016) | ||
| Chris Matheson (2018–2020) | ||
| Shadow Spokesperson in the House of Lords for the Cabinet Office | The Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town | |
Foreign Relations
[edit]| Foreign and Commonwealth Office | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Foreign Secretary | Hilary Benn (2015–2016) | ||
| Emily Thornberry[3] (2016–2020) | |||
| Shadow Minister for Europe | Pat McFadden (2015–2016) | ||
| Pat Glass (2016) | |||
| Fabian Hamilton (2016) | |||
| Khalid Mahmood (2016–2020) | |||
| Shadow Minister for Peace and Disarmament | Fabian Hamilton (2016–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Americas, Far East and Overseas Territories | Catherine West (2015–2017) | ||
| Helen Goodman (2017–2019) | |||
| Lloyd Russell-Moyle (2020) | |||
| Shadow Minister for the Middle East | Fabian Hamilton (2017–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Commonwealth | Stephen Doughty (2015–2016) | ||
| Fabian Hamilton (2016) | |||
| Liz McInnes (2016–2019) | |||
| Afzal Khan (2020) | |||
| Shadow Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs | Diana Johnson (2015–2016) | ||
| David Hanson (2015) | |||
| Shadow Spokesperson in the House of Lords | The Lord Collins of Highbury (2015–2020) | ||
| Defence | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Secretary of State for Defence | Maria Eagle (2015–2016) | |
| Emily Thornberry (2016) | ||
| Clive Lewis (2016) | ||
| Nia Griffith (2016–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces | Kevan Jones (2015–2016) | |
| Kate Hollern (2016) | ||
| Wayne David (2016–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister of State for Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans | Rachael Maskell (2015–2016) | |
| Vacant (2016–2017) | ||
| Gerald Jones (2017–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Defence Procurement | Wayne David (2016–2020) | |
| Stephen Morgan (2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Defence | Toby Perkins (2015–2016) | |
| Shadow Spokesperson in the House of Lords | The Lord Tunnicliffe | |
| International Development | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Secretary of State for International Development | Diane Abbott (2015–2016) | |
| Kate Osamor (2016–2018) | ||
| Dan Carden (2018–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for International Development | Mike Kane (2015–2016) | |
| Imran Hussain (2016–2017) | ||
| Roberta Blackman-Woods (2017–2018) | ||
| Dan Carden (2018) | ||
| Preet Gill (2018–2020) | ||
| International Trade | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade | Barry Gardiner (2016–2020) | |
| Shadow Minister for International Trade | Bill Esterson (2016–2020) | |
| Judith Cummins (2018–2020) | ||
| Brexit | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union | Emily Thornberry (2016) | |
| Keir Starmer (2016–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Exiting the European Union | Paul Blomfield (2016–2020) | |
| Matthew Pennycook (2016–2019) | ||
| Jenny Chapman (2016–2019) | ||
| Thangam Debbonaire (2020) | ||
Home Affairs
[edit]| Home Office | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Home Secretary | Andy Burnham (2015–2016) | |
| Diane Abbott (2016–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Immigration | Keir Starmer (2015–2016) | |
| Afzal Khan (2017–2020) | ||
| Bell Ribeiro-Addy (2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Crime Reduction | Lyn Brown (2015–2016) | |
| Rupa Huq (2016–2017) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Security | Nick Thomas-Symonds (2017–2020) | |
| Shadow Minister for Safeguarding | Sarah Champion (2015–2016) | |
| Carolyn Harris (2016–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Policing | Jack Dromey (2015–2016) | |
| Lyn Brown (2016–2017) | ||
| Louise Haigh (2017–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Fire and Emergency Services | Chris Williamson (2017–2018) | |
| Karen Lee (2018–2019) | ||
| Attorney General's Office | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Attorney General | Catherine McKinnell (2015–2016) | |
| Karl Turner (2016) | ||
| Baroness Chakrabarti (2016–2020) | ||
| Shadow Solicitor General | Karl Turner (2015–2016) | |
| Jo Stevens (2016) | ||
| Nick Thomas-Symonds (2016–2020) | ||
| Ministry of Justice | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Justice Secretary | Lord Falconer (2015–2016) | |
| Richard Burgon (2016–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Prisons | Jenny Chapman (2015–2016) | |
| Imran Hussain (2017–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Courts and Legal Aid | Andy Slaughter (2015–2016) | |
| Yasmin Qureshi (2016–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Justice | Wayne David (2015–2016) | |
| Karl Turner (2015–2016) | ||
| Jo Stevens (2016) | ||
| Christina Rees (2016–2017) | ||
| Gloria De Piero (2017–2019) | ||
| Bambos Charalambous (2020) | ||
Economy
[edit]| Treasury | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer | John McDonnell (2015–2020) | ||
| Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury | Seema Malhotra (2015–2016) | ||
| Rebecca Long-Bailey (2016–2017) | |||
| Peter Dowd (2017–2020) | |||
| Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury | Rob Marris (2015–2026) | ||
| Peter Dowd (2016–2017) | |||
| Anneliese Dodds (2017–2020) | |||
| Shadow Economic Secretary to the Treasury | Richard Burgon (2015–2016) | ||
| Jonathan Reynolds (2016–2020) | |||
| Shadow Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury | Lyn Brown (2018–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Sustainable Economics | Clive Lewis (2018–2020) | ||
| Shadow Treasury Minister | Rebecca Long-Bailey (2015–2016) | ||
| Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy | Angela Eagle (2015–2016) | ||
| Jon Trickett (2016) | |||
| Clive Lewis (2016–2017) | |||
| Rebecca Long-Bailey (2017–2020) | |||
| Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights & Protections | Laura Pidcock (2019) | ||
| Rachael Maskell (2020) | |||
| Shadow Minister for Labour | Jack Dromey (2016–2018) | ||
| Laura Pidcock (2018–2019) | |||
| Justin Madders (2018–2019) | |||
| Shadow Minister for Digital Economy | Chi Onwurah (2015–2016) | ||
| Louise Haigh (2016–2017) | |||
| Liam Byrne (2017–2020) | |||
| Shadow Minister for Small Business | Bill Esterson (2015–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Business, Innovation & Skills | Yvonne Fovargue (2015–2016) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Trade & Investment | Stephen Doughty (2015) | ||
| Kevin Brennan (2015–2016) | |||
| Shadow Minister for Higher Education, Further Education & Skills | Gordon Marsden (2015–2019) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy | Chi Onwurah (2016–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Steel, Postal Affairs & Consumer Protection | Gill Furniss (2016–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Climate Justice & Green Jobs | Danielle Rowley (2019) | ||
| Energy and Climate Change (2015–2016) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change | Lisa Nandy (2015–2016) | |
| Barry Gardiner (2016) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Energy | Barry Gardiner (2015–2016) | |
| Alan Whitehead (2016–2020) | ||
| Shadow Minister for Climate Change | Clive Lewis (2015–2016) | |
| Alan Whitehead (2015–2016) | ||
| Shadow Minister for International Climate Change | Barry Gardiner (2016–2020) | |
Social Services
[edit]Environment
[edit]Housing, Communities and Local Government
[edit]Devolved Nations
[edit]Parliament
[edit]Creation
[edit]Corbyn named his first Shadow Cabinet appointments on 13 September and announced its full composition on 14 September. One of Labour's largest reshuffles, the announcement was further delayed by a large number of previous Shadow Cabinet members publicly announcing they would not participate under Corbyn, even if called to do so. The following members declined to serve:
- Chris Leslie was replaced as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer by John McDonnell[4]
- Yvette Cooper was replaced as Shadow Home Secretary by Andy Burnham[4]
- Chuka Umunna was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills by Angela Eagle; who was further appointed Shadow First Secretary of State, deputising at Prime Minister's Questions, a role that was filled by Hilary Benn in the previous Shadow Cabinet[4]
- Rachel Reeves was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by Owen Smith,[4] though she was on maternity leave at the time of her announcement and the brief had been filled by Stephen Timms since shortly after the general election, who himself rejected a junior role[5]
- Tristram Hunt was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Education by Lucy Powell[4]
- Emma Reynolds was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government by Jon Trickett, who was also appointed to a new role as Shadow Minister for the Constitutional Convention[4]
- Caroline Flint was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change by Lisa Nandy[4]
- Mary Creagh was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for International Development by Diane Abbott[6]
- Shabana Mahmood was replaced as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury by Seema Malhotra[4]
- Liz Kendall resigned as Shadow Minister for Care and Older People (attending Shadow Cabinet); a junior minister appointment was not announced immediately.[4] Barbara Keeley was appointed in October 2016.
The remaining changes were as follows:
- Harriet Harman, who had previously announced she would step down from frontbench politics after nearly 30 years, was replaced as Deputy Leader by Tom Watson, who also replaced Powell as Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office
- Burnham was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Health by Heidi Alexander
- Vernon Coaker was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Defence by Maria Eagle
- Angela Eagle was replaced as Shadow Leader of the House of Commons by Chris Bryant
- Michael Dugher was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Transport by Lilian Greenwood
- Ivan Lewis, who stated he was willing to serve, was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by Coaker[7]
- Owen Smith was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales by Nia Griffith
- Maria Eagle was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by Kerry McCarthy
- Bryant was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by Dugher
- Trickett was replaced as Shadow Minister without Portfolio by Jonathan Ashworth, not as a full member, like Trickett, but still attending Shadow Cabinet
- Gloria De Piero was replaced as Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities by Kate Green, but was appointed to a new role as Shadow Minister for Young People and Voter Registration with full Shadow Cabinet membership
- Luciana Berger was appointed to a new role as Shadow Minister for Mental Health with full Shadow Cabinet membership
- Willy Bach was replaced as Shadow Attorney General (attending Shadow Cabinet) by Catherine McKinnell
- Roberta Blackman-Woods was replaced as Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning by John Healey, though Healey would be attending Shadow Cabinet, unlike Blackman-Woods
Composition
[edit]- In his inaugural Shadow Cabinet, 17 out of 31 members were women, making it the first frontbench team in British parliamentary history to comprise a female majority. Corbyn was criticised for giving what are traditionally seen as the top jobs (Chancellor, Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary) to men, although he insisted that positions such as Education and Health Secretary were just as important.[8]
- All members of Corbyn's first Shadow Cabinet previously voted in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.[9]
January 2016 reshuffle
[edit]On 6 January 2016, Corbyn replaced Shadow Culture Secretary Michael Dugher with Shadow Defence Secretary Maria Eagle (who was in turn replaced by Shadow Employment Minister Emily Thornberry).[10] He also replaced Shadow Europe Minister (not attending Shadow Cabinet) Pat McFadden with Pat Glass.[10] The reshuffle prompted three junior shadow ministers to resign in solidarity with McFadden: Shadow Rail Minister Jonathan Reynolds, Shadow Defence Minister Kevan Jones and Shadow Foreign Minister Stephen Doughty.[10][citation needed][11] On 7 January, Reynolds was replaced by Andy McDonald, Doughty by Fabian Hamilton, Jones by Kate Hollern and Thornberry by Angela Rayner; as well as appointing Jenny Chapman to the education team and Jo Stevens to the justice team.[12]
On 11 January 2016, Shadow Attorney General Catherine McKinnell resigned, citing party infighting, family reasons and a wish to speak in Parliament away from front-bench responsibilities. She was replaced by Karl Turner.[13]
June 2016 reshuffle
[edit]Resignations
[edit]On Sunday 26 June and Monday 27 June 2016, a number of members of the shadow cabinet either resigned or were sacked. This process began with Jeremy Corbyn sacking Hilary Benn as Shadow Foreign Secretary in the early hours of Sunday morning after Corbyn informed Benn that he knew Benn had been constructing a coup against the Leadership during the run up to the vote to leave the European Union. Subsequently, the following resigned (in chronological order):
- Heidi Alexander – Shadow Health Secretary[14][15][16]
- Gloria De Piero – Shadow Minister for Young People and Voter Registration[15][16]
- Ian Murray – Shadow Scottish Secretary[15][16]
- Lilian Greenwood – Shadow Transport Secretary[15][16]
- Lucy Powell – Shadow Education Secretary[15][16]
- Kerry McCarthy – Shadow Environment Secretary[15][16]
- Seema Malhotra – Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury[15][16]
- Vernon Coaker – Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary[15][16]
- Charles Falconer – Shadow Justice Secretary[15][16]
- Karl Turner – Shadow Attorney General[15][16]
- Chris Bryant – Shadow Leader of the House of Commons[15][16]
- Diana Johnson – Shadow Foreign and Commonwealth Minister[16]
On 27 June:
- Lisa Nandy – Shadow Energy Secretary[15][16]
- Owen Smith – Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary[15][16]
- Angela Eagle – Shadow First Secretary of State and Shadow Business Secretary[15][16]
- John Healey – Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning[15][16]
- Nia Griffith – Shadow Welsh Secretary[15][16]
- Maria Eagle – Shadow Culture Secretary[15][16]
- Kate Green – Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities[15][16]
- Luciana Berger – Shadow Minister for Mental Health[15][16]
On 29 June:
All cited concerns over the EU vote and Corbyn's leadership.[14][citation needed]
Lords leader Angela Smith of Basildon and Lords chief whip Steve Bassam stated they would boycott shadow cabinet meetings while Jeremy Corbyn remained leader. They remained members of the shadow cabinet as these positions are elected by the Labour members of the upper chamber. They returned to attending shadow cabinet four months later.[17][18]
New appointments
[edit]Following the resignations, Corbyn appointed several new MPs to shadow cabinet positions:[19]
- Emily Thornberry – Shadow Foreign Secretary
- Diane Abbott – Shadow Health Secretary
- Pat Glass – Shadow Education Secretary (resigned on 29 June 2016)
- Andy McDonald – Shadow Transport Secretary
- Clive Lewis – Shadow Defence Secretary
- Rebecca Long-Bailey – Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
- Kate Osamor – Shadow International Development Secretary (resigned on 1 December 2018)
- Rachael Maskell – Shadow Environment Secretary
- Cat Smith – Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs
- Dave Anderson – Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary
- Dave Anderson – Shadow Scottish Secretary
- Richard Burgon – Shadow Justice Secretary
- Debbie Abrahams – Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary
- Grahame Morris – Shadow Communities Secretary
- Barry Gardiner – Shadow Energy Secretary
- Jon Trickett – Shadow Lord President of the Council
- Jon Trickett – Shadow Business Secretary
- Angela Rayner – Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities (later appointed Shadow Education Secretary)
- Angela Rayner – Shadow Education Secretary
- Paul Flynn – Shadow Secretary of State for Wales[20]
- Paul Flynn – Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
- Kelvin Hopkins – Shadow Culture Secretary
- Emily Thornberry – Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union
- Barry Gardiner – Shadow International Trade Secretary
October 2016 reshuffle
[edit]Following his victory in the 2016 Labour leadership election, Jeremy Corbyn began a reshuffle of his cabinet on 7 October:[21]
- Leader of the Opposition – Jeremy Corbyn
- Deputy Leader and Shadow Culture Secretary – Tom Watson
- Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer – John McDonnell
- Shadow Foreign Secretary – Emily Thornberry
- Shadow Home Secretary – Diane Abbott
- Shadow Education Secretary – Angela Rayner
- Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary – Debbie Abrahams
- Shadow Health Secretary – Jonathan Ashworth
- Shadow Defence Secretary – Nia Griffith
- Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury – Rebecca Long-Bailey
- Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union – Keir Starmer
- Shadow Business Secretary – Clive Lewis
- Shadow International Trade Secretary – Barry Gardiner
- Shadow Transport Secretary – Andy McDonald
- Shadow Communities Secretary – Teresa Pearce
- Shadow Environment Secretary – Rachael Maskell
- Shadow Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor – Richard Burgon
- Shadow Lord President of the Council – Jon Trickett
- Shadow Attorney General – Shami Chakrabarti
- Shadow Scotland Secretary and Northern Ireland Secretary – Dave Anderson
- Shadow Wales Secretary – Jo Stevens
- Shadow Housing Secretary – John Healey
- Shadow Women and Equalities Minister – Sarah Champion
- Shadow Black and Minority Ethnic Communities Minister – Dawn Butler
- Shadow Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs Minister – Cat Smith
- Shadow Cabinet Office Minister – Ian Lavery
- Shadow Mental Health and Social Care Minister – Barbara Keeley
- Shadow Minister without Portfolio – Andrew Gwynne
- Shadow Leader of the House of Commons – Valerie Vaz
Summary of changes
[edit]Owen Smith, who lost to Corbyn in the preceding leadership election, declined to continue in Shadow Cabinet, if offered. Angela Smith and Steve Bassam formally returned to Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Leader of the House of Lords and Shadow Chief Whip of the House of Lords after boycotting following the June reshuffle.
- Tom Watson, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, was moved from Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office and replaced by Ian Lavery.
- Andy Burnham resigned as Shadow Home Secretary to focus on his 2017 bid for Mayor of Greater Manchester and was replaced by Diane Abbott. This made the first Labour frontbench where two of the Great Offices of State were held by women.
- Clive Lewis was moved from Shadow Secretary of State for Defence and was replaced by Nia Griffith.
- Lewis was given the newly merged Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to reflect the departmental changes at Whitehall. Jon Trickett, who had been Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, remained Shadow Lord President of the Council and Director of Campaigns and Elections. Barry Gardiner, who had been Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, remained Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade.
- Emily Thornberry remained Shadow Foreign Secretary, but was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union by Keir Starmer.
- Abbott was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Health by Jon Ashworth.
- Grahame Morris went on leave and was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Shadow Minister for the Constitutional Convention by Teresa Pearce.
- Kelvin Hopkins was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by Watson.
- John Healey, who had resigned as Shadow Secretary of State for Housing in the previous June reshuffle, returned and was promoted to Shadow Secretary of State for Housing.
- Paul Flynn retired from Shadow Cabinet and was replaced as Shadow Leader of the House of Commons by Valerie Vaz, and as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales by Jo Stevens.
- Shami Chakrabarti was ennobled and appointed as Shadow Attorney General, which had been vacant since Karl Turner's resignation in June.
- Rosie Winterton was replaced as Shadow Chief Whip of the House of Commons by Nick Brown.
- Barbara Keeley was appointed Shadow Minister for Mental Health, which had been vacant since Luciana Berger's resignation in June.
- Dawn Butler was appointed to a new post as Shadow Minister for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities.
- Ashworth was replaced as Shadow Minister without Portfolio by Andrew Gwynne.
February 2017 reshuffle
[edit]Resignations
[edit]On Thursday 19 January, Jeremy Corbyn was reported to be preparing to order Labour MPs to vote to support triggering Article 50 in the vote on the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill 2017, in line with a three-line whip.[22] This triggered the following resignations from the frontbench (in chronological order):
On Thursday 26 January:
- Tulip Siddiq – Shadow Minister for Early Years (not in Shadow Cabinet)[23]
On Friday 27 January:
- Jo Stevens – Shadow Welsh Secretary[24]
On Wednesday 1 February:
- Dawn Butler – Shadow Minister for Diverse Communities[25]
- Rachael Maskell – Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs[25]
On Wednesday 8 February:
- Clive Lewis – Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy[26]
Replacements
[edit]- Clive Lewis was replaced by Rebecca Long-Bailey as Shadow Business Secretary
- Rebecca Long-Bailey was replaced by Peter Dowd as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
- Rachael Maskell was replaced by Sue Hayman as Shadow Environment Secretary
- Jo Stevens was replaced by Christina Rees as Shadow Welsh Secretary
June 2017 reshuffles
[edit]Following the 2017 general election, Corbyn began a reshuffle of his shadow cabinet:[27]
On 14 June 2017:
- Emily Thornberry was appointed Shadow First Secretary of State;
- Owen Smith was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland;
- Andrew Gwynne was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government;
- Dawn Butler was appointed Shadow Minister for Diverse Communities;
- Lesley Laird was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland.
Later that month, Corbyn sacked three shadow ministers (Ruth Cadbury, Catherine West and Andy Slaughter) and a fourth (Daniel Zeichner) resigned.[28] This was after they had rebelled against party orders to abstain in the vote on a motion that was proposed by the then Labour MP Chuka Umunna and was aimed at keeping the UK in the EU single market.[28]
August 2017
[edit]Dawn Butler was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, replacing Sarah Champion.
October 2017
[edit]Richard Corbett was elected Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party, replacing Glenis Willmott and attending Shadow Cabinet meetings.
January 2018
[edit]Tommy McAvoy was elected Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Lords, replacing Steve Bassam.
March 2018
[edit]Debbie Abrahams, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, was sacked. She was replaced by Margaret Greenwood. Owen Smith, Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, was sacked. He was replaced by Tony Lloyd.
December 2018
[edit]Kate Osamor, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, resigned. She was replaced by Dan Carden.
January 2020
[edit]2020 post-election cabinet reshuffle
[edit]In the 2019 general election, a number of Shadow Ministers lost their seats; mostly to Boris Johnson's Conservatives. The following replacement appointments were made.
- Sue Hayman was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by Luke Pollard.
- Laura Pidcock was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights by Rachael Maskell.
- Lesley Laird was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland by Tony Lloyd.
- Liz McInnes was replaced as Shadow Foreign Office Minister for South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Commonwealth by Afzal Khan.
- Jenny Chapman was replaced as Shadow Brexit Minister by Thangam Debbonaire.
- Jo Platt was replaced as Shadow Minister of State for the Cabinet Office by Cat Smith.
As Tom Watson stood down at the election, he was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport by Tracy Brabin.
Newcomer MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy was immediately appointed Shadow Minister for Immigration.
Positions without successors
[edit]- Karen Lee was not replaced as Shadow Fire and Rescue Services Minister.
- David Drew was not replaced as Shadow Farming and Rural Communities Minister
- Sandy Martin was not replaced as Shadow Minister for Waste and Recycling.
- Danielle Rowley was not replaced as Shadow Minister for Climate Justice and Green Jobs.
- Paula Sherriff was not replaced as Shadow Minister for Social Care and Mental Health.
- Paul Sweeney was not replaced as Shadow Scotland Minister.
See also
[edit]- Shadow Cabinet of Keir Starmer
- His Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition
- Official Opposition frontbench
- Cabinet of the United Kingdom
- British Government frontbench
- Liberal Democrat frontbench team
- Frontbench Team of Ian Blackford
References
[edit]- ^ Syal, Rajeev; Perraudin, Frances; Slawson, Nicola (27 June 2016). "Shadow cabinet resignations: who has gone and who is staying". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
- ^ Griffiths, Niall (16 December 2019). "Ex-Leigh MP says Labour has 'lost seat that resembles heart and soul'". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "People of Labour (Shadow Cabinet)". The Labour Party. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Riley-Smith, Ben (14 September 2015). "Chaos behind Jeremy Corbyn's reshuffle revealed". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
- ^ Murphy, Joe (15 September 2015). "Jeremy Corbyn: I won't wear White Poppy at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ "Andy Burnham and John McDonnell get top jobs in Corbyn's Shadow Cabinet". The Daily Telegraph. 14 September 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
- ^ Williams, Rob (13 September 2015). "Ivan Lewis out of Shadow Cabinet after Jeremy Corbyn rejects his offer to stay in Northern Ireland job". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
- ^ Dathan, Matt (14 September 2015). "Jeremy Corbyn comes out fighting amid sexism row and insists shadow Cabinet positions he has given to women are the real 'top jobs'". The Independent. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
- ^ Wells, Nick (14 September 2015). "Labour's new shadow cabinet all voted in favour of same-sex marriage". PinkNews. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
- ^ a b c "Labour reshuffle: Thornberry replaces Eagle for defence, McFadden sacked and Benn stays".
- ^ Frances Perraudin and Rowena Mason (6 January 2016). "Three shadow ministers resign over Corbyn's 'dishonest' reshuffle". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
- ^ Perraudin, Frances (7 January 2016). "Six junior shadow ministers appointed as Corbyn completes reshuffle". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
- ^ Perraudin, Frances (11 January 2016). "Labour's Catherine McKinnell quits shadow cabinet". BBC News. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
- ^ a b Asthana, Anushka; Boffey, Daniel; Phipps, Claire (26 June 2016). "Labour in crisis: shadow ministers resign in protests against Corbyn". The Observer. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Staff writer (28 June 2016). "Who's staying and who's going in the shadow cabinet?". BBC News. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Syal, Rajeev; Perraudin, Frances; Slawson, Nicola (26 June 2016). "Shadow cabinet resignations: who has gone and who is staying". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
- ^ "Who's staying and who's going in the shadow cabinet?". BBC News. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ Edwards, Peter (11 October 2016). "Peers return to shadow Cabinet four months after summer rebellion". LabourList. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ "Jeremy Corbyn unveils new top team after resignations". BBC News. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
- ^ Silk, Huw (3 July 2016). "Newport MP Paul Flynn, 81, appointed shadow Welsh secretary by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn". WalesOnline. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Labour's new shadow cabinet in full". BBC News. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
- ^ Heather Stewart; Rowena Mason (19 January 2017). "Corbyn to order Labour MPs to vote for article 50 trigger". The Guardian.
- ^ Jessica Elgot (26 January 2017). "Labour MP Tulip Siddiq resigns from frontbench over article 50 vote". The Guardian.
- ^ Tamara Cohen (27 January 2017). "Jo Stevens quits shadow cabinet over Corbyn's Brexit stance". Sky News.
- ^ a b Rowena Mason; Heather Stewart (1 February 2017). "Brexit bill: two more shadow cabinet members resign". The Guardian.
- ^ "Brexit vote: Clive Lewis quits shadow cabinet as MPs back bill". BBC News. 8 February 2017.
- ^ "Corbyn reshuffle: Owen Smith joins shadow cabinet". The Guardian. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ a b "Government's Queen's Speech clears Commons". BBC. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
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