The shadow cabinet or shadow ministry is a feature of the Westminster system of government. It consists of a senior group of opposition spokespeople who, under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition, form an alternative cabinet to that of the government, and whose members shadow or mirror the positions of each individual member of the Cabinet. [1] Their areas of responsibility, in parallel with the ruling party's ministries, may be referred to as a shadow portfolio. [2] Members of a shadow cabinet have no executive power. It is the shadow cabinet's responsibility to scrutinise the policies and actions of the government, as well as to offer alternative policies. The shadow cabinet makes up the majority of the Official Opposition frontbench, as part of frontbenchers to the parliament. [3] The Labour Party, meanwhile, has seen a massive reversal of fortunes since the electoral catastrophe in December 2019 and, two weeks ago, pulled off a relatively drama-free party conference in Liverpool which happened to coincide with the chaotic aftermath of Kwasi Kwarteng’s “mini-Budget”. Though now a well-established part of the unwritten constitution, the Shadow Cabinet has not attracted much scholarly scrutiny. The term appeared in the press for the first time in 1910, and only became normalised in the 1920s. It remained uncommon until the 1960s, and attained its contemporary prominence only in the 1990s.

A related term is the shadow budget, which is often prepared by shadow cabinets (and, when released, usually presented by the shadow finance minister or equivalent) as an alternative to the real budget presented by the government. When prepared and released in an election year, an opposition party's shadow budget will typically form a key part of the party's manifesto, and will be largely if not wholly implemented if the opposition party subsequently forms a government (especially if it wins an outright majority). [ citation needed] Third parties [ edit ] Confirming speculation that there would be changes in the junior ranks of the shadow cabinet, the reshuffle began when the shadow environment secretary, Jim McMahon, long tipped for demotion, announced he would be stepping down. One party insider suggested he had “seen the writing on the wall” concerning his future in Starmer’s top team. Shadow Cabinets offer parties both a means of opposing the government, and a ready-made replacement, while offering voters a rival team to choose from. Shadow Cabinets evolved from cliques and cabals, with greater formalisation occuring as early as 1836, when Peel summoned members of his former Cabinet to oppose Melbourne’s ministry. Asquith cared more for the convention than did his successor, and indeed in 1926 Lloyd George dropped it altogether. When Labour became the official opposition in 1922 the body became more politic. Churchill’s Shadow Cabinet in 1945 was a fortnightly lunch, until the scale of the Government’s programme forced discipline on it.Phillipson said in her conference speech that the existing levy did not allow firms to improve skills and the reforms would “give people opportunities to retrain, to upskill and to learn throughout life”. Peter Kyle, who was shadow Northern Ireland secretary, takes over the previously vacant role shadowing the science, innovation and technology department, which was created only in February. Kyle is replaced in the Northern Ireland brief by Hilary Benn, the veteran former minister.

The UK’s energy supply would be rapidly transformed under a Labour government, making it 100% generated by renewable sources over the next seven years. The policy, announced in the build up to the conference, is a more ambitious upgrade of Jeremy Corbyn’s pledge in 2017 to have 60% of electricity generated by renewables.

Data Visualisations

Particularly after Labour had a very patchy set of results with some really tough contests, losing ground to the Tories in many areas that they like to think of as their own.

Phew, that's a lot of changes. Don't worry if you're struggling to keep up, here's our list of where things stand so far in Sir Keir Starmer's reshuffle: TS-LKD patvirtino šešėlinės Vyriausybės kabinetą". Archived from the original on 6 April 2013 . Retrieved 3 April 2013. The Shadow Cabinet largely mirrors the positions and responsibilities of the government’s actual Cabinet, holding it accountable, and presenting themselves as a viable alternative. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she could introduce legislation for an independence referendum by next springThat said, I can see the reason for that change, and look forward to the next book to see what becomes of certain protagonists! 👀

Ashworth tweeted: “It’s been an immense privilege to serve the nation as shadow health secretary these last two years of the pandemic. But in September I passed Robin Cook’s 87-92 record and became the longest serving Labour shadow health secretary in history. It’s right moment for new challenge!" Juno grew up in West Yorkshire, writing imaginary episodes of Doctor Who. She later turned her talent to journalism, interviewing luminaries such as Steps and Atomic Kitten before writing a weekly serial in a Brighton newspaper. In 2015, Juno announced her intention to undergo gender transition and live as a woman. The move was welcomed by Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA, who said it made “perfect economic sense”, while industry body Rail Partners said the announcement was “not unexpected but still disappointing”. Improved conditions for workers Five members of the current Shadow Cabinet have any previous Ministerial Experience: Ed Miliband, John Healey, Yvette Cooper, Pat McFadden, and David Lammy. Houghton and Sunderland South MP Bridget Phillipson is another member of Labour’s top team to hail from Tyne and Wear. Appointed shadow education secretary in November last year following an 18-month stint as shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, she is seen as a rising star in the party.

Become a Member

David Lammy - Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Affairs (moved to role) Juno is a regular contributor to Attitude Magazine, Glamour Magazine and The Guardian and has contributed to news items on BBC Women’s Hour, Front Row, ITV News, Channel 5 News, This Morning and Newsnight concerning sexuality, identity, literature and education. Labour MP and former Coronation Street actress Tracy Brabin has been elected West Yorkshire's mayor, triggering a by-election for her Westminster seat A fierce critic of the Labour far left, Streeting was one of the most outspoken critics of Corbyn’s leadership. Before being elected to represent Ilford North in 2015, he was head of education at Stonewall and is a former president of the National Union of Students.