Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team
Encyclopedia
The Liberal Democrats are the third-largest political party
in the United Kingdom. While in opposition, the Liberal Democrat leader appointed a team of Members of Parliament
(MPs) and Peer
s to speak for the party on different issues. Their areas of responsibility broadly corresponded to those of Government ministers. The party called its frontbench the Liberal Democrat shadow ministerial team. The shadow ministerial team was divided into departmental sub-units, such as Education, Health and Foreign Affairs. The leader of each departmental team was a member of the Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet
.
'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'.
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'. Gordon Brown
made a notable remark that in the House of Commons in 2001:
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").
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.
as Prime Minister
on 11 May 2010, a coalition cabinet
was formed that included Liberal Democrat ministers.
Previous team key-members in summary:
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the United Kingdom. While in opposition, the Liberal Democrat leader appointed a team of Members of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MPs) and Peer
Peerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
s to speak for the party on different issues. Their areas of responsibility broadly corresponded to those of Government ministers. The party called its frontbench the Liberal Democrat shadow ministerial team. The shadow ministerial team was divided into departmental sub-units, such as Education, Health and Foreign Affairs. The leader of each departmental team was a member of the Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet
Shadow Cabinet
The Shadow Cabinet is a senior group of opposition spokespeople in the Westminster system of government who together under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition form an alternative cabinet to the government's, whose members shadow or mark each individual member of the government...
.
Status
Formerly, the Liberal Democrats frontbench team did not use the term 'Shadow Cabinet', with a number of front bench spokesmen covering areas (e.g., Defence and Foreign Affairs) rather than directly shadowing specific Cabinet portfolios. Under Charles KennedyCharles Kennedy
Charles Peter Kennedy is a British Liberal Democrat politician, who led the Liberal Democrats from 9 August 1999 until 7 January 2006 and is currently a Member of Parliament for the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency....
'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'.
This is not without contention, and was disputed by the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
, who were then the Official Opposition. However, the official listing at the Parliament website is very explicit to use the term 'Shadow Cabinet'. Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
made a notable remark that in the House of Commons in 2001:
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
George Osborne
George Gideon Oliver Osborne, MP is a British Conservative politician. He is the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, a role to which he was appointed in May 2010, and has been the Member of Parliament for Tatton since 2001.Osborne is part of the old Anglo-Irish aristocracy, known in...
with his apparently warm relationship with Vince Cable (whom he has referred to as "the Shadow Chancellor from Twickenham").
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
Short Money
Short Money is the common name given to the annual payment to Opposition parties in the United Kingdom House of Commons to help them with their costs. It is named after Edward Short , the-then Leader of the House of Commons who first proposed the payments...
. 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.
Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team
Following the United Kingdom general election, 2010 and the confirmation of Conservative David CameronDavid Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
as Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
on 11 May 2010, a coalition cabinet
Cameron Ministry
David Cameron is Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, after being invited by Queen Elizabeth II to form a new government after the resignation as Prime Minister of Gordon Brown on 11 May 2010. Leading a coalition government formed by the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats, the coalition...
was formed that included Liberal Democrat ministers.
Liberal Democrat Government Ministers
| Name | Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Nick Clegg Nick Clegg Nicholas William Peter "Nick" Clegg is a British Liberal Democrat politician who is currently the Deputy Prime Minister, Lord President of the Council and Minister for Constitutional and Political Reform in the coalition government of which David Cameron is the Prime Minister... |
Deputy Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister A deputy prime minister or vice prime minister is, in some counties, a government minister who can take the position of acting prime minister when the prime minister is temporarily absent. The position is often likened to that of a vice president, but is significantly different, though both... Lord President of the Council Lord President of the Council The Lord President of the Council is the fourth of the Great Officers of State of the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord High Treasurer and above the Lord Privy Seal. The Lord President usually attends each meeting of the Privy Council, presenting business for the monarch's approval... Leader of the Liberal Democrats Minister for Political & Constitutional Reform |
| Vincent Cable Vincent Cable Dr. John Vincent "Vince" Cable is a British Liberal Democrat politician and economist who is currently the Business Secretary in the coalition cabinet of David Cameron. He has been Member of Parliament for Twickenham since 1997.... |
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills President of the Board of Trade |
| Chris Huhne Chris Huhne Christopher Murray Paul-Huhne, generally known as Chris Huhne is a British politician and cabinet minister, who is the current Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for the Eastleigh constituency in Hampshire... |
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change is a British government cabinet position currently held by Chris Huhne. The government department was created on 3 October 2008 when former Prime Minister Gordon Brown reshuffled his cabinet.... |
| Danny Alexander Danny Alexander Daniel Grian Alexander is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has been Chief Secretary to the Treasury since 2010. He has been the Member of Parliament for the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey constituency since 2005.... |
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Chief Secretary to the Treasury The Chief Secretary to the Treasury is the third most senior ministerial position in HM Treasury, after the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer . In recent years, the office holder has usually been given a junior position in the British Cabinet... |
| Michael Moore | Secretary of State for Scotland Secretary of State for Scotland The Secretary of State for Scotland is the principal minister of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom with responsibilities for Scotland. He heads the Scotland Office , a government department based in London and Edinburgh. The post was created soon after the Union of the Crowns, but was... |
| Lord McNally | Minister of State for Human Rights and Civil Liberties Deputy Leader of the House of Lords |
| Nick Harvey Nick Harvey Nicholas Barton "Nick" Harvey is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He is the Member of Parliament for North Devon and the Minister of State for the Armed Forces.-Early life and education:... |
Minister of State for the Armed Forces Minister of State for the Armed Forces The Minister of State for the Armed Forces is a middle-ranking ministerial position, subordinate only to the Secretary of State for Defence, at the Ministry of Defence in Her Majesty's Government.... |
| Steve Webb Steve Webb Steven John Webb, better known as Steve Webb , is an English Liberal Democrat politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Thornbury & Yate and the Minister of State for Pensions.-Background:... |
Minister of State for Pensions Department for Work and Pensions The Department for Work and Pensions is the largest government department in the United Kingdom, created on June 8, 2001 from the merger of the employment part of the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security and headed by the Secretary of State for Work and... |
| Sarah Teather Sarah Teather Sarah Louise Teather is a British Liberal Democrat politician, Member of Parliament for Brent Central, Minister of State at the Department for Education, and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Guantanamo Bay.... |
Minister of State for Children and Families Department for Education The Department for Education is a department of the UK government responsible for issues affecting people in England up to the age of 19, including child protection and education.... |
| Jeremy Browne Jeremy Browne Jeremy Richard Browne is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He has been the Member of Parliament for Taunton Deane since 2005 and a Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office since 2010.-Early life and education:... |
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Foreign and Commonwealth Office The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, commonly called the Foreign Office or the FCO is a British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom overseas, created in 1968 by merging the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office.The head of the FCO is the... |
| Paul Burstow Paul Burstow Paul Kenneth Burstow , British politician, is the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Sutton and Cheam. In May 2010 he was appointed Minister of State for the Department of Health.-Early life:... |
Minister of State for Care Services |
| Alistair Carmichael Alistair Carmichael Alexander Morrison "Alistair" Carmichael is a Liberal Democrat politician. He has been the Member of Parliament for the Scottish seat of Orkney and Shetland since the 2001 general election.-Early life:... |
Deputy Chief Whip Chief Whip The Chief Whip is a political office in some legislatures assigned to an elected member whose task is to administer the whipping system that ensures that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires.-The Whips Office:... of the House of Commons Liberal Democrat Chief Whip in the Commons |
| David Heath | Deputy Leader of the House of Commons Leader of the House of Commons The Leader of the House of Commons is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom who is responsible for arranging government business in the House of Commons... |
| Norman Lamb Norman Lamb Norman Peter Lamb is a British Liberal Democrat politician, and Chief Parliamentary and Political Adviser and Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg.He is the Member of Parliament for North Norfolk.... |
Assistant Government Whip in the House of Commons Chief Parliamentary and Political Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister |
| Mark Hunter Mark Hunter (politician) Mark James Hunter is a British Liberal Democrat politician who is the current Member of Parliament for Cheadle.-Education and background:... |
Assistant Government Whip in the House of Commons |
| Lord Shutt David Shutt, Baron Shutt of Greetland David Trevor Shutt, Baron Shutt of Greetland, OBE, PC is a British Liberal Democrat politician, currently serving as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard and Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Lords.-Career:... |
Deputy Chief Whip Chief Whip The Chief Whip is a political office in some legislatures assigned to an elected member whose task is to administer the whipping system that ensures that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires.-The Whips Office:... in the House of Lords House of Lords The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster.... |
| Baroness Northover | Whip in the House of Lords House of Lords The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster.... |
| Lord Wallace | Whip in the House of Lords House of Lords The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster.... |
| Edward Davey Edward Davey Edward Jonathan "Ed" Davey is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He has been the Member of Parliament for Kingston and Surbiton since 1997, and in May 2010 was appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills... |
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs Department for Business, Innovation and Skills The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is a ministerial department of the United Kingdom Government created on 5 June 2009 by the merger of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform .-Ministers:The BIS... |
| Andrew Stunell Andrew Stunell Robert Andrew Stunell, known as Andrew Stunell, OBE is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom. He is the Member of Parliament for Hazel Grove, and was first elected at the 1997 general election... |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Community Cohesion |
| Norman Baker Norman Baker Norman John Baker is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Lewes in East Sussex since 1997. Since May 2010 he has been Parliamentary Under Secretary for the Department for Transport.... |
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Regional and Local Transport Department for Transport In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved... |
| Lynne Featherstone Lynne Featherstone Lynne Choona Featherstone , is a British Liberal Democrat politician, and the Member of Parliament for Hornsey and Wood Green.... |
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equalities Home Office The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,... |
| Lord Wallace Jim Wallace The Rt. Hon. James Robert Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness, PC, QC , is a British politician, currently a life peer in the House of Lords and the Advocate General for Scotland... |
Advocate General for Scotland Advocate General for Scotland Her Majesty's Advocate General for Scotland is one of the Law Officers of the Crown, whose duty it is to advise the Crown and UK Government on Scots law... |
Previous Frontbench Teams
- Liberal Party Frontbench Team, 1945–1956Liberal Party Frontbench Team, 1945–1956Members of the British Liberal Party's Frontbench Team from 1945 to 1956 :*Clement Davies: Liberal Party Leader*Tom Horabin: Chief WhipChanges...
- Liberal Party Frontbench Team, 1956–1967Liberal Party Frontbench Team, 1956–1967Members of the British Liberal Party's Frontbench Team from 1956 to 1967 :-Party Spokesmen under Jo Grimond's First Three Parliaments November 1956–March 1966:*Jo Grimond: Party Leader*Donald Wade: Chief Whip...
- Liberal Party Frontbench Team, 1967–1976Liberal Party Frontbench Team, 1967–1976Members of the British Liberal Party's Frontbench Team from 1967 to 1976 :-Party Spokesmen under Jeremy Thorpe's First Parliament January 1967–June 1970:*Jeremy Thorpe: Party Leader*Eric Lubbock: Chief Whip...
- Liberal Party Frontbench Team, 1976-1988Liberal Party Frontbench Team, 1976-1988Members of the British Liberal Party's Frontbench Team from 1976 to 1988 :-Party Spokesmen under David Steel's First Parliament July 1976–May 1979:*David Steel: Party Leader...
- Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team, 2001–2005Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team, 2001–2005The Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team led by Charles Kennedy from 2001 to 2005 consisted of the following:*Leader of the Liberal Democrats - Charles Kennedy*Shadow Leader of the House of Lords - The Lord McNally...
- Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team, 2005–2006Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team, 2005–2006This article is about the Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team led by Charles Kennedy from 2005 to 2006.-Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet:*Leader of the Liberal Democrats - Charles Kennedy*Shadow Leader of the House of Lords - Lord McNally...
- Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team, 2006–2007Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team, 2006–2007This article is about the Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team led by Menzies Campbell from 2 March 2006 to 15 October 2007.- Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet:*Leader of the Liberal Democrats - Sir Walter Menzies Campbell, CBE, QC...
- Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team, 2007–2010Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team, 2007–2010This article is about the Liberal Democrat Frontbench Team led by Nick Clegg from December 2007 to May 2010, when he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition government led by David Cameron....
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 | ||
| 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 |