The Shadow Cabinet: A complete guide
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Membership of the Shadow Cabinet:
19 elected members, plus Tony Blair, leader (above left), John Prescott, deputy leader (above right), Doug Hoyle, chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party, Lord Richard, leader in the Lords, Lord McIntosh, deputy Lords leader, Lord Graham, Lords chief whip, and Lord Dean, Lords representative.
Margaret Beckett
Trade and industry
"Party hack and proud of it", a minister who became a fierce Bennite but was rehabilitated by John Smith, who preferred her as his deputy when he became party leader.
New Labour rating 0
Robin Cook
Foreign affairs
Brilliant debater with cutting sarcasm, but long at or near the top of annual poll. Took over foreign brief last year, despite hankering after shadow chancellorship.
New Labour rating 6/10
Gordon Brown
Economic affairs
Has the most influence with Tony Blair and now bestrides economic policy- making machinery like a colossus. Skills as political strategist increasingly appreciated in the party.
New Labour rating 10/10
Ron Davies
Wales
Shockingly good performance in Shadow Cabinet poll for one written off as irredeemable traditionalist. Impressed with move to squash rises in allowances for Welsh councillors.
New Labour rating 3/10
Donald Dewar
Chief Whip
Ultra-sharp mind, trained with John Smith at Glasgow law school, needed to manage passage of constitutional reform in government, including a Scottish parliament.
New Labour rating 6/10
Mo Mowlam
Northern Ireland
Blair supporter who managed his leadership campaign, and who cemented shift in Labour's stance on Northern Ireland away from the logically challenged "unity by consent".
New Labour rating 10/10
Chris Smith
Social security
"Soft left" moderniser who played an important role in providing substance for Blair's Wilsonian techno-babble. Now has to give substance to key theme of "responsibility" in welfare.
New Labour rating 10/10
Frank Dobson
Environment
Workhorse of TV studios and Westminster tearooms. No moderniser, although a robust pragmatist, he waged a well-timed summer campaign against leaky water companies.
New Labour rating 0
David Clark
Defence
Wholly unobtrusive politician who has put defence issue to sleep for Labour - to such an extent that, when conference voted to keep Trident younger members thought it uninteresting.
New Labour rating 0
Ann Taylor
Shadow Leader of House
Traditionalist of the old right who produced an education policy last year which failed to upset the National Union of Teachers and thus annoyed the new leader.
New Labour rating 0
David Blunkett
Education and employment
Christian socialist closest to Blair's "social moralism", who has succeeded in offending NUT activists; has fudged opt-out schools and excoriated Hattersley in Brighton.
New Labour rating 6/10
Gavin Strang
Agriculture
He was a surprise new face in last year's Shadow Cabinet, but is still widely unknown outside Westminster despite various photo-calls in defence of the doorstep pinta.
New Labour rating 0
Jack Straw
Home affairs
Student leftie who rose through Barbara Castle's office to become a centre- right moderniser. Expected to be an effective minister, with an imaginative grasp of the detail, although lacks presentational brio.
New Labour rating 10/10
Joan Lestor
Overseas development
Old-time Tribunite sustained in shadow cabinet by ancient loyalties and what some Blair supporters call "assisted-places scheme", adopting right- wingers' abuse aimed at compulsory votes for four women. Another ex-minister.
New Labour rating 0
Michael Meacher
Deputy to Mr Blunkett, responsible for employment.
Once Tony Benn's "emissary on earth", the last time he held employment brief he was scorned by Kinnock as "weak as water" and replaced with a rising favourite called Tony Blair. New Labour rating 0
Clare Short
Transport
Stands out from the careful men in suits as a politician of blazing sincerity, but also shows astute judgement. Once suspicious of Blair, but has recently impressed him, particularlywith Brighton speech.
New Labour rating 3/10
George Robertson
Scotland
European spokesman who managed a divided Labour Party through Maastricht debates with such skill that government was seriously disrupted. Rationalised the party's commitment to a Scottish parliament.
New Labour rating 6/10
Harriet Harman
Health
Ultra-moderniser; a friend of Blair's wife before he was an MP. Victim of Labour MPs' suspicion of the "beautiful people" when voted off shadow cabinet in 1993. Will never be loved by grey "Old" Labour.
New Labour rating 6/10
Tom Clarke
Disabled people's rights
Former spokesman on Scottish affairs, not considered a success. Embarrassed Labour in the Monklands by-election. Devotes his life to canvassing for shadow cabinet elections among colleagues.
New Labour rating 0
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments