Corbyn shadow cabinet

UK shadow cabinet from 2015 to 2020 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Date formed12 September 2015
Date dissolved4 April 2020
Quick facts Date formed, Date dissolved ...
Corbyn Shadow Cabinet

Shadow Cabinet of the United Kingdom
20152020
Corbyn and members of his shadow cabinet at a session of Prime Minister's Questions in 2020
Date formed12 September 2015
Date dissolved4 April 2020
People and organisations
MonarchElizabeth II
Leader of the OppositionJeremy Corbyn
Shadow First SecretaryAngela Eagle (2015–16)
Emily Thornberry (2017–20)
Member party
  •   Labour Party
Status in legislatureOfficial Opposition
History
Elections2015
2016
Outgoing election2020
Legislature terms2015 UK Parliament
2017 UK Parliament
2019 UK Parliament
PredecessorSecond Harman shadow cabinet
SuccessorStarmer shadow cabinet
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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

September 2015 – January 2016[2]

Sits in the House of Commons
Sits in the House of Lords
More information Portfolio, Shadow Minister ...
Portfolio Shadow Minister Constituency Term
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Labour Party
Jeremy Corbyn Islington North Sep 2015 – Apr 2020
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson West Bromwich East Sep 2015 – Dec 2019
Chair of the Labour Party Sep 2015 – June 2017
Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Sep 2015 – Oct 2016
Shadow First Secretary of State
Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills
Angela Eagle Wallasey Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer John McDonnell Hayes and Harlington Sep 2015 – Apr 2020
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Seema Malhotra Feltham and Heston Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn Leeds Central May 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham Leigh Sep 2015 – Oct 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Health Heidi Alexander Lewisham East Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Education Lucy Powell Manchester Central Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Owen Smith Pontypridd Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence Maria Eagle Garston and Halewood Sep 2015 – Jan 2016
Shadow Lord Chancellor
Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
Charlie Falconer Life peer May 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Shadow Minister for the Constitutional Convention
Jon Trickett Hemsworth Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Lisa Nandy Wigan Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Lilian Greenwood Nottingham South Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Diane Abbott Hackney North and Stoke Newington Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Vernon Coaker Gedling Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray Edinburgh South May 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Nia Griffith Llanelli Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Kerry McCarthy Bristol East Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities Kate Green Stretford and Urmston Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Michael Dugher Barnsley East Sep 2015 – Jan 2016
Shadow Minister for Young People and Voter Registration Gloria De Piero Ashfield Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Minister for Mental Health Luciana Berger Liverpool Wavertree Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning John Healey Wentworth and Dearne Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Minister without Portfolio Jonathan Ashworth Leicester South Sep 2015 – Oct 2016
Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales Catherine McKinnell Newcastle North Sep 2015 – Jan 2016
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Chris Bryant Rhondda Sep 2015 – June 2016
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Commons Rosie Winterton Doncaster Central Oct 2010 – Oct 2016
Shadow Leader of the House of Lords Angela Smith Life peer May 2015 – July 2024
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Lords Steve Bassam Life peer May 2010 – Jan 2018
Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party Glenis Willmott MEP for East Midlands Jan 2009 – Oct 2017
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January – June 2016

Sits in the House of Commons
Sits in the House of Lords
More information Portfolio, Shadow Minister ...
Portfolio Shadow Minister Constituency Term
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Labour Party
Jeremy Corbyn Islington North Sep 2015 – Apr 2020
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson West Bromwich East Sep 2015 – Dec 2019
Chair of the Labour Party Sep 2015 – June 2017
Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Sep 2015 – Oct 2016
Shadow First Secretary of State
Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills
Angela Eagle Wallasey Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer John McDonnell Hayes and Harlington Sep 2015 – Apr 2020
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Seema Malhotra Feltham and Heston Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn Leeds Central May 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham Leigh Sep 2015 – Oct 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Health Heidi Alexander Lewisham East Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Education Lucy Powell Manchester Central Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Owen Smith Pontypridd Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence Emily Thornberry Islington South and Finsbury Jan – June 2016
Shadow Lord Chancellor
Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
Charlie Falconer Life peer May 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Shadow Minister for the Constitutional Convention
Jon Trickett Hemsworth Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Lisa Nandy Wigan Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Lilian Greenwood Nottingham South Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Diane Abbott Hackney North and Stoke Newington Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Vernon Coaker Gedling Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray Edinburgh South May 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Nia Griffith Llanelli Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Kerry McCarthy Bristol East Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities Kate Green Stretford and Urmston Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Maria Eagle Garston and Halewood Jan – June 2016
Shadow Minister for Young People and Voter Registration Gloria De Piero Ashfield Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Minister for Mental Health Luciana Berger Liverpool Wavertree Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning John Healey Wentworth and Dearne Sep 2015 – June 2016
Shadow Minister without Portfolio Jonathan Ashworth Leicester South Sep 2015 – Oct 2016
Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales Karl Turner Kingston upon Hull East Jan – June 2016
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Chris Bryant Rhondda Sep 2015 – June 2016
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Commons Rosie Winterton Doncaster Central Oct 2010 – Oct 2016
Shadow Leader of the House of Lords Angela Smith Life peer May 2015 – July 2024
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Lords Steve Bassam Life peer May 2010 – Jan 2018
Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party Glenis Willmott MEP for East Midlands Jan 2009 – Oct 2017
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June – October 2016

Sits in the House of Commons
Sits in the House of Lords
More information Portfolio, Shadow Minister ...
Portfolio Shadow Minister Constituency Term
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Labour Party
Jeremy Corbyn Islington North Sep 2015 – Apr 2020
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson West Bromwich East Sep 2015 – Dec 2019
Chair of the Labour Party Sep 2015 – June 2017
Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Sep 2015 – Oct 2016
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer John McDonnell Hayes and Harlington Sep 2015 – Apr 2020
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rebecca Long-Bailey Salford and Eccles June 2016 – Feb 2017
Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry Islington South and Finsbury June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union July – Oct 2016
Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham Leigh Sep 2015 – Oct 2016
Shadow Lord President of the Council Jon Trickett Hemsworth June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills July 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy July – October 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Health Diane Abbott Hackney North and Stoke Newington June – Oct 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Education Pat Glass North West Durham June 2016
Angela Rayner Ashton-under-Lyne July 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities July – Oct 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Debbie Abrahams Oldham East and Saddleworth June 2016 – March 2018
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence Clive Lewis Norwich South June – Oct 2016
Shadow Lord Chancellor
Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
Richard Burgon Leeds East June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Shadow Minister for the Constitutional Convention
Grahame Morris Easington June – Oct 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Barry Gardiner Brent North June – July 2016
Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade
Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change
July 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Andy McDonald Middlesbrough June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Kate Osamor Edmonton June 2016 – Dec 2018
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Dave Anderson Blaydon June 2016 – June 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland July 2016 – June 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Paul Flynn Newport West July – Oct 2016
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Rachael Maskell York Central June 2016 – Feb 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Kelvin Hopkins Luton North June – October 2016
Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs Cat Smith Lancaster and Fleetwood June 2016 – Nov 2021
Shadow Minister for Mental Health vacant
Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning
Shadow Minister without Portfolio Jonathan Ashworth Leicester South Sep 2015 – Oct 2016
Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales Vacant
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Commons Rosie Winterton Doncaster Central Oct 2010 – Oct 2016
Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party Glenis Willmott MEP for East Midlands Jan 2009 – Oct 2017
Refused to attend meetings
Shadow Leader of the House of Lords Angela Smith Life peer May 2015 – July 2024
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Lords Steve Bassam Life peer May 2010 – Jan 2018
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October 2016 – February 2017

Sits in the House of Commons
Sits in the House of Lords
More information Portfolio, Shadow Minister ...
Portfolio Shadow Minister Constituency Term
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Labour Party
Jeremy Corbyn Islington North Sep 2015 – Apr 2020
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson West Bromwich East Sep 2015 – Dec 2019
Chair of the Labour Party Sep 2015 – June 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Oct 2016 – December 2019
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer John McDonnell Hayes and Harlington Sep 2015 – Apr 2020
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rebecca Long-Bailey Salford and Eccles June 2016 – Feb 2017
Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry Islington South and Finsbury June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Sir Keir Starmer Holborn and St Pancras Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott Hackney North and Stoke Newington Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Lord President of the Council Jon Trickett Hemsworth June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Clive Lewis Norwich South Oct 2016 – Feb 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Health Jonathan Ashworth Leicester South Oct 2016 – Nov 2021
Shadow Secretary of State for Education Angela Rayner Ashton-under-Lyne July 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities Sarah Champion Rotherham Oct 2016 – Aug 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Debbie Abrahams Oldham East and Saddleworth June 2016 – March 2018
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence Nia Griffith Llanelli Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Lord Chancellor
Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
Richard Burgon Leeds East June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Teresa Pearce Erith and Thamesmead Oct 2016 – June 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade
Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change
Barry Gardiner Brent North July 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Andy McDonald Middlesbrough June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Kate Osamor Edmonton June 2016 – Dec 2018
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Dave Anderson Blaydon June 2016 – June 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland July 2016 – June 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens Cardiff Central Oct 2016 – Jan 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Rachael Maskell York Central June 2016 – Feb 2017
Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs Cat Smith Lancaster and Fleetwood June 2016 – Nov 2021
Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Social Care Barbara Keeley Worsley and Eccles South Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Housing John Healey Wentworth and Dearne Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Ian Lavery Wansbeck Oct 2016 – Feb 2017
Shadow Minister without Portfolio Andrew Gwynne Denton and Reddish Oct 2016 – June 2017
Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales Shami Chakrabarti Life peer Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Valerie Vaz Walsall South Oct 2016 – May 2021
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Commons Nick Brown Newcastle upon Tyne East Oct 2016 – May 2021
Shadow Leader of the House of Lords Angela Smith Life peer May 2015 – July 2024
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Lords Steve Bassam Life peer May 2010 – Jan 2018
Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party Glenis Willmott MEP for East Midlands Jan 2009 – Oct 2017
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February – June 2017

Sits in the House of Commons
Sits in the House of Lords
More information Portfolio, Shadow Minister ...
Portfolio Shadow Minister Constituency Term
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Labour Party
Jeremy Corbyn Islington North Sep 2015 – Apr 2020
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson West Bromwich East Sep 2015 – Dec 2019
Chair of the Labour Party Sep 2015 – June 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Oct 2016 – December 2019
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer John McDonnell Hayes and Harlington Sep 2015 – Apr 2020
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Peter Dowd Bootle Feb 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry Islington South and Finsbury June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Sir Keir Starmer Holborn and St Pancras Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott Hackney North and Stoke Newington Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Lord President of the Council Jon Trickett Hemsworth June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Feb 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Rebecca Long-Bailey Salford and Eccles Feb 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Health Jonathan Ashworth Leicester South Oct 2016 – Nov 2021
Shadow Secretary of State for Education Angela Rayner Ashton-under-Lyne July 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities Sarah Champion Rotherham Oct 2016 – Aug 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Debbie Abrahams Oldham East and Saddleworth June 2016 – March 2018
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence Nia Griffith Llanelli Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Lord Chancellor
Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
Richard Burgon Leeds East June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Teresa Pearce Erith and Thamesmead Oct 2016 – June 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade
Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change
Barry Gardiner Brent North July 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Andy McDonald Middlesbrough June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Kate Osamor Edmonton June 2016 – Dec 2018
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Dave Anderson Blaydon June 2016 – June 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland July 2016 – June 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Christina Rees Neath Feb 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Sue Hayman Workington Feb 2017 – Dec 2019
Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs Cat Smith Lancaster and Fleetwood June 2016 – Nov 2021
Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Social Care Barbara Keeley Worsley and Eccles South Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Housing John Healey Wentworth and Dearne Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Ian Lavery Wansbeck Oct 2016 – Feb 2017
Shadow Minister without Portfolio Feb 2017 – April 2020
Andrew Gwynne Denton and Reddish Oct 2016 – June 2017
Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales Shami Chakrabarti Life peer Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Valerie Vaz Walsall South Oct 2016 – May 2021
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Commons Nick Brown Newcastle upon Tyne East Oct 2016 – May 2021
Shadow Leader of the House of Lords Angela Smith Life peer May 2015 – July 2024
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Lords Steve Bassam Life peer May 2010 – Jan 2018
Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party Glenis Willmott MEP for East Midlands Jan 2009 – Oct 2017
Close

June 2017 – December 2019

Sits in the House of Commons
Sits in the House of Lords
More information Portfolio, Shadow Minister ...
Portfolio Shadow Minister Constituency Term
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Labour Party
Jeremy Corbyn Islington North Sep 2015 – Apr 2020
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Tom Watson West Bromwich East Sep 2015 – Dec 2019
Chair of the Labour Party Sep 2015 – June 2017
Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Oct 2016 – Nov 2019
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer John McDonnell Hayes and Harlington Sep 2015 – Apr 2020
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Peter Dowd Bootle Feb 2017 – April 2020
Shadow First Secretary of State Emily Thornberry Islington South and Finsbury June 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Foreign Secretary June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Sir Keir Starmer Holborn and St Pancras Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott Hackney North and Stoke Newington Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Lord President of the Council Jon Trickett Hemsworth June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Feb 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Rebecca Long-Bailey Salford and Eccles Feb 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Health Jonathan Ashworth Leicester South Oct 2016 – Nov 2021
Shadow Secretary of State for Education Angela Rayner Ashton-under-Lyne July 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities Sarah Champion Rotherham Oct 2016 – Aug 2017
Dawn Butler Brent Central Aug 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Debbie Abrahams Oldham East and Saddleworth June 2016 – March 2018
Margaret Greenwood Wirral West March 2018 – April 2020
Shadow Minister for Labour Laura Pidcock North West Durham Jan 2018 – Sep 2019
Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights Sep – Dec 2019
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence Nia Griffith Llanelli Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Lord Chancellor
Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
Richard Burgon Leeds East June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Andrew Gwynne Denton and Reddish June 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade
Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change
Barry Gardiner Brent North July 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Andy McDonald Middlesbrough June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Kate Osamor Edmonton June 2016 – Dec 2018
Dan Carden Liverpool Walton Dec 2018 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Owen Smith Pontypridd June 2017 – March 2018
Tony Lloyd Rochdale March 2018 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Lesley Laird Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath June 2017 – Dec 2019
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Christina Rees Neath Feb 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Sue Hayman Workington Feb 2017 – Dec 2019
Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs Cat Smith Lancaster and Fleetwood June 2016 – Nov 2021
Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Social Care Barbara Keeley Worsley and Eccles South Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Housing John Healey Wentworth and Dearne Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Minister without Portfolio Ian Lavery Wansbeck Feb 2017 – April 2020
Chair of the Labour Party June 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales Shami Chakrabarti Life peer Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Valerie Vaz Walsall South Oct 2016 – May 2021
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Commons Nick Brown Newcastle upon Tyne East Oct 2016 – May 2021
Shadow Leader of the House of Lords Angela Smith Life peer May 2015 – July 2024
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Lords Tommy McAvoy Life peer Jan 2018 – May 2021
Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party Glenis Willmott MEP for East Midlands Jan 2009 – Oct 2017
Richard Corbett MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber Oct 2017 – Jan 2020
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January – April 2020

Sits in the House of Commons
Sits in the House of Lords
More information Portfolio, Shadow Minister ...
Portfolio Shadow Minister Constituency Term
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Labour Party
Jeremy Corbyn Islington North Sep 2015 – Apr 2020
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer John McDonnell Hayes and Harlington Sep 2015 – Apr 2020
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Peter Dowd Bootle Feb 2017 – April 2020
Shadow First Secretary of State Emily Thornberry Islington South and Finsbury June 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Foreign Secretary June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Sir Keir Starmer Holborn and St Pancras Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott Hackney North and Stoke Newington Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Lord President of the Council Jon Trickett Hemsworth June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Feb 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Rebecca Long-Bailey Salford and Eccles Feb 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Health Jonathan Ashworth Leicester South Oct 2016 – Nov 2021
Shadow Secretary of State for Education Angela Rayner Ashton-under-Lyne July 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities Dawn Butler Brent Central Aug 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Margaret Greenwood Wirral West March 2018 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Tracy Brabin Batley and Spen Jan – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights Rachael Maskell York Central Jan – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence Nia Griffith Llanelli Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Lord Chancellor
Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
Richard Burgon Leeds East June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Andrew Gwynne Denton and Reddish June 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade
Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change
Barry Gardiner Brent North July 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Andy McDonald Middlesbrough June 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Dan Carden Liverpool Walton Dec 2018 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Tony Lloyd Rochdale March 2018 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Dec 2019 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Christina Rees Neath Feb 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Luke Pollard Plymouth Sutton and Devonport Jan 2020 – Nov 2021
Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs Cat Smith Lancaster and Fleetwood June 2016 – Nov 2021
Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Social Care Barbara Keeley Worsley and Eccles South Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Secretary of State for Housing John Healey Wentworth and Dearne Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Minister without Portfolio Ian Lavery Wansbeck Feb 2017 – April 2020
Chair of the Labour Party June 2017 – April 2020
Shadow Attorney General for England and Wales Shami Chakrabarti Life peer Oct 2016 – April 2020
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Valerie Vaz Walsall South Oct 2016 – May 2021
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Commons Nick Brown Newcastle upon Tyne East Oct 2016 – May 2021
Shadow Leader of the House of Lords Angela Smith Life peer May 2015 – July 2024
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of Lords Tommy McAvoy Life peer Jan 2018 – May 2021
Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party Richard Corbett MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber Oct 2017 – Jan 2020
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Junior ministers by department

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

More information Cabinet Office ...
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)[3]
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
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Foreign Relations

More information Foreign and Commonwealth Office ...
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn (2015–2016)
Emily Thornberry[4] (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)
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More information Defence ...
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
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More information International Development ...
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 Kaur Gill (2018–2020)
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More information International Trade ...
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)
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More information Brexit ...
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)
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Home Affairs

More information Home Office ...
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)
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More information Attorney General's Office ...
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)
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More information Ministry of Justice ...
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)
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Economy

More information Treasury ...
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)
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More information Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy ...
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)
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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)
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Creation

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:

The remaining changes were as follows:

Composition

  • 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.[9]
  • All members of Corbyn's first Shadow Cabinet previously voted in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.[10]

January 2016 reshuffle

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).[11] He also replaced Shadow Europe Minister (not attending Shadow Cabinet) Pat McFadden with Pat Glass.[11] 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.[11][citation needed][12] 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.[13]

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.[14]

June 2016 reshuffle

Resignations

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):

On 27 June:

On 29 June:

All cited concerns over the EU vote and Corbyn's leadership.[15][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.[16][17]

New appointments

Following the resignations, Corbyn appointed several new MPs to shadow cabinet positions:[18]

October 2016 reshuffle

Following his victory in the 2016 Labour leadership election, Jeremy Corbyn began a reshuffle of his cabinet on 7 October:[20]

Summary of changes

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.

February 2017 reshuffle

Resignations

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.[21] This triggered the following resignations from the frontbench (in chronological order):

On Thursday 26 January:

On Friday 27 January:

On Wednesday 1 February:

On Wednesday 8 February:

  • Clive Lewis – Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy[25]

Replacements

  • 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

Following the 2017 general election, Corbyn began a reshuffle of his shadow cabinet:[26]

On 14 June 2017:

Later that month, Corbyn sacked three shadow ministers (Ruth Cadbury, Catherine West and Andy Slaughter) and a fourth (Daniel Zeichner) resigned.[27] 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.[27]

August 2017

October 2017

Richard Corbett was elected Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party, replacing Glenis Willmott and attending Shadow Cabinet meetings.

January 2018

March 2018

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

Kate Osamor, Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, resigned. She was replaced by Dan Carden.

January 2020

2020 post-election cabinet reshuffle

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.

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

  • 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

References

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