Sir Menzies Campbell completes Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet reshuffle

At 26, Jo Swinson becomes the youngest frontbench spokesperson in the House of Commons. She is the youngest MP in Parliament and the only MP to have been born in the 1980s.

Alistair Carmichael MP joins the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.

Nick Harvey MP enters the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Defence Secretary.

Sarah Teather MP, previously the party's Local Government spokesman, is promoted to Shadow Education Secretary.

Edward Davey MP becomes Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. He has also been tasked by Sir Menzies Campbell to carry out a review of the party's campaigning techniques - with a view to using the latest technologies to get Liberal Democrat messages across.

In other changes, Andrew Stunell MP takes on the ODPM portfolio. He will continue as Chief Whip until the party elects a successor.

Simon Hughes MP, Party President, remains as Shadow Attorney General and additionally takes on the Department for Constitutional Affairs portfolio.

David Heath MP remains as Shadow Leader of the House of Commons and the Shadow Cabinet Office Minister with responsibility for human rights legislation.

Don Foster MP is reappointed as Shadow Secretary of State for the Department of Culture Media and Sport.

Lembit Opik MP remains as Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales.

Commenting, Sir Menzies Campbell MP said:
"I am delighted to have completed my Shadow Cabinet reshuffle. The Liberal Democrats have a formidable Parliamentary team.

"I am determined that we will continue to develop a modern, forward looking liberal agenda. I have now put in place the team to carry that message forward. Only the Liberal Democrats can provide the value-based policies and approach that the British electorate are crying out for."

He added:
"I promised to bring more women into the Shadow Cabinet and have done exactly that. Jo Swinson joins my team as the youngest frontbench spokesperson in the House of Commons. Susan Kramer will be a formidable Shadow International Development Secretary. I know that Sarah Teather is greatly looking forward to challenging the government over their Education Bill.

"Julia Goldsworthy is already up and running as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

"I have also undertaken to ensure that we use the most modern campaigning techniques to get the Liberal Democrat message across. I have given Edward Davey the vital task of reviewing our communication techniques and ensuring we remain at the cutting edge of campaigning."

Shadow Cabinet as at Wednesday 8th March

The Full Shadow Cabinet
Leader Sir Menzies Campbell MP

Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable MP

Shadow Transport Secretary Alistair Carmichael MP

Shadow Home Secretary Nick Clegg MP

Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary Edward Davey MP

Shadow DCMS Secretary Don Foster MP

Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Julia Goldsworthy MP

Shadow Defence Secretary Nick Harvey MP

Leader of the House & Shadow Cabinet Office David Heath MP

Shadow Attorney General & Department of Constitutional Affairs Simon Hughes MP

Shadow DEFRA Secretary Chris Huhne MP

Shadow DFID Secretary Susan Kramer MP

Leader's Chief of Staff Norman Lamb MP

Shadow DWP Secretary David Laws MP

Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords Lord McNally

Shadow Foreign Secretary Michael Moore MP

Northern Ireland and Wales Lembit Opik MP

Chief Whip in the Lords Lord Shutt

Shadow to the ODPM Andrew Stunell MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Jo Swinson MP

Shadow Education Secretary Sarah Teather MP

Shadow Health Secretary Steve Webb MP

Deputy Leader Elected position

Chief Whip Elected position

Leaving Shadow Cabinet:
Andrew George MP, Tom Brake MP, John Thurso MP, Sandra Gidley MP and Norman Baker MP. Tom Brake MP and John Thurso MP will be nominated for Select Committee positions. Sandra Gidley MP will join the Liberal Democrat Health Team and be nominated for the Health Select Committee.

Related links to this article:
Liberal Democrats

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