While there was brief flurry of excitement last week at the who-will-be-Lib-Dem-shadow-chanellor-for-the-general-election speculation, it strike me that actually there is going to be a bit of a shift around in the not too distant future, as we will need a full 'Shadow Cabinet' going into the next election, and it's not immediately clear who will be in what post.
And it's not straightforward, especially with so many MPs retiring. Also I think you have to ignore members of the Lords for this, as it's the GE team. So people like Susan Kramer, who would make an excellent SoS for Transport, don't feature here
So I have helpfully sorted it out for Nick, and list it below.
(Nb This is the shadow cabinet for the election campaign, not the cabinet I would like to see after the election - when hopefully a lot of new names will feature highly!)
Leader
Nick Clegg
No comment necessary
Shadow Chancellor
Vince Cable
Yes, I know. But this isn't a replacement for Danny. Neither Nick nor Danny has this role currently - and Vince was undeniably brilliant at it in opposition, which is where we will be when the election is called again. And I suspect the country still seems him as mystic Vince. Plus how can Danny attack Osborne when he has been at his side for the last 4 years? This feels like a no brainer to me.
Foreign Secretary
Danny Alexander
I want to give Lynne F a big job. And I did have her pencilled in here. But I also need Danny to have a big job. Plus, Labour's foreign affairs spokesman is also called D Alexander. So it saves the signage maker a job.
Home Secretary
Lynne Featherstone
She's be great in the role and she'll give Theresa May a run for her money. The fact that she's a woman in one of the big 4 jobs is a bonus. Harsh perhaps on Norman Baker.
Defence
Nick Harvey
Would he take it after being sacked before? I don't know. But I wish he would. He's who I would want.
Education
David Laws
A controversial choice I agree. Not everyone's cup of tea in the party. But he is an expert on the topic, he is a Minister in the Department now, and he's a good media performer.
Health
Norman Lamb. No debate
Scotland
Alistair Carmichael
Wales
Jenny Willott
N Ireland
Lorely Burt
Work and Pensions
Steve Webb. Again, surely no debate here?
Communities and Local Government
Tim Farron. Come on. He'd be brilliant at this. And imagine a Tim vs Pickles dust up. Bring it on.
Business
Jo Swinson. In the department, good, capable, knowledgeable
Energy and Climate Change
Ed Davey. In post, great job
Justice
Norman Baker. Again, an antidote to Grayling, a topic close to his heart, and good compensation for not getting the HO brief.
DCMS
2 jobs Swinson for this
International Development
Lynne Featherstone. Yes, I am giving her 2 jobs as well.
Environment
Dan Rogerson. Doing a grand job in the department already
Constitutional Affairs (Nick's other job)
Michael Moore. I just trust him to get it done. Still feel he was terribly hard done by to lose his cabinet post, much as I admire Alistair
So any comments?
What, nothing for Christine Jardine, Layla Moran, Ibrahim Taguri, Julia Goldsworthy, and any others from what we hope will be the new intake?
ReplyDeleteIts the shadow cabinet for the election campaign - not the new cabinet for after the election when I hope all those names feature highly! I'll go back and make it clear!
ReplyDeletecheers