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.
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.
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:
Chris Leslie was replaced as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer by John McDonnellYvette Cooper was replaced as Shadow Home Secretary by Andy BurnhamChuka Umunna was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills by Angela Eagle; who was further appointed Shadow First Secretary of State, deputising at Prime Minister's Questions, a role that was filled by Hilary Benn in the previous Shadow CabinetRachel Reeves was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by Owen Smith, though she was on maternity leave at the time of her announcement and the brief had been filled by Stephen Timms since shortly after the general election, who himself rejected a junior roleTristram Hunt was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Education by Lucy PowellEmma Reynolds was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government by Jon Trickett, who was also appointed to a new role as Shadow Minister for the Constitutional ConventionCaroline Flint was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change by Lisa NandyMary Creagh was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for International Development by Diane AbbottShabana Mahmood was replaced as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury by Seema MalhotraLiz Kendall resigned as Shadow Minister for Care and Older People (attending Shadow Cabinet); a junior minister is yet to be announcedThe remaining changes are as follows:
Harriet Harman, who had previously announced she would step down from frontbench politics after nearly 30 years, was replaced as Deputy Leader by Tom Watson, who also replaced Powell as Shadow Minister for the Cabinet OfficeBurnham was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Health by Heidi AlexanderVernon Coaker was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Defence by Maria EagleAngela Eagle was replaced as Shadow Leader of the House of Commons by Chris BryantMichael Dugher was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Transport by Lilian GreenwoodIvan Lewis, who stated he was willing to serve, was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by CoakerOwen Smith was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales by Nia GriffithMaria Eagle was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by Kerry McCarthyBryant was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by DugherTrickett was replaced as Shadow Minister without Portfolio by Jon Ashworth, not as a full member, like Trickett, but still attending Shadow CabinetGloria De Piero was replaced as Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities by Kate Green, but was appointed to a new role as Shadow Minister for Young People and Voter Registration with full Shadow Cabinet membershipLuciana Berger was appointed to a new role as Shadow Minister for Mental Health with full Shadow Cabinet membershipThe Lord Bach was replaced as Shadow Attorney General (attending Shadow Cabinet) by Catherine McKinnellRoberta Blackman-Woods was replaced as Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning by John Healey, though Healey would be attending Shadow Cabinet, unlike Blackman-WoodsIn 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.All members of Corbyn's first Shadow Cabinet previously voted in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.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). He also replaced Shadow Europe Minister (not attending Shadow Cabinet) Pat McFadden with Pat Glass. 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. 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.
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.
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 Benn informed Corbyn that he had lost confidence in his leadership in the wake of the vote to leave the European Union. Subsequently, the following resigned (in chronological order):
Heidi Alexander – Shadow Health SecretaryGloria De Piero – Shadow Minister for Young People and Voter RegistrationIan Murray – Shadow Scottish SecretaryLilian Greenwood – Shadow Transport SecretaryLucy Powell – Shadow Education SecretaryKerry McCarthy – Shadow Environment SecretarySeema Malhotra – Shadow Chief Secretary to the TreasuryVernon Coaker – Shadow Northern Ireland SecretaryCharles Falconer – Shadow Justice SecretaryKarl Turner – Shadow Attorney GeneralChris Bryant – Shadow Leader of the House of CommonsDiana Johnson – Shadow Foreign and Commonwealth MinisterOn 27 June:
Lisa Nandy – Shadow Energy SecretaryOwen Smith – Shadow Work and Pensions SecretaryAngela Eagle – Shadow First Secretary of State and Shadow Business SecretaryJohn Healey – Shadow Minister for Housing and PlanningNia Griffith – Shadow Welsh SecretaryMaria Eagle – Shadow Culture SecretaryKate Green – Shadow Minister for Women and EqualitiesLuciana Berger – Shadow Minister for Mental HealthOn 29 June:
Pat Glass – new Shadow Education SecretaryAll cited concerns over the EU vote and Corbyn's leadership.
Following the resignations, Corbyn appointed several new MPs to shadow cabinet positions:
Emily Thornberry – Shadow Foreign SecretaryDiane Abbott – Shadow Health SecretaryPat Glass – Shadow Education Secretary (resigned on 29 June 2016)Andy McDonald – Shadow Transport SecretaryClive Lewis – Shadow Defence SecretaryRebecca Long-Bailey – Shadow Chief Secretary to the TreasuryKate Osamor – Shadow International Development SecretaryRachael Maskell – Shadow Environment SecretaryCat Smith – Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth AffairsDave Anderson – Shadow Northern Ireland SecretaryDave Anderson – Shadow Scottish SecretaryRichard Burgon – Shadow Justice SecretaryDebbie Abrahams – Shadow Work and Pensions SecretaryGrahame Morris – Shadow Communities SecretaryBarry Gardiner – Shadow Energy SecretaryJon Trickett – Shadow Lord President of the CouncilJon Trickett – Shadow Business SecretaryAngela Rayner – Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities (later appointed Shadow Education Secretary)Angela Rayner – Shadow Education SecretaryPaul Flynn – Shadow Secretary of State for WalesPaul Flynn – Shadow Leader of the House of CommonsKelvin Hopkins – Shadow Culture SecretaryEmily Thornberry – Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European UnionBarry Gardiner – Shadow International Trade SecretaryFollowing his victory in the 2016 Labour Party leadership election, Jeremy Corbyn began a reshuffle of his cabinet on 7 October:
Leader of the Opposition – Jeremy CorbynDeputy Leader and Shadow Culture Secretary – Tom WatsonShadow Chancellor of the Exchequer – John McDonnellShadow Foreign Secretary – Emily ThornberryShadow Home Secretary – Diane AbbottShadow Education Secretary – Angela RaynerShadow Work and Pensions Secretary – Debbie AbrahamsShadow Health Secretary – Jon AshworthShadow Defence Secretary – Nia GriffithShadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury – Rebecca Long-BaileyShadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union – Keir StarmerShadow Business Secretary – Clive LewisShadow International Trade Secretary – Barry GardinerShadow International Development Secretary – Kate OsamorShadow Transport Secretary – Andy McDonaldShadow Communities Secretary – Teresa PearceShadow Environment Secretary – Rachael MaskellShadow Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor – Richard BurgonShadow Lord President of the Council – Jon TrickettShadow Attorney General – The Baroness ChakrabartiShadow Scotland Secretary and Northern Ireland Secretary – Dave AndersonShadow Wales Secretary – Jo StevensShadow Housing Secretary – John HealeyShadow Women and Equalities Minister – Sarah ChampionShadow Black and Minority Ethnic Communities Minister – Dawn ButlerShadow Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs Minister – Cat SmithShadow Cabinet Office Minister – Ian LaveryShadow Mental Health and Social Care Minister – Barbara KeeleyShadow Minister without Portfolio – Andrew GwynneShadow Leader of the House of Commons – Valerie VazOwen Smith, who lost to Corbyn in the preceding leadership election, declined to continue in Shadow Cabinet, if offered. The Baroness Smith of Basildon and The Lord Bassam of Brighton 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.
Tom Watson, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, was moved from Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office and replaced by Ian Lavery.Andy Burnham resigned as Shadow Home Secretary to focus on his 2017 bid for Mayor of Greater Manchester and was replaced by Diane Abbott. This made the first Labour frontbench where two of the Great Offices of State were held by women.Clive Lewis was moved from Shadow Secretary of State for Defence and was replaced by Nia Griffith.Lewis was given the newly merged Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to reflect the departmental changes at Whitehall. Jon Trickett, who had been Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, remained Shadow Lord President of the Council and Director of Campaigns and Elections. Barry Gardiner, who had been Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, remained Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade.Emily Thornberry remained Shadow Foreign Secretary, but was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union by Keir Starmer.Abbott was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Health by Jon Ashworth.Grahame Morris went on leave and was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Shadow Minister for the Constitutional Convention by Teresa Pearce.Kelvin Hopkins was replaced as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by Watson.John Healey, who had resigned as Shadow Secretary of State for Housing in the previous June reshuffle, returned and was promoted to Shadow Secretary of State for Housing.Paul Flynn retired from Shadow Cabinet and was replaced as Shadow Leader of the House of Commons by Valerie Vaz, and as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales by Jo Stevens.The Baroness Chakrabarti was appointed as Shadow Attorney General, which had been vacant since Karl Turner's resignation in June.Rosie Winterton was replaced as Shadow Chief Whip of the House of Commons by Nick Brown.Barbara Keeley was appointed Shadow Minister for Mental Health, which had been vacant since Luciana Berger's resignation in June.Dawn Butler was appointed to a new post as Shadow Minister for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities.Ashworth was replaced as Shadow Minister without Portfolio by Andrew Gwynne.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. This triggered the following resignations from the frontbench (in chronological order):
On Thursday 26 January:
Tulip Siddiq – Shadow Minister for Early Years (not in Shadow Cabinet)On Friday 27 January:
Jo Stevens – Shadow Welsh SecretaryOn Wednesday 1 February:
Dawn Butler – Shadow Minister for Diverse CommunitiesRachael Maskell – Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsOn Wednesday 8 February:
Clive Lewis – Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial StrategyClive Lewis was replaced by Rebecca Long-Bailey as Shadow Business SecretaryRebecca Long-Bailey was replaced by Peter Dowd as Shadow Chief Secretary to the TreasuryRachel Maskell was replaced by Sue Hayman as Shadow Environment SecretaryJo Stevens was replaced by Christina Rees (politician) as Shadow Welsh SecretaryOn 27 September 2015, the formation of an Economic Advisory Committee was announced, with John McDonnell saying: "I am delighted to convene this Economic Advisory Committee that will assist in developing a radical but pragmatic and deliverable economic policy for our country."
David Blanchflower, Professor, Dartmouth College and former member of the Monetary Policy Committee (resigned 29 June 2016)Mariana Mazzucato, Professor, University of SussexAnastasia Nesvetailova, Professor, City, University of LondonThomas Piketty, Professor, Paris School of Economics (Resigned 29 June 2016)Ann Pettifor, Director, Policy Research in Macroeconomics (PRIME)Joseph Stiglitz, Professor, Columbia University and recipient of the 2001 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic SciencesSimon Wren-Lewis, Professor, University of OxfordDanny Blanchflower quit the panel and said he would also wind up his review of the role of the Bank of England on 28 June 2016 following the mass resignations of the Shadow Cabinet, joining them in calling for Corbyn to step down. Piketty revealed that he had also left the panel in June, citing work commitments, whilst other members of the panel issued a statement saying the panel had agreed to delay further meetings but would be "honoured" to serve the Labour Party in future after the leadership situation was resolved. Simon Wren-Lewis later joined with Blanchflower endorsing Owen Smith over Corbyn for the leadership on 31 July 2016.
The current states of the committee after Corbyn's reelection as leader and subsequent reshuffle in October 2016 is unknown.
