Huhne rewarded in Clegg's first Lib Dem 'Cabinet'

Nick Clegg names first Cabinet

Thursday, 20, Dec 2007 12:00

Nick Clegg today named his first shadow Cabinet as leader of the Liberal Democrats.

After winning the leadership by just 511 votes, Mr Clegg has promoted his rival Chris Huhne to the home affairs brief, left vacant by his own promotion.

Ed Davey, often tipped as a future leader himself, has been promoted to represent the foreign affairs brief, while also remaining chair of campaigns and communications.

Mr Davey co-wrote the 2004 Orange Book, which urged the Liberal Democrats to embrace the free market, and like Mr Clegg is seen as being on the right of the party.

As expected, Vince Cable holds on to the economic affairs portfolio and is likely to see his role as deputy leader beefed up, as the party hopes to capitalise on the positive press he received as acting leader.

Also as predicted, Stephen Webb has been promoted to represent Mr Huhne's former brief shadowing the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Clegg supporter Julia Goldsworthy has been rewarded with the communities and local government brief and Danny Alexander remains at work and pensions.

David Laws remains children and schools spokesman but is also expected to talk more widely on public services.

Michael Moore, formerly Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesman, has been demoted to international development. Sarah Teather also moves sideways from representing higher education and innovation to business, enterprise and regulatory reform.

Stephen Williams takes over the innovation, universities and skills brief, while Lynne Featherstone will speak on youth and equality.

Norman Baker replaces Susan Kramer on transport, with Ms Kramer now speaking on families as well as acting as shadow minister for the Cabinet Office.

Lembit Opik could be set to see his media profile rise higher as he takes on responsibility for housing, set out as a key priority for Gordon Brown over 2008.

Norman Lamb remains Lib Dem health spokesman and Don Foster keeps the culture, media and sport portfolio.

Former leaders Menzies Campbell and Charles Kennedy will not be serving on Mr Clegg's cabinet but retain a role in Lib Dem politics.

Sir Menzies is set to join the foreign affairs select committee and will also be conducting a full review of Britain's future military capability. Mr Kennedy will be campaigning on European issues as president of the European movement.

Mr Clegg has divided his Cabinet into "teams" which he says will enable the party to focus its messages on public services, inequality, families and decentralising power.

Speaking today, the new Lib Dem leader said: "I am hugely excited by the team I am announcing today, it demonstrates the vast talent in the Liberal Democrat party.

"I look forward to working with them to take forward my agenda and my messages to engage with the real concerns of the public."