06/03/2006
Sir Menzies appoints Lib Dem frontbench team
Newly elected Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell has begun appointing his frontbench team.
As widely expected by political commentators, Nick Clegg has been appointed to the party's frontbench, taking the post of home affairs spokesperson. The 39-year-old, a key supporter of Sir Menzies campaign, has only been an MP since last year, but is regarded by many to be one of the party's rising stars.
Julia Goldsworthy - England's youngest MP at just 28 - will also join the Lib Dem frontbench, becoming the chief secretary to the Treasury.
Chris Huhne, the runner-up in the leadership contest, has also been appointed to the frontbench, becoming the environment spokesperson.
Michael Moore, who was the party's defence spokesperson, will become the foreign affairs spokesperson.
Steve Webb will remain the party's health spokesperson, while Vince Cable will continue in the post of Treasury spokesperson, a post he had held since 2003.
At the party's spring conference at the weekend, Norman Lamb was confirmed as the party's Chief of Staff.
Commenting on the appointments, Sir Menzies said: "We have the brightest political generation in our ranks and I'm relishing the opportunity to lead them.
"Nick and Julia will be formidable additions to the shadow cabinet. Our new team will be more than a match for the government and the Conservatives.
"I have said we need to challenge orthodoxy. We need new thinking and fresh ideas. In a whole range of areas - the environment, civil liberties, Britain's place on the international stage and tackling poverty - only the Liberal Democrats can provide the fresh thinking we need."
The rest of the Liberal Democrat frontbench team is expected to be finalised this week.
(KMcA/GB)
As widely expected by political commentators, Nick Clegg has been appointed to the party's frontbench, taking the post of home affairs spokesperson. The 39-year-old, a key supporter of Sir Menzies campaign, has only been an MP since last year, but is regarded by many to be one of the party's rising stars.
Julia Goldsworthy - England's youngest MP at just 28 - will also join the Lib Dem frontbench, becoming the chief secretary to the Treasury.
Chris Huhne, the runner-up in the leadership contest, has also been appointed to the frontbench, becoming the environment spokesperson.
Michael Moore, who was the party's defence spokesperson, will become the foreign affairs spokesperson.
Steve Webb will remain the party's health spokesperson, while Vince Cable will continue in the post of Treasury spokesperson, a post he had held since 2003.
At the party's spring conference at the weekend, Norman Lamb was confirmed as the party's Chief of Staff.
Commenting on the appointments, Sir Menzies said: "We have the brightest political generation in our ranks and I'm relishing the opportunity to lead them.
"Nick and Julia will be formidable additions to the shadow cabinet. Our new team will be more than a match for the government and the Conservatives.
"I have said we need to challenge orthodoxy. We need new thinking and fresh ideas. In a whole range of areas - the environment, civil liberties, Britain's place on the international stage and tackling poverty - only the Liberal Democrats can provide the fresh thinking we need."
The rest of the Liberal Democrat frontbench team is expected to be finalised this week.
(KMcA/GB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.