Opposition frontbench of Jeremy Corbyn

The frontbench of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in the Parliament of the United Kingdom consists of the Shadow Cabinet and other shadow ministers of the political party currently serving as the Official Opposition. From 2015 to 2020, Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition was the Labour Party, and the Leader of the Opposition was Jeremy Corbyn.

Key

Leader of the Opposition and Cabinet Office

Devolved and local government

Digital, culture, media and sport

Economy

Environment

Foreign relations

Law and order

Parliament

Social services

Transport

Women and equalities

Reshuffles and changes

2015

2016

January

Paula Sherriff resigned as Jon Trickett's PPS.^[6]

Jim McMahon was appointed PPS to Tom Watson, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.^[7]

February

Naz Shah was appointed PPS to John McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor.^[8]

April

Naz Shah resigned as a PPS after her past comments about Israel were uncovered.^[9]

October

Karin Smyth was appointed as PPS to Keir Starmer, Shadow Brexit Secretary.^[10]

2017

July

The following appointments were made:

• Dan Carden as PPS to Rebecca Long-Bailey, Shadow BEIS Secretary.^[11]
• Helen Goodman as a Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister,^[12] with responsibilities including the Americas, Australasia, Far East and Polar Regions.^[13]
• Emma Hardy as PPS to Keir Starmer, Shadow Brexit Secretary.^[14]
• Jo Platt as PPS to Angela Rayner, Shadow Education Secretary.^[15]
• Luke Pollard as PPS to Sue Hayman, Shadow DEFRA Secretary.^[16]
• Matt Rodda as PPS to Andy McDonald, Shadow Transport Secretary.^[17]
• Danielle Rowley as PPS to Emily Thornberry, Shadow Foreign Secretary.^[18]
• Lloyd Russell-Moyle as PPS to Richard Burgon, Shadow Justice Secretary.^[19]

2018

January

The following appointments were made:

• Mike Amesbury as PPS to Debbie Abrahams, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary.^[20]
• Lyn Brown as a Shadow Treasury Minister, responsible for social inclusion and mobility.
• Bambos Charalambous as PPS to Rebecca Long-Bailey.^[21]
• Emma Dent Coad as PPS to Jon Trickett.^[22]
• Rosie Duffield as PPS to Dawn Butler.^[23]
• Clive Lewis as a Shadow Treasury Minister, responsible for economic sustainability.
• Sarah Jones as PPS to John Healey.^[24]

February

The following appointments were made:

• Ruth George as PPS to Andy McDonald, Shadow Transport Secretary.^[25]
• Ged Killen as PPS to Nia Griffith, Shadow Defence Secretary.^[26]
• Ellie Reeves as PPS to Kate Osamor, Shadow International Development Secretary.^[27]

May

James Frith was appointed PPS to John Healey, Shadow Housing Secretary.^[28]

June

Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Laura Smith and PPSs Tonia Antoniazzi, Rosie Duffield, Ged Killen, Anna McMorrin and Ellie Reeves resigned on 13 June after defying the whip on a Brexit vote.^[29]

July

Karin Smyth, Shadow Deputy Commons Leader, was appointed Shadow Northern Ireland Minister.^[30] Luke Pollard was promoted from PPS to the Shadow DEFRA Secretary to Shadow DEFRA Minister on an acting basis whilst Holly Lynch was on maternity leave.^[30]

October

Sandy Martin was appointed Shadow DEFRA Minister.^[31]

2019

January

Diane Abbott replaced Kate Osamor as a front bench representative on the Labour NEC.^[32]

March

Alex Norris was appointed Shadow International Development Minister on an acting basis.^[33]

Ruth Smeeth resigned as PPS to Tom Watson after serving in the role for two years.^[34]

April

Alex Cunningham was appointed Shadow Housing Minister.^[35][36]

July

Stephen Morgan was appointed Shadow Communities and Local Government Minister.^[37] Justin Madders was appointed acting Shadow BEIS Minister whilst Laura Pidcock as maternity cover for Laura Pidcock, and continued to serve in the Health and Social Care team.^[38]

Gloria de Piero resigned as a Shadow Justice Minister.^[39]

August

Alex Sobel was appointed as PPS to Emily Thornberry, Shadow Foreign Secretary.^[40]

2020

January

Ruth Jones, Alan Whitehead and Daniel Zeichner were appointed as Shadow DEFRA Ministers, Tulip Siddiq as Shadow Education Minister, Catherine West as Shadow DCMS Minister, and Abena Oppong-Asare and Navendu Mishra appointed as PPSs.^[41]

Later in the month, the following appointments were made:

• Bambos Charalambous as a Shadow Justice Minister, leading on legal aid and victims.^[42]
• Helen Hayes as an Opposition Whip.^[43]
• Conor McGinn as an Opposition Whip.^[43]
• Kate Osborne as PPS to Diane Abbott, Shadow Home Secretary.^[44]
• Stephanie Peacock as a Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, responsible for the Office of Veterans and government procurement.^[43]
• Bell Ribeiro-Addy as Shadow Immigration Minister.^[45]
• Zarah Sultana as PPS to Dan Carden, Shadow International Development Secretary.^[46]

February

Claudia Webbe was appointed PPS to Margaret Greenwood, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, on 26 February.^[47]

March

Rachel Hopkins was appointed PPS to Richard Burgon, Shadow Justice Secretary.^[48]

Notes

1. Joint with BIS (2015-16).
2. Joint with Business, Innovation and Skills and Education (2015-16).
3. Joint with Defence and FCO
4. Joint with Defence and FCO
5. Joint with Business, Innovation and Skills and Education (2015-16).
6. Acting: March 2018 - May 2018.

References

1. Mason, Rowena (5 January 2016). "Emma Lewell-Buck is the new shadow minister for devolution and local govt". Twitter.
2. "Labour's Chi Onwurah denies she made racism claim against Corbyn". the Guardian. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
3. "Chi Onwurah: We are at war with ourselves – but there is nothing socialist about incompetence". LabourList. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
4. On leave in June 2017.
5. "Ms Smith Goes to Westminster | Magazine, moving | News". UNISON National. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
6. Paul, Brand (11 January 2016). "As well as @CatMcKinnellMP's resignation, I can now confirm @paulasherriff has resigned as PPS to Jon Trickett, as I hinted last week". Twitter. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
7. McMahon, Jim (21 January 2016). "Delighted to have been offered & accepted role of PPS to Tom Watson, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party". Twitter.
8. Umunna, Chucka (9 February 2016). "Many congrats to my wonderful friend @NazShahBfd on her appointment as PPS today!". Twitter. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
9. Pope, Conor. "Naz Shah apologises and quits as frontbench aide over Israel "relocation" plan". LabourList. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
10. "Karin Smyth joins Labour's Brexit team". Bristol 24/7. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
11. Carden, Dan (13 July 2017). "Delighted to announce that I've been appointed PPS to the wonderful @RLong_Bailey to assist on Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy". Twitter. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
12. "Helen Goodman MP joins Corbyn's front bench". ITV News. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
13. Goodman, Helen (6 July 2017). "Responsibilities in shadow foreign affairs team includes..." Twitter.
14. Starmer, Keir (18 July 2017). "Delighted that my PPS @karinsmyth promoted to Shadow Dep Leader of House: equally delighted that 2017 MP @EmmaHardyMP appointed as new PPS!". Twitter. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
15. Platt, Jo (13 July 2017). "Honoured to have been appointed PPS to the wonderful @AngelaRayner Proud to be a part of this great team. #StandingUpForEducation #Labour". Twitter. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
16. Pollard, Luke (20 July 2017). "Delighted that @jeremycorbyn has appointed me as a PPS supporting @SueHayman1 and @LabourDefra. Just in time for #defraqs at 9.30am #LukeMP". Twitter. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
17. McDonald, Andy (19 July 2017). "Delighted to announce @MattRodda MP as my PPS. He is a fabulous addition to Labour's Shadow Transport Team". Twitter.
18. Rowley, Danielle (17 July 2017). "Delighted to be appointed as PPS to @EmilyThornberry". Twitter. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
19. Burgon, Richard (18 July 2017). "Delighted to announce brilliant new MP for Brighton Kemptown @lloyd_rm is my Parliamentary Private Secretary in Labour's Shadow Justice team". Twitter. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
20. "Mike Amesbury promoted to Labour's Shadow team". Northwich Guardian. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
21. Charalambous, Bambos (17 January 2018). "I am delighted to have been promoted by @jeremycorbyn as the PPS to @RLong_Bailey Shadow Secretary of State for BEIS". Twitter. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
22. Trickett, Jon (13 January 2018). "Excited to announce that @emmadentcoad has been appointed as my PPS". Twitter. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
23. Butler, Dawn (12 January 2018). "Really pleased to welcome @RosieDuffield1 to the @LabourEquality team as my PPS. She will be an amazing addition to the team". Twitter. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
24. Jones, Sarah (13 January 2018). "Really delighted to join the #Labour housing team as @JohnHealey_MP's PPS. Such a crucial issue, I hope I can help hold the gov to account". Twitter. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
25. "New job role for High Peak MP". www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
26. Griffith, Nia (20 February 2018). "Delighted to have @Gedk join Labour's Shadow Defence team as my new PPS - welcome Ged!". Twitter. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
27. Reeves, Ellie (20 February 2018). "Delighted to be joining @jeremycorbyn front bench as PPS to the International Development team". Twitter. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
28. "Bury MP's 'delight' over new parliamentary role". Bury Times. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
29. "Six Labour MPs quit frontbench roles over key Brexit vote". Sky News. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
30. Rodgers, Sienna. "Karin Smyth and Luke Pollard get new Labour frontbench roles". LabourList. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
31. "New appointments this week in UK politics, the civil service and public affairs". Politics Home. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
32. "New appointments this week in UK politics, the civil service and public affairs". Politics Home. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
33. Labour, International Development (5 March 2019). "We're delighted to announce that @ANorrisMP is joining the Labour DFID team as the new acting shadow minister". Twitter.
34. Corrigan, Phil (14 March 2019). "City MP Ruth Smeeth resigns as Labour PPS to vote against second referendum". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
35. "Labour announces Alex Cunningham MP as Shadow Housing Minister". The Labour Party. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
36. "New appointments this week in UK politics, the civil service and public affairs". Politics Home. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
37. "New appointments this week in UK politics, the civil service and public affairs". Politics Home. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
38. "New appointments this week in UK politics, the civil service and public affairs". Politics Home. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
39. "Gloria De Piero: Labour MP quits as shadow justice minister". BBC News. 20 July 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
40. "New appointments this week in UK politics, the civil service and public affairs". Politics Home. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
41. "New appointments this week in UK politics, the civil service and public affairs". Politics Home. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
42. Charalambous, Bambos (22 January 2020). "It is a real honour to have been asked to serve as a Shadow Justice Minister". Twitter.
43. "New appointments this week in UK politics, the civil service and public affairs". Politics Home. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
44. "Jarrow MP Kate Osborne joins Shadow Home Office team as Diane Abbott's parliamentary private secretary". www.shieldsgazette.com. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
45. "Bell Ribeiro-Addy appointed as shadow immigration minister". Voice Online. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
46. Sultana, Zarah (28 January 2020). "I'm excited to join the Shadow International Development team, as @DanCardenMP's Parliamentary Private Secretary!". Twitter.
47. Greenwood, Margaret (26 February 2020). "Delighted that ⁦@ClaudiaWebbe⁩ has agreed to be my Parliamentary Private Secretary". Twitter.
48. Burgon, Richard (2 March 2020). "Proud to announce that @rach_hopkins is my new Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS)". Twitter. Retrieved 9 November 2021.