CCHQ statement on changes to the frontbench in the Lords

"Lord Strathclyde, Leader of the Opposition, House of Lords, has announced changes to the Conservative front bench team in the House of team for the 2006-7 Parliamentary session.

The new appointments are:

• Baroness Wilcox: Currently spokesman on the Cabinet Office, becomes principal Opposition Spokesman for Trade and Industry
• Baroness Morris of Bolton (pictured): Currently a Whip, also becomes principal Opposition Spokesman for Education.
• Lord Howard of Rising:  Currently a Whip, also becomes principal Opposition Spokesman for Culture Media and Sport.
• Lord de Mauley:  Currently a Whip, also becomes principal Opposition Spokesman for the Cabinet Office (and continues as a spokesman on DTI).
• Baroness Verma and Lord Taylor of Holbeach have been appointed to the Whips Office.

Commenting, Lord Strathclyde, said:

“I congratulate those stepping up and those joining the team. They are outstandingly able. They will do the same skilled, effective job in holding this failing government to account as their predecessors.  I am enormously grateful to those who indicated a wish to leave the Front Bench for the great service they have given. The Lords is a part-time House and a particularly heavy burden fall on Opposition spokesmen. William Astor, Peta Buscombe, Doreen Miller and Robin Hodgson all made remarkable contributions in their fields over many years – and I will miss them.”"

Comments

[NigelC]

Obviously no interest in this then..... 3 1/2 hrs and no comments.

[Ted]

Think perhaps the US elections and Donald Rumsfeld's resignation might have been deserving of a piece - re-organisation of the Lords Front Bench in light of those doesn't grab ones interest.

[James Maskell]

Changes to the Lords set up doesnt really excite me that much...

[Richard Weatherill]

The most interesting event in the HoL this week was our disgraceful capitulation over the Police and Justice Bill.

[Justin Hinchcliffe]

Baroness Miller did a fantastic job as a front bench spokeswoman - she really will be missed! Enjoy your second retirement, Doreen!

[Judas was paid!]

'Changes to the Lords set up doesnt really excite me that much...'

Than why bother commenting?

[Jamie Oliver's Sausage]

Because we're wasting time on a total non-event involding a bunch of clapped out nobodies, when we could be celebrating the joyous defeat of Bush and removal of the appalling Rumsfeld.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

[James Maskell]

Could ask you the same question, Mike.

[Liberalone]

Doreen Miller had of course already resigned over Hague's comments on Israel and how she had been treated by Cameron's office (see Jewish Chronicle about 2 weeks ago). Unfortunately for her nobody had noticed.

[Liberalone]

"The most interesting event in the HoL this week was our disgraceful capitulation over the Police and Justice Bill."

Hear Hear

[Editor]

I was a bit slow posting on the US but have now done so: here.

[John Irvine]

>>Doreen Miller had of course already resigned over Hague's comments on Israel and how she had been treated by Cameron's office (see Jewish Chronicle about 2 weeks ago). Unfortunately for her nobody had noticed<<

It sounds like a major story has been missed by the press.

I recall Doreen Miller from years back and I agree with Justin. It is a great blow to lose such a talented woman

[Alexander Drake]

I would like to praise Peta Buscombe's work as a shadow minister in the Lords. I remember going with her once to a Conservative Peers meeting at Westminster (I was a lowly Smith Square minion) and at that particular meeting it looked like she was the youngest by about twenty years, at least. I rated her as a talented, hard-working, committed frontbencher fighting the good fight. My very best wishes to you Peta.

[Antony Braithwaite]

Judith Wilcox (principal Opposition Spokesman for Trade and Industry) is far from being a 'clapped out nobody'. She is from West Country fishing industry (couldnt get tougher than that)- ran the Consumer Council - much respected in Industry (Cadbury Schwepps, Automobile Association etc)- an intelligent and articulate speaker - good luck to her - we must be the preferred party in Trade and Industry.