1530: Ken Clarke takes his place on the frontbench alongside David Cameron and George Osborne in the chamber this afternoon:
1515: Paul Waugh at the Evening Standard lists some names moving in the junior ranks:
- Justine Greening gets promotion to number 2 slot at Communities and Local Govt;
- Richard Benyon gets Shadow Defra,
- Crispin Blunt gets shadow security,
- David Evennett gets Shadow DIUS,
- Greg Hands joins the Treasury team
- John Penrose gets shadow business beat
- Bill Wiggin and Rob Wilson join the whips.
1445: Just noticed that in a post this morning Andrew Porter reported that Edward Garnier will be shadow attorney general - which turned out not to be the case. It will remain Dominic Grieve.
1330: A smooth reshuffle wasn't quite perfect (from conservatives.com):
1250: Iain Dale reports that Michael Fallon turned down the chance to serve on the Treasury team in favour of remaining on the treasury select committee.
1225: With Mark Francois promoted to shadow cabinet, we have confirmation that his fellow foreign affairs team member David Lidington will no longer attend shadow cabinet meetings, but he will remain in place as an extremely well-regarded member of William Hague's team.
1130: Confirmation of all Shadow Cabinet changes from CCHQ on this ToryDiary thread
1130: Sky report that among the reshuffling, shadow Europe minister Mark Francois is being promoted to the shadow cabinet.
1127: CCHQ releases statements from David Cameron and Ken Clarke on Clarke's return to the frontbench. Read them on the reaction to Clarke's appointment thread.
1124: Nick Herbert confirmed as shadow Defra secretary.
1118: Theresa May confirmed as new shadow work and pensions secretary.
1114: BBC - Alan Duncan is shadow leader of the Commons.
1112: Unconfirmed rumours of Chris Grayling taking Home Affairs, Dominic Grieve moving to Justice and Nick Herbert to Defra
Material from earlier in the morning is on this live blog
Caroline Spelmans new responsibilty
A Place for Every Child: Making the Free Entitlement Work
23 October 2008 – National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and the Local Government Association (LGA) today launched a new publication, ‘Making the Free Early Years Entitlement Work – good practice case studies to partnership working.’
Posted by: tim | January 19, 2009 at 11:30
I hope the new shadow leader will be opposing Hariette Harmans attempt to exclude MPs expenses from the Freedom of Information Act.
However it has been reported that the 1922 comittee support the exclusion - anyone know anything?
It is our (tax-payers money) - if MP's don't want us to know what they spend, then they should use their own money...
Cameron needs to reaffirm his commitment to openness by opposing this coverup; also his commitment to not being controlled by europe, the torys must leave the EPP immediately.
Posted by: pp | January 19, 2009 at 11:31
Official from CCHQ:
RESHUFFLE
New to the Shadow Cabinet:
The Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC MP Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Mark Francois MP Shadow Minister for Europe
New Shadow Cabinet responsibilities:
Alan Duncan MP Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Chris Grayling MP Shadow Home Secretary
The Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP Shadow Secretary of State for Justice
Nick Herbert MP Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Rt Hon Theresa May MP Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Shadow Minister for Women
Eric Pickles MP Chairman of the Conservative Party
Caroline Spelman MP Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Posted by: Insider | January 19, 2009 at 11:35
The big six now will be Cameron, Hague, Osborne, Clarke, Grayling and Pickles. A very strong and impressive top six. A shame its all male, but very very strong.
Posted by: James Hopkins | January 19, 2009 at 11:37
Message for Chris Grayling MP - we don't need more legislation. Enough already. We don't need to create hundreds of new criminal offences - just enforce existing law. The focus should be on order, not law.
Posted by: Tory Barrister | January 19, 2009 at 12:09
Could we possibly repeal some of the new offences created by Labour?
Posted by: john broughton | January 19, 2009 at 12:41
Wot no David Davis?
Posted by: Anon | January 19, 2009 at 12:50
Any idea when the news will come through on the non-cabinet Ministerial positions?
Posted by: Prentiz | January 19, 2009 at 13:31
Great - Radio 5 live already has pointless argument about 20 year old problems on Europe.
Truth is, Ken's return is an admission by the party that bringing back Mandelson has worked, and has forced DC into a response.
Groundhog Day.
Posted by: Sir Hillary | January 19, 2009 at 13:45
Not that I wish to demonstrate any element of schadenfreude but is there a list of those who are "out"?
Posted by: Craig Barrett | January 19, 2009 at 15:48
Yes. I think it goes something like this:
Peter Ainsworth (Shadow DEFRA Secretary)
Jacqui Lait (Shadow Local Govt Minister)
Posted by: James Hopkins | January 19, 2009 at 22:34