Shadow Cabinet of John Major
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John Major, Leader of the Conservative Party was Leader of the Opposition from 2 May 1997, following his defeat at the 1997 general election, until 19 June 1997, when William Hague was elected to succeed him. Following the defeat, Major announced his resignation as leader. But, for logistical reasons, a new leader could not be elected for several weeks. In the intervening period, Major appointed an interim Shadow Cabinet.
The Shadow Cabinet was based on Major's final Cabinet. However, as seven Cabinet Ministers had lost their seats in the general election and another had not contested his seat, there were several vacancies. These were largely filled by either Major himself or by a relevant minister in the outgoing Cabinet.
The position of Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland was not filled as the Conservatives had lost all their Scottish MPs in the election. Michael Howard and William Hague were given joint responsibility for constitutional matters, including the brief to handle the Scottish devolution legislation.
Shadow Cabinet list
Portfolio | Shadow Minister |
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Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition Leader of the British Conservative Party Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Shadow Secretary of State for Defence |
John Major |
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster |
Michael Heseltine |
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer | Kenneth Clarke |
Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department Shadow Minister with special interest in constitutional matters |
Michael Howard |
Shadow Secretary of State for Health | Stephen Dorrell |
Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Employment | Gillian Shephard |
Shadow Secretary of State for Social Security | Peter Lilley |
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport | Sir George Young |
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Shadow Minister with special interest in constitutional matters |
William Hague |
Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | Douglas Hogg |
Shadow Lord Chancellor | Lord Mackay of Clashfern |
Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment | John Gummer |
Shadow Secretary of State for National Heritage | Virginia Bottomley |
Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords | Viscount Cranborne |
Chairman of the Conservative Party | Brian Mawhinney |
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Opposition Chief Whip |
Alastair Goodlad |
See also
Conservatism portal
External links
- "Opposition Frontbench Spokespersons as at 13 May 1997 (Interim List)". Weekly Information Bulletin. House of Commons Information Office. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
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