Ed Miliband reshuffles shadow cabinet for election push
ByThe Courier Reporter
Newly appointed Labour party shadow cabinet members, from left: minister for women and equalities Gloria de Piero, shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt and shadow housing minister Emma Reynolds.
Ed Miliband has dramatically reshaped his shadow cabinet ready for the general election, demoting Blairites and installing women in key posts.
The Labour leader ruthlessly shifted Liam Byrne from work and pensions to be replaced by Rachel Reeves, leaving him responsible for higher education and with no seat at the top table.
Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy will oversee international development policy, with Vernon Coaker taking over his old patch and Stephen Twigg has been ejected from education in favour of TV historian Tristram Hunt.
Maria Eagle, a strong supporter of the controversial HS2 high-speed rail project, is being switched to shadow environment secretary.
Michael Dugher, a former spokesman for Gordon Brown, has been promoted to shadow Cabinet Office minister and Mr Brown’s former adviser Spencer Livermore is being drafted in to manage the general election campaign.
Women lifted up the ranks include Emma Reynolds, now shadow housing minister, and shadow equalities minister Gloria de Piero. Liz Kendall is now shadow minister for care and older people.
Ed Miliband reshuffles shadow cabinet for election push
