New Lib Dem front bench unveiled
With the Liberal Democrats anticipating a possible general election in 2007, the party has announced a new front-bench team.
Party leader Menzies Campbell announced a string of changes to his top team, including a new health spokesman, chief of staff, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) spokeswoman, and a new international development spokeswoman.
Norman Lamb has moved from chief of staff – a position he has held since March – to take on the role of Lib Dem health spokesman.
Ed Davey takes on Mr Lamb’s role as chief of staff, in addition to his current role as chairman of campaigns and communications.
The DTI brief has been passed to Susan Kramer, who leaves her role as international development spokeswoman.
Lynne Featherstone joins the Liberal Democrat front bench for the first time taking on Ms Kramer’s international development portfolio.
The rest of the front bench is unchanged.
“A snap general election next year is a real possibility,” said Sir Menzies.
“With Steve Webb taking on the vital task of co-ordinating our election manifesto [which he did in October], I have had the chance to promote some of the brightest and best within our parliamentary ranks.”
And Sir Menzies’ new appointments are raring to go.
New health spokesman Norman Lamb commented: “I’m thrilled at the prospect of taking the health post, particularly at the time when the health service is faced with so many challenges.
“The Liberal Democrats will continue to challenge the government over how the record investment in the NHS has failed to secure sufficient and sustained improvements in front-line care.”
New chief of staff to Ed Davey was “delighted” with his new role.
“With Tony Blair on his way out, the chance of an early election is significant and so these changes makes perfect sense to get the team ready for that date,” he said.
Susan Kramer, who has just taken on the DTI portfolio, looked forward to her new role in this “key” position.
“Coming from a business background will allow me to employ an approach pruning unwanted and outdated regulations and finding new ways to achieve the underlying goals,” she said.
Before being elected to parliament in 2005, Ms Kramer was a vice-president at Citibank, Chicago, as well as working on infrastructure projects in central and Eastern Europe.
And Lynne Featherstone was “absolutely delighted” to gain promotion to the front bench less than 20 months after being elected to parliament.
“Fast paced globalisation means that what happens in one part of the world, increasingly affects us all and the Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign for Britain to play a more constructive international role,” she said.
The Lib Dems said appointments to more junior positions would be announced at a later date.
