Shadow Cabinet of John Major

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.

Major Shadow Cabinet

Shadow Cabinet of the United Kingdom
MayJune 1997
Date formed2 May 1997
Date dissolved19 June 1997
People and organisations
MonarchElizabeth II
Leader of the OppositionJohn Major
Deputy Leader of the OppositionMichael Heseltine
Member party
  •   Conservative Party
Status in legislatureOfficial Opposition
History
Election(s)1997 general election
Outgoing election1997 Conservative Party leadership election
Legislature term(s)52rd UK Parliament
PredecessorShadow Cabinet of Tony Blair
SuccessorShadow Cabinet of William Hague

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
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 Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
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 James Mackay, 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

  • "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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