What does Ed Miliband's shadow cabinet tell us about his direction?

[Undesired Walrus]

Leader of the Opposition Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP

Deputy Leader and Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Rt Hon Harriet Harman MP

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Minister for Women and Equalities Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP

Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department Rt Hon Ed Balls MP

Chief Whip Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Election Coordinator Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP

Shadow Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Justice (with responsibility for political and constitutional reform) Rt Hon Sadiq Khan MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Rt Hon John Denham MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Health Rt Hon John Healey MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Defence Rt Hon Jim Murphy

Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Meg Hillier MP

Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Maria Eagle MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Mary Creagh MP

Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Angela Eagle MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Rt Hon Shaun Woodward MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Ann McKechin MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Rt Hon Peter Hain MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Ivan Lewis MP

Shadow Leader of the House of Lords Rt Hon Baroness Royall of Blaisdon

Shadow Minister for the Olympics Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP

Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP

Lords Chief Whip Rt Hon Lord Bassam of Brighton

Shadow Attorney-General Rt Hon Baroness Scotland

A surprise move to put Johnson in as Shadow Chancellor, given his admission that he has little experience in economics. I'm not sure whether this is a brilliant move by Miliband - having a former postman as a chancellor who grew up in a council flat against the incredibly wealthy Gideon- or a complete disaster -passing over experienced economists such as Cooper and Balls.

Interesting appointments yesterday were Chuka Umunna -31 years old and only an MP since May- as Miliband's PPS, and Rushanara Ali -also only an MP since May- as Harman's PPS.

It's reassuring to see half the shadow cabinet now women. Stands in contrast to the Tory front bench which resembles a dinner party after the wives have gone upstairs.

 

[Cuddles]

A surprise move to put Johnson in as Shadow Chancellor, given his admission that he has little experience in economics. I'm not sure whether this is a brilliant move by Miliband - having a former postman as a chancellor who grew up in a council flat against the incredibly wealthy Gideon- or a complete disaster -passing over experienced economists such as Cooper and Balls.

Given how well experienced economists have done recently, it's hard to see how he could be any more of a disaster. And even if that's not at all fair to the experienced economists that's certainly what a lot of people will think, so probably a good move for the party even if not for the economy.

It's reassuring to see half the shadow cabinet now women.

I was going to make a comment about it only being reassuring if half of Labour MPs are women to start with. Having looked it up, it seems that actually is the case (95/191 if I counted correctly), so looks like it is reassuring.

 

[Soapy Sam]

In what sense is it reassuring?

 

[little grey rabbit]

The electoral cycle is so long in Britain it probably doesnt matter.

Given the Conservatives will be able to say Labor left the accounts in such a mess, they should be able to take the next election in 2015. By 2020 there will be a different Labor leader.

 

[geni]

A surprise move to put Johnson in as Shadow Chancellor, given his admission that he has little experience in economics. I'm not sure whether this is a brilliant move by Miliband - having a former postman as a chancellor who grew up in a council flat against the incredibly wealthy Gideon- or a complete disaster -passing over experienced economists such as Cooper and Balls.

I think that was more of a "not risking another blair brown situation".

 

[Undesired Walrus]

In what sense is it reassuring?

It's good to have a front bench that reflects the country it seeks to represent.

 

[Cuddles]

In what sense is it reassuring?

In the sense that sexism is generally a bad thing. Given that these are the people who are supposed to represent the people and rule the country, it's nice to see that they actually seem to be making headway in regards to gender equality.

 

[Undesired Walrus]

I thought Miliband put in a great performance at PMQ's. The highlight was when he (A long used trick in PMQ's I admit) used Cameron's quote on keeping child benefit back before the election against him, pausing after every sentence in order to allow the party to audibly mock Cameron. Very theatrical.

See it here: