Ed Davey unveils new Lib Dem frontbench team to champion “the people’s priorities”

1 Oct 2024

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has announced his new frontbench, as he calls on his party to champion the “people’s priorities” and “clean up the mess left by the Conservative government.”

The new frontbench announcement follows Ed Davey’s conference speech, where he set out the Liberal Democrat plan to be a “constructive opposition” holding the new government to account. Davey unveils his new team of spokespeople after the party won 72 seats at the general election, becoming the largest third party in the House of Commons in a hundred years.

Daisy Cooper remains as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, but will also now become the party’s Treasury Spokesperson, where she will focus on the cost-of-living crisis and holding the Government to account as it clears up the terrible economic mess left by the Conservative Party.

Helen Morgan, who became MP for North Shropshire in a historic by-election victory in 2021, now leads on Health and Social Care, the number one priority for the party that is championing access to GPs and dentists as well as support for unpaid carers.

The Liberal Democrats will have a renewed focus on Scotland and Wales ahead of general elections there in 2026, with senior parliamentarian Christine Jardine as the party’s Scotland Spokesperson, leading on taking the fight to the SNP from Westminster. Newly elected MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick will be Wales Spokesperson.

A wave of new Liberal Democrat MPs have been appointed to the frontbench, including Lisa Smart as Home Affairs Spokesperson and Calum Miller as Foreign Affairs Spokesperson.

The Liberal Democrats have also increased their influence in parliament with Layla Moran, Alistair Carmichael and Jamie Stone becoming Select Committee Chairs and therefore stepping back from their former spokesperson roles.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey said:

“My new frontbench will champion the people’s priorities, ensuring we hold the new government to account as a responsible opposition.

“I am humbled by the result of the General Election and the millions of voters who put their trust in the Liberal Democrats, including many for the first time. We will stand up for our communities every day on the issues that matter most, fixing health and care services, tackling the cost of living crisis and protecting our precious environment.

“I am so proud of my entire team of 72 Liberal Democrat MPs who will serve as strong local champions in Westminster as we clean up the mess left by the Conservative government.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Liberal Democrat Commons Frontbench Team:

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey MP

Deputy Leader and Treasury Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP

Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain MP

Health and Social Care Spokesperson Helen Morgan MP

Education, Children and Families Spokesperson Munira Wilson MP

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Spokesperson Tim Farron MP

Cabinet Office Spokesperson Sarah Olney MP

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Calum Miller MP

Home Affairs Spokesperson Lisa Smart MP

Women and Equalities and Scotland Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP