Second Shadow Cabinet of Harold Wilson explained

Cabinet Name:Second Shadow Cabinet of Harold Wilson
Cabinet Type:Shadow Cabinet
Jurisdiction:the United Kingdom
Flag Border:true
Incumbent:19701974
Date Formed:19 June 1970
Date Dissolved:4 March 1974
Government Head Title:Leader of the Opposition
Government Head:Harold Wilson
Other Government Minister Title:Shadow Deputy Prime Minister
State Head Title:Monarch
State Head:Elizabeth II
Election:1970 United Kingdom general election
Legislature Term:45th UK Parliament
Previous:First Shadow Cabinet of Edward Heath
Successor:Second Shadow Cabinet of Edward Heath
Deputy Government Head:Roy Jenkins (1970-72)
Edward Short (1972-74)
Deputy Government Head Title:Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Harold Wilson of the Labour Party formed his Second Shadow Cabinet as Leader of Her Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition after losing the 1970 general election to Conservative Edward Heath. He retained leadership of the Opposition for the length of the Heath Ministry from 1970 to 1974. In February 1974, his party narrowly won an election. Wilson was then forced to form a minority government that lasted only until another election in October of that year. Following that election, Wilson formed a majority government.

Shadow Cabinet list

June 1970

PortfolioShadow MinisterTerm
Leader of Her Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition
Leader of the Labour Party
The Rt Hon. Harold Wilsonnowrap 1970 – 1974
Deputy Leader of the OppositionThe Rt Hon. Roy Jenkinsnowrap 1970 – 1972
The Rt Hon. Edward Shortnowrap 1972 – 1974
Shadow Chancellor of the ExchequerThe Rt Hon. Roy Jenkins1970 – 1972
The Rt Hon. Denis Healey1972 – 1974
Shadow Foreign Secretarynowrap 1970 – 1972
The Rt Hon. James Callaghan1972 – 1974
Shadow Home Secretarynowrap 1970 – 1971
Shirley Williams1971 – 1973
The Rt Hon. Roy Jenkins1973 – 1974
Shadow Secretary of State for EmploymentThe Rt Hon. Barbara Castlenowrap 1970 – 1971
The Rt Hon. James Callaghan1971 – 1972
The Rt Hon. Reg Prentice1972 – 1974
Shadow Leader of the House of CommonsThe Rt Hon. Fred Peartnowrap 1970 – 1971
The Rt Hon. Michael Foot1971 – 1972
The Rt Hon. Edward Short1972 – 1974
Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Sciencenowrap 1970 – 1972
Unknown1972 – 1973
The Rt Hon. Roy Hattersley1973 – 1974
Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and IndustryThe Rt Hon. Tony Bennnowrap 1970 – 1972
The Rt Hon. Harold Levernowrap 1972 – 1974
Shadow Secretary of State for the EnvironmentThe Rt Hon. Anthony Croslandnowrap 1970 – 1974
Shadow Secretary of State for DefenceThe Rt Hon. George Thomsonnowrap 1970 – 1972
The Rt Hon. Fred Peartnowrap 1972 – 1974
Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social ServicesShirley Williamsnowrap 1970 – 1971
The Rt Hon. Barbara Castlenowrap 1971 – 1972
John Silkinnowrap 1972 - 1974
Shadow Secretary of State for ScotlandThe Rt Hon. William Rossnowrap 1970 – 1974
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern IrelandThe Rt Hon. Merlyn Reesnowrap 1972 – 1974
Leader of the Opposition in the House of LordsThe Rt Hon.The Lord Shackleton PCnowrap 1970 – 1974
Opposition Chief Whip in the House of CommonsThe Rt Hon. Bob Mellishnowrap 1970 – 1974
Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodThe Rt Hon. Cledwyn Hughesnowrap 1970 – 1971
Shadow Minister of PowerMichael Footnowrap 1970 – 1971
Shadow Minister for EuropeThe Rt Hon. Harold Levernowrap 1970 – 1971
Peter Shorenowrap 1971 – 1972
Michael Footnowrap 1972 – 1974

Changes

1971

1972

1973

See also