Shadow Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom explained

Post:Shadow Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Incumbent:Sir Oliver Dowden
Incumbentsince:5 July 2024
Department:Shadow Cabinet
Appointer:Leader of the Opposition
Formation:6 December 2005
First:William Hague
Website:Shadow Cabinet

The Shadow Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is a position in the United Kingdom's Shadow Cabinet that was created on 6 December 2005 by the then-Leader of the Opposition, David Cameron for his shadow cabinet. From 2005 to 2010, the office was known as Senior Member of the Shadow Cabinet, and from 2015 to 2023, the office was known as Shadow First Secretary of State, and from 2010 to 2015 and again from 2023 to 2024, the office was known as Shadow Deputy Prime Minister.

Even though the role has no specific responsibilities attached to it, the holder of the position shadows the First Secretary of State and/or Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and deputises for the Leader of the Opposition in Prime Minister's Questions when the First Secretary or Deputy PM is deputising for the Prime Minister.[1] The position is currently vacant after Angela Rayner, the most recent officeholder, became Deputy Prime Minister in July 2024. Oliver Dowden currently serves as Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

List of Shadow Deputy Prime Ministers

Senior Member of the Shadow Cabinet

Senior MemberTerm of OfficePolitical PartyLeader of the Opposition
William Hague6 December 200511 May 2010ConservativeDavid Cameron

Shadow Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Shadow Deputy Prime MinisterTerm of OfficePolitical PartyLeader of the Opposition
Jack Straw
Acting
11 May 2010 25 September 2010LabourHarriet Harman
Harriet Harman7 October 20108 May 2015LabourEd Miliband

Shadow First Secretary of State

Shadow First SecretaryTerm of OfficePolitical PartyLeader of the Opposition
Hilary Benn
Acting
11 May 201513 September 2015LabourHarriet Harman
Angela Eagle13 September 201527 June 2016LabourJeremy Corbyn
Office not in use from June 2016 to June 2017.
Emily Thornberry14 June 20175 April 2020LabourJeremy Corbyn
Angela Rayner9 April 20204 September 2023LabourKeir Starmer

Shadow Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Shadow Deputy Prime MinisterTerm of OfficePolitical PartyLeader of the Opposition
Angela Rayner4 September 20235 July 2024LabourKeir Starmer

Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Deputy LeaderTerm of OfficePolitical PartyLeader of the Opposition
! style="background-color: " Oliver Dowden5 July 2024PresentConservativeRishi Sunak

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Brexit: Green and Thornberry Prime Minister's Questions clash. 12 July 2017. BBC News Online.