Shadow Cabinet: The New Generation

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Today is in many ways the toughest day of Ed Miliband’s leadership so far (potentially tougher than seeing his brother leave frontline politics at his own hand) as he begins to finalise his first and most important shadow cabinet. He must try to balance those who are his strongest supporters with those who openly backed other candidates. He must try to balance the top jobs between men and women. And most importantly, he needs to show that this is Labour’s “New Generation” that he spoke of at conference.

The signs are good so far though. Yvette Cooper topping the PLP ballot was no surprise. She’s the most popular woman in the PLP – if not the most popular person in the PLP full stop – and will certainly be rewarded with the top-tier role she deserves. Much discussion has taken place already as to whether she (or her husband) will get the shadow chancellor brief. Either would perform well and bring different strengths to the role, but after this show of popularity in the PLP, it may well be Yvette’s if she wants it.

Most people expected Ed Balls and Andy Burnham to fill the 2nd and 3rd place slots in the shadow cabinet vote (and I was certainly no exception) – so it will have been a surprise to many that John Healey performed so well (in an Ed Balls supporting 1-2-3). I tipped him to outperform expectations yesterday, but I must admit he vastly exceeded what I thought was possible. With the benefit of hindsight though, John is a popular, hard-working MP who seems to be genuinely liked and respected across the PLP. In many ways he is “the MP’s MP” Now this affable and immensely likeable man needs to go out and show the country (most of whom have never heard of him) what the PLP has seen over the past decade. I fully expect the country to take to him as well.

Lower down the list there’s a good mix of what Labour needs to form a strong shadow cabinet team. Alan Johnson will be a calm and experienced older head amongst the new faces around the shadow cabinet table. Both Eagle sisters bring wide-ranging policy strengths (and another family) to the group. David Miliband’s Scottish lieutenants Douglas Alexander and Jim Murphy are different characters, but both were confident and capable ministers and should be rewarded with big roles as part of the growing unity between former Mili-camps. From Ed’s supporters Denham, Khan and Benn, expect all to take on high profile positions – perhaps with Khan coming out on top as Ed’s closest advisor amongst the parliamentary party.

Considered as a team, the shadow cabinet has the potential to be the well-rounded package that Labour needs to move forward and win the next general election, with a good mix of newer and older faces, a good gender balance, and views from across the party. This is a “new generation” cabinet, and as shadow cabinet positions become clear over the coming days, Ed Miliband needs to show off some new faces whilst successfully managing this a balancing act. It’s going to be an interesting few days, and we’ll be following every move on LabourList.