Sir Menzies Campbell unveils first Shadow Cabinet appointments

5.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 6th Mar 2006

Sir Menzies Campbell MP, leader of the Liberal Democrats, today announced six appointments to his new Shadow Cabinet. Nick Clegg MP joins the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Home Secretary. Julia Goldsworthy MP joins the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Michael Moore MP is promoted to Shadow Foreign Secretary. Chris Huhne MP, runner-up in the leadership election, becomes Shadow Environment Secretary.

Steve Webb MP is reappointed as Shadow Health Secretary. Vince Cable MP is reappointed as Shadow Chancellor. Norman Lamb MP was confirmed as Chief of Staff at the party's Spring conference at the weekend.

Commenting, Sir Menzies said "I'm delighted to be able to unveil these appointments. We have the brightest political generation in our ranks and I'm relishing the opportunity to lead them. Nick and Julia will be formidable additions to the Shadow Cabinet. Our new team will be more than a match for the government and the Conservatives."

"Over the coming days and weeks, I will be signposting the way towards a liberal Britain. I have said we need to challenge orthodoxy. We need new thinking and fresh ideas. In a whole range of areas - the environment, civil liberties, Britain's place on the international stage and tackling poverty - only the Liberal Democrats can provide the fresh thinking we need."

"The managerial politics of both New Labour and the Conservatives mean there is a greater need than ever for a value-based, principled and ambitious alternative. We are determined to provide exactly that."