Harold Wilson James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, (11 March 1916 – 24 May 1995) was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from October 1964 to June 1970, and again from March 1974 to April 1976. He ...

of the Labour Party would form his Second Shadow Cabinet, as

Leader Leadership, both as a research area and as a practical skill, encompasses the ability of an individual, group or organization to "lead", influence or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. The word "leadership" often gets vi ...

of Her Majesty’s Most Loyal Opposition, after losing the 1970 general election to

Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization i ...

Edward Heath Sir Edward Richard George Heath (9 July 191617 July 2005), often known as Ted Heath, was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1970 to 1974 and Leader of the Conservative Party (UK), Leader of the Conserv ...

. He would retain leadership of the Opposition for the length of the

Heath Ministry Edward Heath of the Conservative Party formed the Heath ministry and was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by Queen Elizabeth II on 19 June 1970, following the 18 June general election. Heath's ministry ended after the February 19 ...

, from 1970 − 1974. In February 1974, his party would narrowly win an

election An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy has opera ...

. Wilson was then forced to form a

minority government A minority government, minority cabinet, minority administration, or a minority parliament is a government and Cabinet (government), cabinet formed in a parliamentary system when a political party or Coalition government, coalition of parties do ...

, which would only last until another election in October of that year. After that election, Wilson would form a

majority government A majority government is a government by one or more governing parties that hold an absolute majority of seats in a legislature. This is as opposed to a minority government, where the largest party in a legislature only has a plurality of seats. ...

Shadow Cabinet list

June 1970

Changes

1971

* James Callaghan replaces Barbara Castle as Shadow Secretary of State for Employment * Barbara Castle replaces Shirley Williams as Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Services * Shirley Williams replaces James Callaghan as Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department * Michael Foot replaces Fred Peart as Shadow Leader of the House of Commons * Fred Peart replaces Cledwyn Hughes as Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food *

Peter Shore Peter David Shore, Baron Shore of Stepney, (20 May 1924 – 24 September 2001) was a British Labour Party (UK), Labour Party politician and former UK Cabinet, Cabinet Minister, noted in part for his opposition to the United Kingdom's entry int ...

joins the shadow cabinet as Shadow Minister for Europe

1972

Reg Prentice Reginald Ernest Prentice, Baron Prentice, PC (16 July 1923 – 18 January 2001) was a British politician who held ministerial office in both Labour and Conservative Party governments. He was the most senior Labour figure ever to defect to the ...

joins the shadow cabinet, replacing James Callaghan as Shadow Employment Secretary * James Callaghan replaces Denis Healey as Shadow Foreign Secretary * Denis Healey replaces Roy Jenkins as Shadow Chancellor * Fred Peart replaces George Thomson as Shadow Defence Secretary * Edward Short replaces Roy Jenkins as Deputy Leader of the Opposition and takes Fred Peart’s former post, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons * Roy Jenkins is removed from the shadow cabinet * Michael Foot replaces Peter Shore as Shadow Europe Minister * Harold Lever replaces Tony Benn as Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary *

Merlyn Rees Merlyn Merlyn-Rees, Baron Merlyn-Rees, (né Merlyn Rees; 18 December 1920 – 5 January 2006) was a British Labour Party politician and Member of Parliament from 1963 until 1992. He served as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1974–197 ...

joins the shadow cabinet with a newly created post:

Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland The Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is a member of the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet (United Kingdom), British Shadow Cabinet responsible for the scrutiny of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and their department, th ...

* Barbara Castle is removed from the shadow cabinet

1973

* Roy Jenkins returns to the shadow cabinet, replacing Shirley Williams as Shadow Home Secretary * Shirley Williams takes the newly created post of Shadow Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection

References

* {{UK Labour Party British shadow cabinets Harold Wilson

Wilson Wilson may refer to: People * Wilson (name) ** List of people with given name Wilson ** List of people with surname Wilson * Wilson (footballer, 1927–1998), Brazilian manager and defender * Wilson (footballer, born 1984), full name Wilson Ro ...

Official Opposition (United Kingdom) 1970 establishments in the United Kingdom 1974 disestablishments in the United Kingdom 1970 in British politics