New Zealand political leader

Jim McLay Sir James Kenneth McLay (born 21 February 1945) is a New Zealand diplomat and former politician. He served as the ninth deputy prime minister of New Zealand from 15 March to 26 July 1984. McLay was also Leader of the National Party and Leader ...

assembled a "shadow cabinet" system amongst the National caucus following his election to the position of Leader of the Opposition in 1984. He composed this of individuals who acted for the party as spokespeople in assigned roles while he was Leader of the Opposition (1984–86). McLay was plagued by interference from previous leader

Robert Muldoon Sir Robert David Muldoon (; 25 September 19215 August 1992) was a New Zealand politician who served as the 31st Prime Minister of New Zealand, from 1975 to 1984, while leader of the National Party. Serving as a corporal and sergeant in th ...

, who was denied a place on National's frontbench which he desired, unlike McLay who wished him to retire to the backbenches as an 'elder statesmen'. As the National Party formed the largest party not in government at the time, the frontbench team was as a result the

Official Opposition Parliamentary opposition is a form of political opposition to a designated government, particularly in a Westminster-based parliamentary system. This article uses the term ''government'' as it is used in Parliamentary systems, i.e. meaning ''th ...

of the

New Zealand House of Representatives The House of Representatives is the sole chamber of the New Zealand Parliament. The House passes Law of New Zealand, laws, provides Ministers of the New Zealand Government, ministers to form Cabinet of New Zealand, Cabinet, and supervises the ...

List of shadow ministers

Frontbench teams

The list below contains a list of McLays's shadow ministers and their respective roles. McLay initially retained the lineup he inherited from previous leader Sir

when he became leader in November 1984. The only changes made were Muldoon relinquishing the Finance portfolio which was given to

John Falloon John Howard Falloon (17 February 1942 – 4 October 2005) was a New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1977 to 1996, representing the New Zealand National Party, National Party in the Pahiatua (New Zealand electorate), Pahiatua electorate. ...

January 1985

McLay announced his first shadow cabinet in January 1985.

August 1985

McLay reshuffled his shadow cabinet in August 1985 to accommodate

Maurice McTigue Maurice Patrick McTigue (born 1940, in Methven) is a former New Zealand politician of the National Party. He was a Cabinet Minister in the Fourth National Government from 1990 to 1993, holding the Employment portfolio, among others. He repres ...

, after he won the Timaru by-election, and reflect Rob Talbot who had requested not to have a portfolio as he intended to retire at the next election.

February 1986

McLay announced a major reshuffle in February 1986. He demoted Muldoon and Merv Wellington to the lowest and third lowest rankings for disloyalty and also promoted several MPs to the frontbench at the expense of Bill Birch and

George Gair George Frederick Gair (13 October 1926 – 17 August 2015) was a New Zealand politician. He was once deputy leader of the National Party in the New Zealand Parliament, and was considered by many to be a possible contender for the leadership it ...

, which would cause destabilization in the caucus.

Notes

References

* {{NZ National Party New Zealand National Party McLay, Jim 1984 in New Zealand 1984 establishments in New Zealand 1986 disestablishments in New Zealand