Liberal Democrats Set To Reshuffle Top Team After Party Conference
2 min read
The Liberal Democrats will reshuffle their frontbench after their party conference in Bournemouth this weekend, senior party figures have told PoliticsHome.
The exact timing of the reshuffle is unknown, with leader Ed Davey’s team keeping a tight lid on the changes.
Among the most significant moves will be the expected departure of Josh Babarinde from his role as the party’s justice spokesperson. Babarinde is currently running for president of the Liberal Democrats — a senior internal party post — and is widely expected to win with a commanding majority.
The presidency, once held by Tim Farron before his elevation to party leader, is traditionally seen as requiring a degree of neutrality. Babarinde will need to step aside from his position on the frontbench, leaving a significant post open.
Elsewhere, the party is expected to appoint a new women and equalities spokesperson after Christine Jardine was sacked from the role for defying the whip on the welfare vote earlier this year. Lisa Smart has been handling the equalities brief in an interim capacity since Jardine’s removal, but it is understood that a permanent appointment will be made in the coming reshuffle. Lib Dem sources tip Alex Brewer as a likely candidate for the role.
Sources say Smart, who recently stepped down as party chair, is expected to be given a sideways move out of the Home Affairs brief.
The reshuffle is also seen as an opportunity to promote more junior spokespeople and backbenchers who have impressed in recent months. Jess Brown-Fuller and Josh Reynolds are both viewed as rising stars and are thought likely to be rewarded with more prominent roles.
Anna Sabine — leader Ed Davey’s parliamentary private secretary — is also seen as a contender for promotion. Sabine recently lost an election to become party chair to Steff Aquarone, a contest some within the party viewed as a power play by Davey’s office.
Mike Martin has also bolstered his profile over the last year, speaking a lot on defence related issues as well as sitting on the defence select committee, and is understood to be in contention for a job.
Bobby Dean has also impressed in the whips office and could be given a more senior role.
Continuity will prevail in some key areas: deputy leader Daisy Cooper is expected to remain in the Treasury brief, as are Callum Miller in Foreign Affairs — seen as a “safe pair of hands” — and chief whip Wendy Chamberlain.
After publication a Liberal Democrat spokesperson told PoliticsHome: "We don't comment on these matters. This is pure speculation from someone clearly not in the loop."
