The list that follows is the Liberal Democrats frontbench team led by Paddy Ashdown, who was party leader from 1988 to 1999. Initially known as a frontbench team, the Lib Dems began to refer to their Frontbench Team as a "Shadow Cabinet" during the leadership of Ashdown's successor, Charles Kennedy, although the use of the term is controversial.
Liberal Democrat Frontbench team
Leader of the Liberal Democrats - Paddy Ashdown
Deputy Leader with responsibility for the strategic direction of the Party in Parliament - Alan Beith Chief Whip and Shadow Leader of the House - Paul Tyler Deputy Whip - Andrew Stunell Whips - Edward Davey Donald Gorrie Adrian Sanders Party President - Robert Maclennan Agriculture and Rural Affairs - Charles Kennedy Food - Paul Tyler Fisheries - Andrew George Constitution - Robert Maclennan Spokesman for English Regions - Nick Harvey Scotland - Jim Wallace Wales - Richard Livsey Culture, Media and Sport/Civil Service - Robert Maclennan Arts and Broadcasting - Robert Maclennan Tourism - Ronnie Fearn Sport - Nigel Jones Disabled People - Paul Burstow Education and Employment - Don Foster Nursery Education and Schools; Labour market statistics - Don Foster Further, higher and adult education - Phil Willis Employment and training - Paul Keetch Environment and Transport - Matthew Taylor Norman Baker Tom Brake Sir Robert Smith Andrew Stunell Foreign Affairs, Defence and Europe - Menzies Campbell Foreign and Commonwealth, Europe and Defence - Menzies Campbell Defence - Mike Hancock Europe - David Heath International Development - Jenny Tonge Health - Simon Hughes Future of the NHS - Simon Hughes Public Health - Peter Brand NHS Staff, organisation and planning - Evan Harris Home and Legal Affairs - Alan Beith Home Affairs - Alan Beith Community relations and urban affairs - Richard Allan Legal Affairs (Attorney General; Solicitor General; Lord Chancellor) - John Burnett Bob Russell Local Government and Housing - Paul Burstow Local Government (Social Services and Community Care) - Paul Burstow Local Council Liaison - Paul Burstow Jackie Ballard Adrian Sanders Trade and Industry - David Chidgey Employment, Social Chapter and Minimum Wage - David Chigley Science and Technology - David Chigley Competition - Nigel Jones Small Business - Colin Breed Brian Cotter Treasury - Malcolm Bruce Edward Davey Vince Cable Wales - Richard Livsey Lembit Opik Women - Jackie Ballard Young People - Lembit Opik

Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords
Leader in the Lords - The Lord Jenkins of Hillhead
Chief Whip - The Lord Rodgers of Quarrybank
External links
Weekly Information Bulletin: 28 November 1998, www.parliament.uk
Ashdown
Politics of the United Kingdom
1990s in the United Kingdom
1988 establishments in the United Kingdom
1999 disestablishments in the United Kingdom
British shadow cabinets
1997 in British politics






