Corbyn reveals most female front bench ever

WOMEN make up the majority of Labour’s front bench for the first time in the party’s history after Jeremy Corbyn unveiled his shadow cabinet yesterday.

Labour’s top team now includes 16 women and 15 men, including Angela Eagle, who becomes shadow first secretary of state.

The role will see her take on Chancellor George Osborne at Prime Minister’s Questions when David Cameron is away.

The defence, education and health portfolios — all previously held by men — were handed to Maria Eagle, Lucy Powell and Heidi Alexander respectively.

“We have delivered a unifying, dynamic, inclusive new shadow cabinet, which for the first time ever has a majority of women,” said Mr Corbyn after finalising his team following 24 hours of meetings.

He had been criticised early in the reshuffle for choosing men for three top roles.

John McDonnell is shadow chancellor, Andy Burnham becomes shadow home secretary, while Hilary Benn remains shadow foreign secretary.

The appointment of leftwinger Mr McDonnell, who chaired Mr Corbyn’s leadership campaign, was considered controversial by political pundits.

But the new shadow chancellor said: “I have got a long history in terms of financial administration.

“I was chancellor of the exchequer for London at the age of 29.

“My new policies, with Jeremy’s, have been roundly endorsed by the leadership election, so the economy would be safe in our hands but also it would be more prosperous.”

But Mr Corbyn overlooked many fellow left-wing MPs as he sought to unite the Labour Party’s different factions.

Lucy Powell, a close ally of former leader Ed Miliband, was made shadow education secretary, despite tweeting a month ago she had “never, ever met or spoken to” Mr Corbyn.

Owen Smith, who becomes shadow work and pensions secretary, is among nine senior supporters of Andy Burnham appointed.

And Chris Bryant and Vernon Coaker, who supported Yvette Cooper, also remain in the shadow cabinet despite differences with Mr Corbyn.

“The shadow cabinet is a strong combination of change and continuity that will now come together to hold this government to account, starting today with this pernicious Trade Union Bill,” Mr Corbyn said.

Jon Trickett, the only shadow cabinet member who nominated Mr Corbyn for the leadership, took questions on communities and local government just two hours after being handed the portfolio.