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Jeremy Corbyn extends olive branch to critics as he makes 20 appointments to shadow cabinet

Jeremy Corbyn has brought critics in from the cold (Rex)
Jeremy Corbyn has brought critics in from the cold (Rex)

Jeremy Corbyn has made 20 new appointments to Labour’s shadow front bench, including of six MPs who quit during last summer’s revolt.

The veteran politician is looking to secure his position as Labour leader after his better-than-expected performance in June’s General Election, when a hung parliament was forced despite polls forecasting a Conservative landslide.

Among the appointments are Gloria de Piero, the Ashfield MP who quit as the shadow cabinet in June last year, and Rachael Maskell, the York Central MP who quit as shadow environment secretary over the article 50 vote in February.

Louise Haigh, the Sheffield Heeley MP, who last year backed the “no confidence” motion on Corbyn’s leadership, also returns, as does Nick Thomas, the Symonds–Torfaen MP, who resigned in June last year following the EU referendum.

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Roberta Blackman Woods, the city of Durham MP who resigned in June last year but returned to the shadow housing team in the autumn, is also in the cabinet.

Last year, Woods told Mr Corbyn: “I no longer have confidence in you as a leader who can display the attributes listed above and enable us to win a General Election”.

“You could, and should, have shown more decisive and visionary leadership and your failure to step down means that I must”, she added.

Ex-Coronation Street actress Tracy Brabin has been appointed as a shadow education minister, with responsibility for early years provision.

Chris Williamson has been given the role of shadow fire services minister while former Manchester police commissioner Tony Lloyd has become housing spokesman.

Three shadow ministers were sacked last week while three more resigned after Mr Corbyn demanded they abstain from a Brexit vote.

Mr Corbyn already had gaps to fill following resignations last summer, which prompted a failed challenge to his leadership, and February’s vote on Article 50.

“I’m delighted to be filling Labour’s shadow front bench with a wealth of talent. Our new shadow ministers will bolster the excellent work of Labour’s shadow cabinet and departmental teams,” Mr Corbyn said.

“These appointments are further evidence that Labour is not just the opposition – we are the government in waiting.”

The appointments in full are:

Environment
David Drew
Holly Lynch

Home Affairs
Nick Thomas Symonds
Chris Williamson
Afzal Khan
Louise Haigh

Scotland
Paul Sweeney

Justice
Gloria de Piero
Imran Hussain

International Development
Roberta Blackman Woods

Transport
Rachael Maskell
Karl Turner

Treasury
Anneliese Dodds

Housing
Tony Lloyd
Melanie Onn

Women and equalities
Carolyn Harris

Defence
Gerald Jones

Local Government
Yvonne Fovargue

Education
Tracy Brabin

Wales
Chris Ruane