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
Shadow Cabinet, 1997–1999 PortfolioHolderLeader of the Liberal Democrats Paddy Ashdown Deputy Leader with responsibility for the strategic direction of the Party in Parliament Alan Beith Home Affairs Chief WhipShadow Leader of the House of CommonsPaul Tyler TreasuryMalcolm Bruce Foreign Affairs, Defence and EuropeMenzies Campbell Agriculture and Rural Affairs Charles Kennedy Party PresidentConstitutionCulture, Media and SportCivil Service Robert Maclennan Education and EmploymentDon Foster Environment and TransportMatthew Taylor HealthSimon Hughes Disabled PeopleLocal GovernmentPaul Burstow Social Security and WellfareDavid Rendel Trade and IndustryDavid Chidgey ScotlandJim Wallace WalesRichard Livsey Northern IrelandYoung PeopleLembit Opik WomenJackie Ballard Leader in the House of Lords Lord Rodgers of Quarrybank
Shadow Cabinet, c.1996–1997 PortfolioHolderLeader of the Liberal Democrats Paddy Ashdown Deputy Leader with responsibility for the strategic direction of the Party in Parliament Alan Beith Chief WhipShadow Leader of the House of CommonsArchy Kirkwood Treasury and Economic AffairsMalcolm Bruce Foreign Affairs, Defence and Overseas DevelopmentMenzies Campbell Justice and Home AffairsWalesAlex Carlile Education, Housing and Local GovernmentDon Foster EnvironmentMatthew Taylor Health and Social WellfareSimon Hughes National HeritagePresident of the Liberal DemocratsRobert Maclennan ScotlandJim Wallace Leader in the House of Lords Lord Jenkins of Hillhead
Roles by Department Sits in the House of CommonsSits in the House of LordsPrivy CounsellorShadow Cabinet full members in boldShadow Cabinet attendees in bold italics Whips officeChief Whip and Shadow Leader of the House of CommonsPaul TylerShadow Leader of the House of LordsLord Jenkins of Hillhead (until December 1997)Lord Rodgers of QuarrybankDeputy WhipAndrew StunellWhipsEd DaveyDonald GorrieAdrian Sanders Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Rural AffairsAgriculture & Rural AffairsCharles KennedyFoodPaul TylerFisheriesAndrew George ConstitutionConstitutionRobert MaclennanEnglish RegionsNick HarveyScotlandJim WallaceWales Richard LivseyNorthern IrelandLembit Opik Culture, Media and Sport and Civil ServiceArts & BroadcastingRobert MaclennanTourism Ronnie FearnSport Nigel Jones Education and EmploymentNursery Education & Schools; Labour market statisticsDon FosterFurther, higher and adult education Phil WillisEmployment and trainingPaul Keetch Environment and TransportEnvironment and TransportMatthew TaylorNorman BakerTom BrakeSir Robert SmithAndrew Stunell Foreign Affairs, Defence and EuropeForeign and Commonwealth, Europe and DefenceMenzies CampbellDefence Mike HancockEuropeDavid HeathInternational DevelopmentJenny Tonge HealthFuture of the NHSSimon HughesPublic HealthPeter BrandNHS Staff, organisation and planningEvan Harris Home and Legal AffairsHome Affairs Alan BeithCommunity relations and urban affairs Richard AllanAttorney GeneralJohn BurnettLord ChancellorBob Russell Local Government and HousingLocal Government (Social Services and Community Care)Paul BurstowLocal Council LiaisonJackie BallardHousingAdrian Sanders Social Security and WellfareSocial Security and WellfareDavid RendelSteve Webb Trade and IndustryEmployment, Social Chapter & Minimum WageDavid ChidgeyScience and TechnologyNigel JonesCompetition Colin BreedSmall BusinessBrian Cotter TreasuryTreasuryMalcolm BruceEd DaveyVince Cable ScotlandScotlandJim WallaceRay MichieDonald GorrieMichael Moore WalesWales Richard LivseyLembit Öpik (also Northern Ireland)
External links Weekly Information Bulletin: 28 November 1998, www.parliament.uk https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199697/cmwib/wb961026/oppo.htm