Labour has named Nottingham East MP Chris Leslie as its new shadow chancellor following the defeat of Ed Balls at last week’s election.
Leslie steps up from his previous role as shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, in which he opposed Liberal Democrat Danny Alexander.
Having previously represented the Yorkshire constituency of Shipley from 1997, Leslie lost out to Conservative Philip Davies in 2005, and returned to Parliament in 2010, since which he has been a constant part of Labour’s shadow Treasury.
The new Labour shadow Cabinet has been constructed by acting leader Harriet Harman following the resignation of Ed Miliband in the aftermath of the election.
The Cabinet sees Leslie replaced as shadow chief secretary by Shabana Mahmood, who steps up from her previous role as shadow exchequer secretary to the Treasury, with a responsibility for tax and growth policy.
At the same time, Rachel Reeves retains her remit for Work and Pensions, while Emma Reynolds is promoted from her role as shadow housing minister to take on a broader role as shadow secretary of state for communities and local government.
