 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (April 2011) |
| Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Style | Shadow Chancellor (informal) |
| Member of | Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet |
| Appointer | Leader of the Opposition |
| Inaugural holder | Rab Butler |
The shadow chancellor of the exchequer in the British Parliamentary system is the member of the Shadow Cabinet who is responsible for shadowing the chancellor of the exchequer. The title is given at the gift of the leader of the Opposition and has no formal constitutional role, but is generally considered the second-most senior position, unless a shadow deputy prime minister is chosen, on the opposition frontbench, after the leader. Past shadow chancellors include Harold Wilson, James Callaghan, Edward Heath, Geoffrey Howe, Kenneth Clarke, Gordon Brown, John McDonnell and Rachel Reeves.
The name for the position has a mixed history. It is used to designate the lead economic spokesman for the Opposition. The name 'Shadow Chancellor' has also been used for the corresponding position for the Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson.[1] This was a source of humour for Chancellor Gordon Brown, who in 2005 played the two off against one another in Parliament, saying, "I, too, have a great deal of time for the shadow chancellor who resides in Twickenham [Liberal Democrat Vince Cable], rather than the shadow chancellor for the Conservative Party."[2]
- ^ Parker, George (18 October 2014). "Alexander to replace Cable as LibDem shadow chancellor". Financial Times. London. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
- ^ Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons, Westminster (5 December 2005). "House of Commons Hansard Debates for 5 Dec 2005 (pt 8)". Publications.parliament.uk. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
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