| Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union | |
|---|---|
Incumbent since 4 April 2020Abolished | |
| Appointer | Leader of the Opposition |
| Inaugural holder | Emily Thornberry |
| Formation | 20 July 2016 |
| Final holder | Keir Starmer |
| Abolished | 4 April 2020 |
| Website | The Shadow Cabinet |
In British politics, the Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, or informally Shadow Brexit Secretary,[1] was a position within the opposition's shadow cabinet that dealt with issues surrounding the UK's withdrawal from the European Union. The position was only ever a part of Jeremy Corbyn's Shadow Cabinet between 2016 and 2020.
Keir Starmer held the position between October 2016 and April 2020, although the position became unusual, as the Department for Exiting the European Union was abolished on 31 January 2020, so there was no Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union to shadow. The shadow Brexit secretary's position was formally abolished on 4 April 2020, following Starmer's election as leader of the Labour Party.
During the period when this position existed, several shadow ministers for Brexit also served in the opposition's shadow cabinet and often deputised for the Shadow Secretary of State.