Major Shadow Cabinet | |
|---|---|
 Shadow cabinet of the United Kingdom | |
| May – June 1997 | |
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| Date formed | 2 May 1997 |
| Date dissolved | 19 June 1997 |
| People and organisations | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Leader of the Opposition | John Major |
| Deputy Leader of the Opposition | Michael Heseltine |
| Member party | |
| Status in legislature | Official Opposition 165 / 659 (25%) |
| History | |
| Election(s) | 1997 general election |
| Outgoing election | 1997 Conservative Party leadership election |
| Legislature term(s) | 52nd UK Parliament |
| Predecessor | Shadow Cabinet of Tony Blair |
| Successor | Shadow Cabinet of William Hague |
John Major was Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2 May 1997, following his defeat at the 1997 general election, until 19 June 1997, when William Hague was elected to succeed him. Following the defeat, Major announced his resignation as leader. But, for logistical reasons, a new leader could not be elected for several weeks. In the intervening period, Major appointed an interim Shadow Cabinet.
The Shadow Cabinet was based on Major's final Cabinet. However, as seven Cabinet Ministers had lost their seats in the general election and another had not contested his seat, there were several vacancies. These were largely filled by either Major himself or by a relevant minister in the outgoing Cabinet. The position of Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland was not filled as the Conservatives had lost all their Scottish MPs in the election. Michael Howard and William Hague were given joint responsibility for constitutional matters, including the brief to handle the Scottish and Welsh devolution[1] legislation.
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