This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/06/nick-brown-labour-frontbench-return-chief-whip-rosie-winterton

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Nick Brown makes Labour frontbench return as chief whip Corbyn promotes Diane Abbott in shadow cabinet reshuffle
(about 1 hour later)
Rosie Winterton, the opposition chief whip who has been under immense pressure from Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters to step down, is to leave her post and be replaced by Gordon Brown’s former government fixer in a reshuffle of the shadow cabinet. Jeremy Corbyn has forced through his first major changes since being re-elected as Labour’s leader, appointing his allies Diane Abbott and Shami Chakrabarti to top jobs within the shadow cabinet.
Nick Brown, 66, is to return to Labour’s frontbench for the first time in six years. But in a dramatic move which has dismayed many MPs, Rosie Winterton, the opposition chief whip, is to leave her post, to be replaced by Gordon Brown’s former government fixer Nick Brown.
The Newcastle upon Tyne East MP held the post of chief whip under Brown between 2008 and 2010, during which time he earned a reputation as a political bruiser. Brown, the 66-year-old Newcastle upon Tyne East MP, held the post of chief whip under Brown between 2008 and 2010, during which time he earned a reputation as a political bruiser.
The appointment is believed to be the first move in a major reshuffle of the party after Corbyn’s re-election as leader last month. His appointment was the first move in a major reshuffle of the party following Corbyn’s re-election as leader last month.
Abbott, a friend of Corbyn whose constituency neighbours his own, has been promoted from being shadow health secretary to shadow home secretary.
Lady Chakrabarti, who was ennobled by Corbyn weeks after completing a controversial report on antisemitism within the party, has been confirmed as shadow attorney general.
Other appointments include Sarah Champion, who resigned as abuse prevention minister in July. She has returned to be shadow women and equalities minister.
Jo Stevens, the MP for Cardiff Central, has been given the post of shadow Welsh secretary.
Dawn Butler, the MP for Brent Central, has been given the job of shadow minister for black and minority ethnic communities. Butler said: “I am very proud that the Labour party now has five MPs in our shadow cabinet from the BAME community – the highest number ever in any cabinet or shadow cabinet.” The others are Abbott, Chakrabarti, the shadow defence minister, Clive Lewis, and the shadow international development minister, Kate Osamor.
In a carefully co-ordinated statement, Corbyn said: “I’d like to pay tribute to Rosie Winterton for her six years’ exceptional service as chief whip. She has played an outstanding role, both in her support for me a leader and the Labour party as a whole.”In a carefully co-ordinated statement, Corbyn said: “I’d like to pay tribute to Rosie Winterton for her six years’ exceptional service as chief whip. She has played an outstanding role, both in her support for me a leader and the Labour party as a whole.”
Winterton played a key role in negotiations between Corbyn and the parliamentary Labour party following his first leadership election victory. Winterton played a key role in negotiations between Corbyn and the parliamentary Labour party following his victory last month.
She said: “It has been an honour to have served as Labour’s chief whip for the past six years under three different leaders. I would like to thank the whips and the parliamentary Labour party for the support they have given me. I wish Nick Brown every success in his new role.” But she has been under pressure from Corbyn’s allies to stand down.
Brown decided not to stand again to be Labour’s chief whip in September 2010 after being told by the then incoming leader, Ed Miliband, that he would rather seek a new person. Winterton replaced him. Following her sacking, Labour MP Neil Coyle wrote on Twitter: “There were plenty of spaces to fill in shadow cabinet if Nick Brown wanted one. Sacking the unifying chief whip shows ‘reaching out’ meant nothing.”
In a statement, Winterton said: “It has been an honour to have served as Labour’s chief whip for the past six years under three different leaders. I would like to thank the whips and the parliamentary Labour party for the support they have given me. I wish Nick Brown every success in his new role.”
Brown decided not to stand again to be Labour’s chief whip in September 2010 after the then incoming leader, Ed Miliband, told him that he would rather seek a new person. Winterton replaced him.
Brown was Gordon Brown’s chief enforcer in the Commons from 2008 until the general election, having previously served as deputy chief whip after the departure of Tony Blair.Brown was Gordon Brown’s chief enforcer in the Commons from 2008 until the general election, having previously served as deputy chief whip after the departure of Tony Blair.
That was his second spell as chief whip, following a year in the job at the start of Labour’s time in office in 1997. He also served as a minister for agriculture, fisheries and food, the north-east, and work and pensions.That was his second spell as chief whip, following a year in the job at the start of Labour’s time in office in 1997. He also served as a minister for agriculture, fisheries and food, the north-east, and work and pensions.