1979 Labour Party Shadow Cabinet election


Elections to the Labour Party's [Official Opposition Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet (United Kingdom)|Shadow Cabinet (United Kingdom)|Shadow Cabinet] occurred on 14 June 1979, following the Party's fall from power at the May general election that year. In addition to the 12 members elected, the Leader, [Deputy Leader of the Labour Party (UK)|Leader of the Labour Party (UK)|Deputy Leader], Labour Chief Whip, Labour Leader in the House of Lords, and Chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party were automatically members.
Tony Benn, who had been Secretary of State for Energy in the outgoing Callaghan ministry did not seek election to the Shadow Cabinet as he opted to return to the back benches "for the time being".
The 12 winners of the election are listed below:
Rank
Candidate
Constituency
Votes
1Denis HealeyLeeds East153
2John SilkinLewisham Deptford148
3Peter ShoreStepney and Poplar136
4Roy HattersleyBirmingham Sparkbrook133
5Eric VarleyChesterfield129
6Stan OrmeSalford West128
7Albert BoothBarrow and Furness122
8Bill RodgersStockton-on-Tees112
9Merlyn ReesLeeds South110
10David OwenPlymouth Devonport101
11Roy MasonBarnsley98
12John SmithNorth Lanarkshire88