Major shadow cabinet
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 legislation.
Shadow Cabinet list
Changes from final Cabinet- Malcolm Rifkind lost his seat and was replaced by Major himself, who had previously been Foreign Secretary in 1989.
- Michael Portillo lost his seat and was replaced by Major himself
- Roger Freeman lost his seat and was replaced by Deputy leader Michael Heseltine.
- Ian Lang lost his seat and was replaced by Heseltine, who had previously held the role between 1992 and 1995.
- Tony Newton lost his seat and was replaced by Chief Whip Alastair Goodlad.