03 October 2003
The Liberal Democrats are to follow up their stunning Brent East by-election victory with a front bench reshuffle.
The Home Affairs, Cabinet Office, International Development, and Culture, Media and Sport posts will all be fronted by new faces after leader Charles Kennedy reshuffles his Cabinet, possibly as soon as next week.
Jenny Tonge (International Development), Nick Harvey (CMS) and Richard Allan (CO) are all standing down from their posts, and Simon Hughes's tenure as a LibDem Home Office spokesman could also end because of his bid for the job as London mayor.
One switch that will definitely happen is that Hughes will take over as the party's London spokesman from Carshalton & Wallington MP Tom Brake. This is to help avoid any confusion about who will speak for the party on London matters in the run-up to next year's mayoral elections.
The job was promised to Hughes after a recent policy get-together of the party's leading figures.
PFoct2003
