Islington MP promoted to shadow cabinet

An Islington MP was promoted today (Friday) and now sits on the shadow cabinet.

Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury, was given the prestigious post of shadow attorney general in the Labour cabinet reshuffle after the incumbent, Lady Scotland, resigned.

Ms Thornberry, who is a trained barrister who practised for 20 years, will now be responsible for advising the opposition on the legality of proposed policies, as her opposite number Dominic Grieve QC does for the coalition.

Ms Thornberry narrowly missed out on a cabinet post in last year’s reshuffle.

She said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be honest with you. I went to see Ed Miliband this morning and he gave me the news.

“I will be analysing policies and making sure everyone is aware of the legal impact. I will also check people are being properly represented legally, for example women in the family courts. With the cutting of legal aid at the moment these are very difficult times.”

Ms Thornberry said she wasn’t sure how much extra work she was in for in her new role.

“I don’t know how busy I will be yet. I have to say social care was a rather large brief anyway, but it’s early days. I am sure I will find out.

“But its great to be in the shadow cabinet and part of the longer term strategy of the Labour party.”