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Front bench dream team

(40 Posts)
daphnedill Wed 10-May-17 13:26:40

Imagine that there were a coalition government - a bit like the wartime National government.

Who would you have on your fornt bench - and why? It could be anybody from any current political party.

I'll start off with:

Norman Lamb (LD) - Health, because he really does care, particularly about mental health, and campaigns tirelessly.

Debbie Abrahams (Labour) - DWP, because she also cares and has worked with vulnerable people and knows what she's talking about.

daphnedill Wed 10-May-17 13:27:01

front bench (oops)

varian Wed 10-May-17 13:33:58

Nick Clegg (LD) Foreign secretary - speaks several languages, international experience, well respected abroad

daphnedill Wed 10-May-17 13:41:00

Snap! Was just thinking of Clegg.

nanaK54 Wed 10-May-17 13:59:53

May I put forward Ruth Davidson?

Not sure that I can explain why - I like her and she always seems to make a lot of sense in interviews

Beammeupscottie Wed 10-May-17 14:05:23

Ruth Davidson is cracking. Even my DH likes her who is usually scathing of Lesbians. She is aiming to give Wee Nicky a boot up the bum! really like her which worries me a bit!

kittylester Wed 10-May-17 14:08:06

I smile when Ruth Davidson comes on TV. She seems very down to earth and sensible. I echo the thoughts about Norman Lamb.

Anniebach Wed 10-May-17 14:08:31

Yvette Cooper. Lab. PM

Hilary Benn. Lab. Home Secretary

Clegg Lib. Foreign Secretary

Lamb Lib. Health secretary

Ben Bradshaw Lab. Housing

daphnedill Wed 10-May-17 14:16:58

Yeah! We have some consensus already!grin

Maybe we should have a Conservative, but I'm struggling.

Sarah Wollaston (Con) - Junior Health Minister, because she's an ex GP and is prepared to speak out.

gillybob Wed 10-May-17 14:27:25

Do they have to be politicians daphnedill?

I'm struggling.

Anniebach Wed 10-May-17 14:30:05

I had a struggle with the Libs, so few of them

daphnedill Wed 10-May-17 14:41:09

~lol~I'm struggling too! When I look at the current front benchers and shadow front bench, I don't think I'd want any of them.

OK, better change the rules. Preference given to MPs, but anybody will do.

PS.We could do with a few people who know about business and science.

daphnedill Wed 10-May-17 14:44:00

Well, we have two LibDems, which is nearly 25% of their MPs, so they're probably well represented. I'd make Paddy Ashdown a lord.

daphnedill Wed 10-May-17 14:45:33

Oh! He already is! Forget that!

angelab Wed 10-May-17 14:55:07

I say get Alan Sugar in to run the NHS!!

Anniebach Wed 10-May-17 15:02:44

Daphne, I have no idea who the shadow cabinet are with the exception of McDonald, Abbott and Thornbury

Ana Wed 10-May-17 15:04:02

And we don't want any of them in our Dream Team!

daphnedill Wed 10-May-17 15:17:08

Keir Starmer is in the Shadow Cabinet - I'd have him.

angelab Wed 10-May-17 15:22:40

I heard Caroline Lucas from the Greens the other day and thought she sounded v impressive - Environment?

Anniebach Wed 10-May-17 15:26:27

So true Ana, those three are a nightmare not a dream .

I am undecided about Starmer Daphne, we know little of him, he has only been a MP for two years

Frustrating, there are so many good labour MP's

Caroline Lucas - green. Environment

Anniebach Wed 10-May-17 15:27:17

Sorry Angelab, X posts

Ana Wed 10-May-17 15:27:52

I agree about Caroline Lucas, she'd be an asset.

Anniebach Wed 10-May-17 15:31:11

We haven't got education and chancellor sorted

angelab Wed 10-May-17 15:36:59

We can probably agree that we don't want Diane Abbott for anything!

gillybob Wed 10-May-17 15:37:06

Might she not go a bit too far though and either ban or tax to kingdom come anything with an engine or a chimney? The Greens are a bit too idealistic for me.