Rachael Maskell to return to Labour front benches as five Yorkshire MPs appointed shadow ministers

York MP Rachael Maskell will return to Labour's front bench following a surprise shake up of Jeremy Corbyn's shadow ministerial team.
Rachael MaskellRachael Maskell
Rachael Maskell

Ms Maskell, who resigned as Shadow Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs secretary over the Article 50 vote earlier this year, will take up a new position as shadow transport minister.

She will be joined on the front benches by Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin, Halifax MP Holly Lynch, Bradford East MP Imran Hussain and Hull East MP Karl Turner.

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Meanwhile, the Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh has been moved from Labour’s shadow Department of Culture Media and Sport team to take up a 
role as a shadow Home Office minister.

Following the surge in Labour support in last month’s election, many hoped Mr Corbyn would use any reshuffles to reach out to the more moderate wings of the party. There was speculation that this could see former heavyweight like Hilary Benn, Yvette Cooper and Ed Miliband make a return to the Shadow Cabinet.

Mr Corbyn said the appointment of “a wealth of talent” to his front bench team was “further evidence that Labour is not just the opposition – we are the government in waiting”.