Simon Hughes moved to climate change in Clegg’s Lib Dem reshuffle

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The leader of the Liberal Democrats has reshuffled his frontbench team.

Nick Clegg has led the party for just over a year.

He declared that he now has his team for the next general election.

“I am proud to lead the best frontbench team in British politics, a team which has consistently been ahead of the curve on the big debates that matter to the British people,” he said.

“This team leaves the Liberal Democrats well placed to take the fight to both Labour and the Conservatives in the run-up to the General Election and to bring about the change that Britain needs.”

Veteran MP Simon Hughes is moved from shadowing the Leader of the House of Commons to Energy and Climate Change, where he will be shadowing Cabinet favourite Ed Miliband.

Mr Hughes came out as bisexual during his campaign for the party leadership in 2006.

Stephen Williams, the only out gay Lib Dem MP, stays in his post as Innovation, Universities and Skills spokesman.

Steve Webb becomes Lib Dem spokesman on Work and Pensions, David Heath will shadow the Leader of the House, Jenny Willott will shadow the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and David Howarth will shadow the Secretary of State for Justice.

Vince Cable, probably the best-known Lib Dem in Britain, remains in his role shadowing the Chancellor.

Mr Clegg’s rival in the 2007 leadership election, Chris Huhne, has not been moved from Home Affairs.

Susan Kramer is leaving the frontbench team to spend more time on a key constituency issue.

The party said she “has chosen to leave the shadow cabinet to take up a new role leading the party’s campaign against the expansion of Heathrow airport.”

Ms Kramer faces a challenge for the Richmond Park seat from Tory hopeful Zac Goldsmith at the next election. The Conservatives are confident they can overturn her 3,731 majority.

Equalities spokesperson Lynne Featherstone is to oversee the party’s online campaigning as Chair of the New Technology Board.

Conservative leader David Cameron is expected to reshuffle his Shadow Cabinet this month.

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