BRITAIN: Conservative leader Michael Howard yesterday appointed rising star George Osborne (34) as shadow chancellor in a significant shadow cabinet reshuffle.
And the former Tory foreign secretary, Malcolm Rifkind (58), who lost his Edinburgh seat in Labour's 1997 election landslide, is to return to the front benches as shadow work and pensions secretary. Other reported appointments include David Cameron (38) as shadow education secretary and Liam Fox moving from party co-chairman to the foreign affairs portfolio.
Oliver Letwin, who wanted to step down from the top shadow treasury job, is likely to move to shadow agriculture spokesman. David Willetts switches from the pensions portfolio to become shadow productivity, energy and industry secretary.
Mr Osborne said that despite the party's gains in the general election, there was still a lot of work to be done.
"We have got to face the fact that we only got 33 per cent of the vote," he told BBC Radio 4's PM programme. "We need to broaden the appeal and obviously the economic policy of the party is central to that."
Meanwhile, Francis Maude, who has "enjoyed" a roller-coaster political career, is entrusted with the key role of Conservative party chairman. He takes over this post as some senior figures in the party are calling for a review of policy.
Mr Maude, a man with strong Thatcherite credentials, who succeeds Liam Fox and Lord Saatchi, will be charged with restore the party's organisational and electoral capabilities. - (PA)