Second Shadow Cabinet of Harold Wilson

Harold Wilson of the Labour Party formed his Second Shadow Cabinet as Leader of Her Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition after losing the 1970 general election to Conservative Edward Heath. He retained leadership of the Opposition for the length of the Heath Ministry from 1970 to 1974. In February 1974, his party narrowly won an election. Wilson was then forced to form a minority government that lasted only until another election in October of that year. Following that election, Wilson formed a majority government.

1971

 * James Callaghan replaces Barbara Castle as Shadow Secretary of State for Employment
 * Barbara Castle replaces Shirley Williams as Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Services
 * Shirley Williams replaces James Callaghan as Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department
 * Michael Foot replaces Fred Peart as Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
 * Fred Peart replaces Cledwyn Hughes as Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
 * Peter Shore joins the shadow cabinet as Shadow Minister for Europe

1972

 * Reg Prentice joins the shadow cabinet, replacing James Callaghan as Shadow Employment Secretary
 * James Callaghan replaces Denis Healey as Shadow Foreign Secretary
 * Denis Healey replaces Roy Jenkins as Shadow Chancellor
 * Fred Peart replaces George Thomson as Shadow Defence Secretary
 * Edward Short replaces Roy Jenkins as Deputy Leader of the Opposition and takes Fred Peart’s former post, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
 * Roy Jenkins is removed from the shadow cabinet
 * Michael Foot replaces Peter Shore as Shadow Europe Minister
 * Harold Lever replaces Tony Benn as Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary
 * Merlyn Rees joins the shadow cabinet with a newly created post: Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
 * Barbara Castle is removed from the shadow cabinet

1973

 * Roy Jenkins returns to the shadow cabinet, replacing Shirley Williams as Shadow Home Secretary
 * Shirley Williams takes the newly created post of Shadow Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection