Lib Dem election team announced

1.08.00pm GMT Thu 8th Jan 2009

Nick Clegg has announced his team for the next general election.

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg today announced his team for the next general election. He said: "I am proud to lead the best front-bench team in British politics, a team which has consistently been ahead of the curve on the big debates that matter to the British people.

"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."

The new roles are:

• Simon Hughes Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

• Steve Webb Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

• David Heath Shadow Leader of the House.

• Jenny Willott Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

• David Howarth Shadow Secretary of State for Justice.

Susan Kramer has chosen to leave the shadow cabinet to take up a new role leading the party's campaign against the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

Nick Clegg is creating an economic recovery group to co-ordinate the party's ongoing response to the recession. He has also asked Lynne Featherstone to oversee the party's online campaigning as Chair of the New Technology Board.

John Sharkey, the Leader's adviser on strategic communications, is appointed Deputy Chair of the General Election campaign. He will work closely with Lord Rennard, Chair of the General Election campaign, and Chris Fox, the party's new Director of Policy and Communications.

Lord Wallace of Tankerness, former Deputy First Minister of Scotland, has been appointed to advise on the party's engagement with senior civil servants.

The full membership of the economic recovery group is:

• Nick Clegg Leader (Chair).

• Vince Cable Shadow Chancellor.

• Steve Webb Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary.

• John Thurso Shadow Business Secretary.

• Jeremy Browne Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

• Julia Goldsworthy Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary.

• Stephen Williams Shadow Innovation, Universities and Skills Secretary.

• Lorely Burt Small Business Spokesperson.

• David Laws Shadow Education Secretary.

• Chris Huhne Shadow Home Secretary.

• Danny Alexander manifesto co-ordinator.