James Callaghan became Leader of the Opposition on 4 May 1979 after losing the 1979 election and remained in that office until Michael Foot was elected Leader of the Labour Party on 2 October 1980. Callaghan named his Shadow Cabinet in June 1979, with Foot (the Deputy Leader) and the 12 elected members of the Shadow Cabinet assigned portfolios on 14 June[1] and further appointments made on 18 June.[2] From the opening of Parliament until that date, Callaghan's Cabinet, with a few exceptions, stayed on to shadow their former positions.
Callaghan Shadow Cabinet
| |
|---|---|
 Shadow Cabinet of the United Kingdom | |
| 1979 – 1980 | |
 | |
| Date formed | 4 May 1979 |
| Date dissolved | 10 November 1980 |
| People and organisations | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Leader of the Opposition | James Callaghan |
| Deputy Leader of the Opposition | Michael Foot |
| Member party | |
| Status in legislature | Official Opposition
269 / 635 (42%)
|
| History | |
| Election | 1979 United Kingdom general election |
| Legislature terms | 48th UK Parliament |
| Predecessor | Shadow Cabinet of Margaret Thatcher |
| Successor | Shadow Cabinet of Michael Foot |
Callaghan assigned portfolios in June 1979 to the Deputy Leader and the 12 winners in the 1979 Shadow Cabinet elections.[n 1]