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(NEW) Jeremy Corbyn
Leader of the Labour Party
There is no doubt that Jeremy Corbyn’s election to Labour’s leadership has changed the political weather. He’s galvanised the Labour left in a way no one has since Tony Benn or Ken Livingstone. But can he stick to his principles agenda without compromising Labour’s chances of electoral success? -
(+6) Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister of Scotland
She’s taken to power like a duck to water and she’s without doubt the first lady of the left in the UK. Her popularity in Scotland is unchallenged and many in England wish they could vote for her. After next May’s elections she’s likely to be even more powerful. -
(+32) Tom Watson
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
Some wonder how long it will be before Watson reisgns from this position, like he has from all the other positions of power he has ever held. This is to underestimate him. He protests that he has no interest in eventually becoming leader, but one wonders how he will build and then use his new power base. -
(NEW) John McDonnell
Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
Possibly the most unlikely appointment in single Caligula made his horse a senator. McDonnell and his unique brand of economics are loathed politically by almost the entire Parliamentary Labour Party. How long will their patience last? -
(-3) Len McCluskey
General Secretary, UNITE
Money talks and Len McCluskey has a lot of it to distribute. Jeremy Corbyn may have a lot in common politically with Len McCluskey but can he persuade the UNITE leader to open his wallet. McCluskey won’t want to throw good money after bad, and will certainly exact a price for his munificence. -
(+75) Simon Fletcher
Chief of Staff to Jeremy Corbyn
One of the few people with executive experience in Jeremy Corbyn’s inner circle, Fletcher performed the same role for Ken Livingstone when he was mayor of London. His performance in this role will in part determine Corbyn’s chances of success. -
(+36) Angela Eagle
Shadow Business Secretary
The shadow chancellor who never was, Angela Eagle may turn out to be one of the ket voices in the shadow cabinet. She’s popular and perfectly capable of saying ‘no’ if she won’t go along iwth something. -
(+50) Rosie Winterton
Chief Whip
It’s rumoured that she conducted the reshuffle more or less alone after Jeremy Corbyn made the decision about John McDonnell. She will have the job from hell trying to keep the various factions of the PLP together, but if anyone can do it, she can. -
(NEW) Hilary Benn
Shadow Foreign Secretary
One of the great survivors of modern politics, Hilary Benn is popular among his colleagues and is more likely to be able to adapt to the new regime than most, and is likely to stand up to any excesses of the Corbyn leadership with both determination and grace. -
(NEW) Neale Coleman
Director of Policy
A massive appointment for Jeremy Corbyn, and possibly the only one welcomed by all sides of the party. Coleman was a key figure in the Livingstone mayoralty and was so impressive that Boris Johnson kept him on. -
(+1) Harriet Harman
Former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
Harman grows more popular with age, and although not on the front bench any longer, she will perform the role of ‘wise old owl’ and she will be a very important source of advice behinf the scenes. -
(+28) Iain McNicol
General Secretary of the Labour Party
McNicol has had a very difficult transition to handle, with a huge turnover of staff. He’s performed his role with a great deal of patience and humour, and although he’s been singled out for criticism for the handling of the general election campaign, yet again he’s proved to be a great survivor. -
(-7) Owen Jones
Guardian columnist
Having ruled out joining Team Corbyn, Jones has apparently annoyed the Guardian by his overt and initially enthusiastic support for the new leader. He can’t be both a participant and a commentator, though and in the end he will have to decide which road to go down. -
(+8) Sadiq Khan
Labour candidate for Mayor of London
Khan won his selection in part because of his excellent organisation but also because he benefitted from the rush of new signups who were largely Corbyn supporters. But he’s made very clear he’s his own mad and won’t be beholden to the new leader. A brave move considering he’ll need the party organisation behind him. -
(_+29) Dave Prentis
General Secretary of UNISON
Another general secretary who will be looking for a more union friendly approach from a Corbyn-led Labour Party. Prentis is a softly spoken moderate and any influence he exerts will be behind the scenes rather than shouted from the ramparts. -
(-12) Yvette Cooper
Former Labour leadership candidate
Although beaten into third place, she emerged from the leadership campaign with some credit, but will she want to become a focus for rebels and at some stage move against Jeremy Corbyn? Her public pronouncements will be avidly examined. -
(+17) Sir Paul Kenny
General Secretary of the GMB
Much respected within and outside the union sector he is not one to throw his weight around with good reason, and one suspects the Labour leadership have always listened to him with more respect than a few of his colleagues. That won’t change. -
(+62) Maria Eagle
Shadow Defence Secretary
A huge promotion for Angela Eagle, even if she clearly wasn’t first choice for the job. her first task will be to navigate the waters of a vote on armed action against ISIS in Syria. This will tell us a lot about her bridge-building capabilities. -
(NEW) Seema Malhotra
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Calm, erudite and eloquent, this relatively new MP (she was elected in a by-election in the last parliament) has risen with ease into the top echelons of the Labour Party. The test of her influence will bve how many battles she wins with her boss, the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell. -
(+51) Diane Abbott
Shadow International Development Secretary
One of the few Corbynistas in the Shadow Cabinet, she will be come a huge source of media focus. it’s surprising she wasn’t given a more high profile role in some ways. -
(-16) Andy Burnham
Shadow Home Secretary
Burnham takes a dive in this year’s list because of the total inept leadership campaign he ran and his unique ability to flip-flop without apparently realising it. Having ruled out ever standing again he is on the wane and it’s slightly suprising he accepted a post in the shadow cabinet. -
(NEW) Lord Charlie Falconer
Shadow Justice Secretary
One of the great survivors, Falconer is in a powerful position. He’s already made clear he’ll do what he likes and resign if he doesn’t get his way. But watching him try to toe a Corbyn line along the way will provide huge entertainment for everyone. -
(+2) Frances O’Grady
General Secretary, TUC
O’Grady’s profile has quietly risen in the last twelve months and her advice is likely to be sought more and more from a more trade union friendly Labour Party. -
(NEW) Jon Trickett
Shadow Communities Secretary
Formerly chief poilitical advisor to Ed Miliband, Jon Trickett has made the transition seemlessly to the new guard. With housing in his brief he will be a key player. -
(+39) Lisa Nandy
Shadow Energy & Climate Change Secretary
If Jeremy Corbyn were to fall under a bus, the Labour left are looking to Lisa Nandy as the candidate of the left in a future leadership election. She needs to prove herself first, though, and this portfolio gives her the chance to do so. -
(NEW) John Healey
Shadow Minister for Housing
Housing has been identified as a key area of policy by Jeremy Corbyn. Healey may not have much in common with Corbyn politically but he’s a highly capable politician who has the tenacity to drive things through. -
(+52) Gloria de Piero
Shadow Minister for Youth Engagement
A key ally of Tom Watson, de Piero was tipped for a big job in the new shadow cabinet but she has been sidelined into a youth engagement portfolio, having apparently turned down defence. -
(+40) Owen Smith
Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary
A big rise for one of the potential stars of the new shadow cabinet. It’s a difficult brief to master and star in, but if anyone can Owen Smith can. But can he develop policy which his leader can support? On that, the jury is out. -
(NEW) Alicia Kennedy
Labour Peer
Having run Tom Watson’s deputy leadership campaign Kennedy is guaranteed a position of influence in the new regime. A true party insider, she knows where a lot of bodies are buried. -
(NEW) Heidi Alexander
Shadow Health Secretary
One of the nicest people in parliament, Alexander has been given a huge promotion. If she rises to the challenge she could become a pivotal player in the Labour Party’s mid term future. -
(-12) Gordon Brown
Former Prime Minister
Gordon Brown’s role in the Scottish referendum victory has been exaggerated, but there is little doubt that he is still a figure of influence on Labour in Scotland at least. But will he find a new role soon? -
(-11) Polly Toynbee
Guardian Columnist
Never off our screens, Toynbee has been a surprising Corbyn sympathiser. She has clearly moved a long way left since her days in the SDP but it’s inevitable that at some point she will part company with Corbyn and his team. -
(-26) Chuka Umunna
Former Shadow Business Secretary
Whither Chuka? We’re not sure if even he’s certain what his future holds. Will his shock withdrawal from the leadership contest do him lasting damage or can he bounce back and become the focus of discontent and carve out a role as ‘King over the water’? So far the jury is out. -
(NEW) Kat Fletcher
Political Adviser on stakeholder engagement to Jeremy Corbyn
Former NUS head, she played a key role in Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership and has now taken on the role of fixer-in-chief. At least we think that’s what ‘stakeholder engagement’ is a euphemism for. -
(-9) Alex Salmond
SNP Foreign Affairs Spokesman
A big fall after losing the referendum and resigning as First Minister but he’s got a new lease of life in Westminster and is obviously enjoying a huge amount of mischief. -
(+5) Stella Creasy
Former deputy leadership candidate
Having fought an excellent deputy leadership election campaign in which she came second, Stella Creasy could have had a job of her asking, but instead she decided not to serve. -
(NEW) Ken Livingstone
Former Mayor of London
You can’t keep a good man down. Ken Livingstone shed a tear when Jeremy Corbyn made his acceptance speech the day he was elected. His former chief of staff is now performing the same role for the Labour leader. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Livingstone taking Ermine before too long and taking on a formal role in the shadow cabinet. -
(NEW) Cat Smith
Shadow Minister for Women & Equalities
Cat Smith worked for six years in Jeremy Corbyn’s office and knows him better than most. An ultra lefty herself, she was among the first to nominate Corbyn and will continue to be an influence on him. Non-factional, she may prove to be an uniting force. The Labour leader would do well to make him her PPS. -
(NEW) Andrew Murray
Chief of Staff at UNITE & Chair of the Stop the War Coalition
A deeply divisive figutes, Murray has now succeeded Jeremy Corbyn as chair of the Stop the War Coalition, a position he had previously held. But UNITE is his main powerbase and he is the power behind Len McCluskey’s throne. -
(-4) Carwyn Jones
Welsh First Minister
The most powerful Labour politician in the land, Jones has never bothered to build a UK wide profile and concentrates on his role in Wales. A nice man, he was shaken by the Tory gains in Wales in May but can he devise a strategy to stop them gaining even more of a foothold in the Welsh Assemby? -
(NEW) Kezia Dugdale
Leader of the Scottish Labour Party
Who would have Kezia Dugdale’s job? Possibly the most unenviable job in British politics at the moment. But she’s a doughty fighter and will be looking to the long term rather than just the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2016. -
(NEW) Richard Murphy
Economist
Richard Murphy has been wrong about just about everything but is seen as the guru behind anti-austerity Corbynomics. He hasn’t been given a formal role within Team Corbyn but it woudl surprise no one if he had been angling for one. -
(NEW) John Cryer
Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party
John Cryer has the mother of all tasks in preventing all out civil war within the parliamentary party and his diplomatic skills are likely to be tested to the full, especially if Labour does badly in the various elections next May. - (NEW) John Woodcock
Chairman of Progress
Far from retreating into their Blairite blunker, Progress have come out fighting under the leadership of John Woodcock -
(-22) Michael Dugher
Shadow Culture, Media & Sport Secretary
Some were surprised that Michael Dugher accepted a demotion to shadow the culture brief, but he’s valuable to the Corbyn leadership as a semi trained Borwnite attack dog. He knows where bodies are buried and from time to time is quite willing to exhume them. -
(-26) Tony Blair
Former Prime Minister
His influence may be on the decline, and some might imagine that he will disappear off next year’s list altogether, but whenever he makes any public utterance people do sit up and take notice. They might think he’s mad or a war criminal, but no one ignores him. -
(+18) Liz Kendall
Former leadership candidate
She is now the undisputed leader of the Blairite right and showed a lot of courage in putting herself forward the leadership so early. Her campaign was mixed to say the least, but she won a lot of friends and made few enemies. -
(-39) Rachel Reeves
Former Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary
Another of Labour’s lost generation who refuse to serve under Jeremy Corbyn. She’s a real loss to the frontbench, but she now has an opportunity to make her mark across all areas of policy. -
(+14) Luciana Berger
Shadow Mental Health Minister
An impressive performer, she is the only jewish member of Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow team. She is therefore likely to come under the spotlight more than her portfolio might normally allow. -
(+35) Lucy Powell
Shadow Education Secretary
Having been an excellent shadow childcare minister Lucy Powell had, shall we say, a less than happy experience as deputy campaign manager of Labour’s general election campaign. In fact, it was disastrous. This new job will make her or break her. -
(+19) Dan Jarvis
Labour MP for Barnsley
Labour’s lost leader. Had he run for leader this time he may have made a much bigger impression than the three candidates who lost. His reluctance to serve under Jeremy Corbyn may position him well for any ensuing contest. -
(+3) Caroline Lucas
Green MP for Brighton Pavilion
Lucas did well not only to retain her seat but to massively increase her majority. She has clearly become frustrated by Natalie Bennett’s leadership, or lack of it, and it’s possible that by the time 2020 comes around she will be back in the leadership. -
(NEW) Annaliese Midgley
Deputy Chief of Staff to Jeremy Corbyn
Some might say her previous position at UNITE gave her more influence than her new job, but we would beg to differ. She could become a leading player if things work out right for her. -
(-30) Tristram Hunt
Former Shadow Education Secretary
The next twelve months will determine whether Hunt can skilfully lead the anti-Corbyn forces in the Labour Party. If he doesn’t he may well drop out of this list next year, and who knows, even decide to stand down from parliament and go back to academia and books. Who could blame him? -
(NEW) Jim Kennedy
Chairman of Labour’s NEC
The man who announced Jeremy Corbyn’s victory, his position confers influence over the voluntary party. But can he unite the different factions on the NEC and present a united front? -
(NEW) Mhaira Black
SNP MP for Paisley & Renfrewshire South
Can Black live up to her maiden speech? She could play a massive part in Scotland’s political future over the next forty or fifty years. A lot of eyes are on her. -
(+10) Jason Cowley
Editor, New Statesman
Cowley has been considered more of a literary specialist than a political one, but his skilful steering of the New Statesman has resulted in the magazine and its website becoming a required political read across the spectrum. -
(-13) Helen Lewis
Deputy Editor, New Statesman
Lewis’s profile is graducally on the rise and she is considered one of the more balanced and thoughtful commentators on the centre left. -
(NEW) Jenny Formby
Political Director, UNITE
It could be argued that Jenny Formby is of even more significance than her general secretary given that she can fund political campaigns across the spectrum and influence candidate selections. Commentators will be looking for early signs of Unite-inspired defections. -
(NEW) Katherine Viner
Editor, The Guardian
Given that with the exceptions of Owen Jones and Seaumas Milne most of the Guardian’s writers are way to the right of Corbyn & McDonnell it will be interesting to see how the Guardian’s new editor steers her newspaper through some choppy political waters. -
(NEW) Jon Lansman
Editor, Left Futures
Commonly known as Jeremy Corbyn’s conscience. Unlikely to be awarded a formal role, his job will to try to keep Corbyn to his left wing roots. -
(NEW) John Swinney
SNP Deputy First Minister of Scotland
Swinney has bounced back role following his lacklustre period as leader. Like his leader he has a well developed sense of humour and provides the ballast in the SNP’s Edinburgh leadership. -
(NEW) Angus Robertson
Leader of the SNP in Westminster
Each week he has two questions to David Cameron at PMQs. So far he hasn’t made a huge impact in this role, but as leader of the SNP in Westminster his influence can only grow. -
(+11) Lord David Sainsbury
Philanthropist & Labour donor
A man totally out of sync with the current Labour Party it’s unimaginable he will continue to donate to the national party. Instead, he will concentrate his munificence on Progress and the In campaign. -
(-6) Kevin Maguire
Assistant Editor, Daily Mirror
Having grown thoroughly disillusioned with Team Miliband it will be interesting to see how Maguire adapts to the Corbyn leadership. -
(-36) Keith Vaz
Chairman, Home Affairs Select Committee
Rarely off the airwaves, Vaz won his select committee chairmanship re-election with ease and will continue to be one of Labour’s most visible faces and recognisable voices on the media. -
(-45) Jon Cruddas
Labour MP for Dagenham
A seemingly permanent ‘nearly man’ who always seems reluctant to take on any position of responsibility. He’ll need to buck up his ideas if he to be on this list next year. -
(NEW) Luke Akehurst
Secretary, Labour First
One of the most talented Labour people never to have become MP. His Labour First group is gaining in influence and he may be a key figure in uniting the right of the party. -
(+24) Chris Bryant
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
A great survivor, if Chris Bryant could learn to tape up his mouth from time to time he would be a serious player. There’s a deeply serious politician inside a brain that too often looks for the one liner. -
(-12) Mark Serwotka
General Secretary, PCS
A very popular union leader. Serwotka has courageously struggled with his health in recent times but remains one of the most influential people in the trade union movement. -
(NEW) Mick Cash
General Secretary, RMT
Cash has had a difficult act to follow, but Bob Crow would have been proud of him with the number of strikes the RMT continues to call. Will they now reaffiliate to the Labour Party? That’s a key decision for Cash to consider. -
(NEW) Kevin Slocombe
Press Secretary to Jeremy Corbyn
Former head of comms at the Communication Workers Union, Slocombe has an unenviable job. His lack of experience with the lobby may be telling, and according to one of our panel his main danger will be becoming the story himself. -
(NEW) Paul Mason
Economics Editor, Channel Four News
Has had a very good year with Channel Four News bringing his unqiue brand of economics commentary to a new audience. A journalist, who, while clearly on the left, manages to engage with people across the spectrum. -
(-23) Simon Danczuk
Labour MP for Rochdale
One of Labour’s most high profile backbenchers and a leading campaigner against child abuse. Annoys some of his colleagues and Labour members with his willingness to speak his mind, often against party policy. -
(-7) Alan Johnson
Former Home Secretary
The best leader Labour never had? Sadly for Labour his time has been and gone, but he remains in this list as he will be chairing Labour’s ‘In’ campaign in the euro-referendum. -
(-4) Richard Leese
Leader of Manchester City Council
A shoo-in as Labour candidate for mayor of Manchester, assuming he actually wants the job. One of the few local government leaders with a profile. -
(-) John Mills
Chairman of JML & party donor
Mills will be a key player in the Euro referendum debate. Contrary to reports he has not ruled out donating to Labour under Corbyn, but it’s clear he is unhappy with the direction the party has taken. -
(NEW) Lloyd Embley
Editor, Daily Mirror
The Mirror is experiencing something of a renaissence, even if the circulation figures might not reflect it. It is now in a position to influence Labour in a way that was impossible under Blair and Brown. -
(NEW) Matt Wrack
General Secretary, FBU
Wrack has provided good leadership to his members in the dispute with the government over pay, conditions and pensions, and unusually, he’s got the public on his side. -
(-33) George Galloway
Respect London mayoral candidate
Galloway’s profile remains high and he has returned to the airwaves on LBC with some cover work. Is his aim now to rejoin the Labour Party, and if so, will he withdraw from the London mayoral race? It can’t be ruled out. -
(NEW) Baroness Angela Smith
Labour leader in the House of Lords
The role of Labour leader in the House of Lords will be crucial in the parliament and Smith is likely to forge many alliances with the LibDem group and crossbench peers in order to inflict embarrassing defeats on the government. -
(-23) Jonathan Ashworth
Shadow Minister without portfolio & NEC member
Without a proper policy portfolio, Ashworth is likely to take on the role as Minister for the Today Programme and take over the mantle of ‘attack dog’. -
(NEW) Pat McFadden
Shadow Europe Minister
The consensual McFadden will do well to keep labour united on Europe, and it’s rumoured he negotiated a hard bargain with Jeremy Corbyn before accepting the job. -
(NEW) Vernon Coaker
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
As Yvette Cooper’s representative on earth, many were surprised when Coaker accepted a shadow cabinet demotion from defence. But he’s nothing if not a loyal Labour party trooper. -
(NEW) Will Straw
Executive Director, In Campaign
Straw has bounced back from his election defeat in Rossendale & Darwen and will have a high profile over the coming two years leading the In Campaign in the runup to the Euro-referendum. -
(-33) Yasmin Alibhai-Brown
_Columnist, The Independent
A surprising drop by our panel considering she’s had two books out this year, both of which have received critical acclaim. Always feisty, never knowingly uncontroversial, she remains a marmite character for people across the political spectrum. -
(NEW) Sian Berry
Green Party London mayoral candidate
She will hope to improve on her performance as mayoral candidate in 2008, when she got only 3.15% of first preferences, but how far will the London green cause be hit by former green voters who defect to Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour? -
(-55) Nick Pearce
Director, IPPR
The IPPR has been seen as Labour’s think tank, but will their pseudo-Blairite stance count against them with the new regime? -
(NEW) Clive Lewis
Labour MP for Norwich South
Articulate and eloquent, Lewis is seen as one of the left’s bright hopes for the future. An ex soldier who served in Afghanistan it’s rumoured he turned down the role of Shadow Defence Secretary. -
(-4) Natalie Bennett
Leader, Green Party
Bennett survived a rather trying election campaign and unlike most party leaders survived to fight another day, but there’s little doubt that green knives are out for her. -
(NEW) Wes Streeting
Labour MP for Ilford North
Without doubt one of the stars of Labour’s 2015 intake of young MPs. Although he supported Liz Kendall, he is popular across the party and will play a big part in its future. -
(NEW) Neil Kinnock
Former Leader of the Labour Party
Regarded with affection across the Labour Party, Neil Kinnock has taken on the role of a wise old father figure to Labour politicians from all wings. -
(+5) Humza Yousaf
SNP Minister for External Affairs
One of the most telegenic of the SNP’s new generation, he is a future leader of the SNP without a shadow of a doubt. -
(NEW) Jess Phillips
Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley
Anyone who has the balls to tell Diane Abbott to ‘fuck off’ in a PLP meeting deserves to make this list. Phillips is going to be one of the characters of the new Parliament. -
(NEW) Stuart Hosie
Deputy Leader of the SNP in Westminster
One of the few leading SNP politicians with a well developed sense of humour, the SNP would be wise to use him more on UK-wide media. -
(NEW) Sir Keir Starmer
Labour MP for Holborn & St Pancras
The most political DPP in a generation, he is tipped for great things in politics, and may well rise to the top if he can keep his giant ego in check. -
(NEW) Stephen Bush
_Editor of the New Statesman ‘Staggers’ blog
One of the rising stars of a new generation of journalists on the left, he was one of the few to predict the course of the leadership election. -
(NEW) Jim McMahon
Labour leader on the LGA
Labour has ignored local government leaders for years. McMahon’s task is to change that and influence the party’s policy review. -
(+1) Leanne Wood
Leader of Plaid Cymru
The election debates gave Wood a recognition boost, but her true test comes next May. Can Plaid break through in the way the SNP have in Scotland? Unlikely, but with the current state of politics anything is possible. - (NEW) Ben Chacko
Editor, Morning Star
The grungy looking editor of the Communist daily has kept it afloat and Jeremy Corbyn’s election as Labour leader has given the paper a circulation boost, but will it last?
This list was first published on Breitbart
