EU hived off from foreign affairs in new-look shadow cabinet

European affairs have been hived off from foreign affairs in a new-look shadow cabinet announced by the Labour Party yesterday.

Responsibility for shadowing relations with the European Union has been assigned to Evarist Bartolo, while Leo Brincat was assigned foreign affairs and information technology.

Their former responsibilities for education and for finance have been assigned to Carmelo Abela and Charles Mangion respectively.

Former MLP deputy leader George Vella, previously responsible for foreign affairs has been designated "special consultant to the leader of the Opposition, and senior Labour delegate to the European Parliament.

The shadow cabinet is composed of main spokesmen and spokesman. Its composition is as follows:

Dr Alfred Sant - leader of the opposition.

Dr Charles Mangion - main spokesman on parliamentary affairs, finance and economic services.

Dr Jose' Herrera, spokesman on the Central Bank, financial and maritime services, the Malta Stock Exchange and statistics.

Dr Joe Sammut, spokesman on trade and the self-employed.

Mr Joe Mizzi - main spokesman on infrastructural services (Water Services Corporation, Enemalta, Maltacom, Maltapost, ports, oil exploration) and whip of the parliamentary group.

Dr George Vella - special consultant to the leader of the opposition, senior Labour delegate to the European Parliament.

Mr Evarist Bartolo - main spokesman on European Affairs (implementation of the EU accession treaty, relations with the EU).

Mr Leo Brincat - main spokesman on foreign affairs and information technology.

Dr Joe Brincat - main spokesman on the environment and cultural heritage (libraries, archives, museums, theatre).

Mr Joe Debono Grech - main spokesman on the armed forces and the airport.

Mr Karmenu Vella - main spokesman on tourism.

Mr Joe Cuschieri, spokesman on hotels and Air Malta.

Mr Charles Buhagiar - main spokesman on public works, roads, public transport and the construction industry.

Dr John Attard Montalto - main spokesman on industry and public investments.

Mr Chris Agius, spokesman on industry.

Dr Michael Farrugia - main spokesman on health.

Dr Adrian Vassallo, spokesman on health.

Mr Noel Farrugia, - main spokesman on agriculture, fisheries and rural development.

Dr Gavin Gulia - main spokesman on home affairs.

Dr Anglu Farrugia - main spokesman on justice.

Ms Marie-Louise Coleiro - main spokesman on social solidarity ( social policy, sedqa, persons with disability, welfare, the family, the elderly, occupational health)

Mr Silvio Parnis, spokesman on the elderly.

Dr Karl Chircop - main spokesman on social protection (social security, housing, industrial and employment relations, cooperatives).

Dr Stefan Buontempo, spokesman on housing.

Mr Joe Abela, spokesman on social security, cooperatives.

Ms Helena Dalli - main spokesman on women's rights and the public service (including public broadcasting and the shipyards).

Dr Anton Refalo - main spokesman for Gozo.

Mr Carmelo Abela - main spokesman on education, culture and youth affairs.

Dr Justyne Caruana, spokesman on youth, sport and culture.

Dr Chris Cardona - main spokesman on local councils.