Double dose of Lib Dem appointments: new Director of Comms, new Welsh team

Phil Reilly, Nick Clegg’s former head of government comms and his chief speechwriter during the coalition government, has been appointed director of comms for the Lib Dems…

As chief speechwriter, Reilly contributed to Clegg’s 2015 pre-election conference speech – described by veteran political journalist Michael Crick as “one of the best speeches I’ve heard from a party leader in years” – as well as his resignation speech, following which 10,000 new members joined the Lib Dems. [PR Week]

Phil Reilly’s contribution to Nick Clegg’s moving and powerful resignation speech is certainly his most notable political moment, although Lib Dem insiders will possibly remember him even more for his love of Milton Keynes. Watch out for it being slipped into Lib Dem speeches, which will make a welcome geographic change from Malta.

Alas, I suspect Phil’s appointment will result in a drying up of the fascinating comms insider stories he has been posting over on his blog.

Nick Clegg’s resignation speech

Here’s a reminder of that Clegg speech:

New Welsh Lib Dem team

Over in Wales, Lib Dem leader Mark Williams (who has taken over from Kirsty Williams) has announced his team. As the party reports:

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader, Mark Williams MP, has announced his team of party spokespeople today.

Mark said: “Our Party remains rich in talent and I am delighted to release our new team of spokespeople to carry forward the Welsh Liberal Democrat message in the months and years ahead. Liberal Democrats have a long record of punching above our weight and I am confident that this team will do just that.”

Leader of the Party Mark Williams leads on Welsh Affairs in the House of Commons and Lord Thomas of Gresford QC leads for the Party in the House of Lords and additionally speaks on Constitutional Affairs for the Welsh Party in Parliament.

In addition, the new spokesperson team consists of:

Aled Roberts – Constitutional Affairs

Baroness Jenny Randerson – UK/Welsh Government Relations

Cllr Peter Black – Finance and Local Government, Heritage and Housing

Cllr Elizabeth Evans – Health, Wellbeing and Sport

Cllr William Powell – Farming, Environment and Rural Affairs

Jane Dodds – Communities and Social Justice

Kirsty Williams AM – Education

Bob Griffin – Economy and Infrastructure

Cadan ap Tomos – Young People, Equalities and the Welsh Language

Simon Mundy – Arts

Baroness Chris Humphreys – Skills and Lifelong Learning