Alastair Goodlad was dropped as shadow spokesman to Clare Short at International Development after a year in opposition, in William Hague's first reshuffle (June 1998)

A quiet-spoken non-orator who rose to be John Major's Chief Whip, after holding junior ministerial jobs at Energy (under Peter Walker) and the Foreign Office.

He was first dropped by Mrs Thatcher, then brought back to the whips' office.

Has special knowledge of Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. He was formerly chairman and director of trading companies operating in Far East and has an Interest in Vietnamese refugees.

Originally a liberal Tory in Mr Walker's camp. Anti-hanging and pro-nuclear power. He sat on the Select Committee on televising the Commons, which he opposed.

A shrewd operator, cheerful but tough. He is not universally popular with fellow MPs.