Michael Howard has appointed former TV producer Julie Kirkbride as the new Conservative party media spokesperson - but she will not get a shadow cabinet role.
Kirkbride, who replaces John Whittingdale, also has practical experience of working both with the BBC and ITV. Her first job after leaving Cambridge University was as a researcher with Yorkshire TV. After three years with Yorkshire she spent three years as a producer with BBC news and current affairs and then another three years with ITN.
Kirkbride also brings to her responsibilities experience as a print journalist - she worked as a lobby correspondent for the Daily Telegraph before becoming MP for Bromsgrove in 1997.
The new shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport, will not, however, sit in the shadow cabinet in her own right. Instead she will work under David Davis, the shadow home secretary, who heads a new team shadowing the home office, department of constitutional affairs, and DCMS.
Howard however has assured Kirkbride that she will be invited to the shadow cabinet when broadcasting issues are discussed.
The forthcoming review of the BBC Charter, the Tories own internal review of BBC funding, and the independent review of BBC's on-line services, guarantees broadcasting will be a major political issue up to, during, and beyond the general election expected in 2005.
As a backbencher, Kirkbride, was a member of Gerald Kaufman's all-party media select committee and played a part in steering through Parliament the new Communications Act.
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