 Davis' first ministerial post, which he held from 1974 until 1979, was as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Companies, Aviation and Shipping in the governments of Prime Ministers Harold Wilson and James Callaghan.Following the Conservative Party’s victory in the 1979 General Election, Davis remained on the Labour front bench as the Opposition Spokesman on Trade, Prices and Consumer Protection (1979–81) and Foreign Affairs (1981–83).In 1985, Davis was appointed to serve as European Commissioner alongside Lord Cockfield in the Delors Commission.