Big promotion for Ipswich MP Ben Gummer
Ben Gummer arrives in Downing Street. - Credit: PA
Ipswich MP Ben Gummer has received a major promotion in Theresa May’s first reshuffle.
He has been promoted to become Cabinet Office minister – who has a vital role in co-ordinating the work of different government departments.
Although not formally a member of the cabinet, he will attend cabinet meetings.
He takes over from West Suffolk MP Matthew Hancock whose future in the government should become clear today.
Mr Gummer said: “This came as a total surprise, but it is very exciting and I am looking forward to it enormously.
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“In one sense I am quite sorry to be leaving health because we had a good team there and things were starting to happen – but when a call like this comes you have to jump at it.”
He will be co-ordinating policy and government work between the departments.
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“This is the kind of thing you come into politics to do.
“It will be wonderful working in the heart of government,” he added.
Mr Gummer’s appointment came at the end of another busy day of comings and goings in the government.
Essex MP Priti Patel joined the full cabinet as Secretary of State for International Development and Norfolk MP Liz Truss was promoted to become Justice Secretary following the sacking of Michael Gove.
And a raft of new junior appointments will be made on Friday – which could be of interest to MPs like Dr Therese Coffey, Mr Hancock and some of the newly-elected members who could be hoping for the first step on the ministerial ladder.
