MP is removed from under-secretary role
MACCLESFIELD MP David Rutley has been removed from his position as Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
As part of a new broom in the Conservative Party following Boris Johnson’s appointment as Prime Minister he has been replaced by Zac Goldsmith.
Mr Rutley, who has been the town’s MP since 2010 and began his undersecretary position in 2018, has retained his role as a government whip.
In the wake of the ‘reshuffle’ Macclesfield’s Labour party has questioned whether his continuing duties as a party whip have stopped him doing the best job
for the town’s residents. But this is something that has been strongly refuted by the local Conservative group.
Neil Puttick, Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Macclesfield, said: “Our area has suffered because of our MP’s career ambitions.
“Being an environment minister is an excellent opportunity to do good for our country, but now he has been removed from that role.
“We know that he remains a government whip and sadly that means I don’t expect him to be taking a stand on behalf of residents any time soon.
“I am being approached every day by people, worried that their views are simply not being represented by our MP.”
But in response, Councillor Beverley Dooley, chair of Macclesfield Conservative Association, says Mr Rutley’s track record helping improve Macclesfield is good.
She listed campaigning to keep mental health beds in the town, securing £5m extra for public realm improvements and lobbying for school funding as his achievements.
Coun Dooley said: “All this and more has been achieved during his time as a government whip. Like the Labour Party, the government has whips.
“Their role is to help ensure the smooth passage of Parliamentary business through the House of Commons.
“Whilst serving as a whip does require certain restrictions, it also gives David unique access to government ministers and departments.
“This helps him in his important work as our MP – standing up for local residents and communities.”