Gove moved in cabinet reshuffle
Surrey Heath MP becomes Chief Whip with ‘enhanced’ responsibility for campaigning ahead of election
SURREY MPs have been assigned new roles in a reshuffle designed to refresh the Prime Minister’s cabinet in the run-up to next year's general election.
Education secretary Michael Gove, MP for Surrey Heath, has become the Conservative Party’s new chief whip. Nicky Morgan has stepped up into his former role, while remaining minister for women and equality.
Prime Minister David Cameron took to Twitter to announce: “Michael Gove is Commons chief whip. He’ll have an enhanced role in campaigning and doing broadcast media interviews.”
Mr Gove cut a controversial figure during his four-year tenure heading up the Department for Education (DfE).
Elected in May 2005 on a majority of 17,289 votes, Mr Gove has served Surrey Heath borough for the best part of a decade in what is seen as one of the safest Tory seats in the country.
NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, quickly issued a statement responding to the announcement.
Chris Keates, general secretary of the union, said: “It is important the incoming secretary of state understands the critical challenges facing the teaching profession which are central to our trade dispute.
“Ms Morgan
inherits
a teaching profession on the brink of a recruitment and retention crisis after an unrelenting assault on teachers’ pay, pensions and conditions and their professionalism.
“Teachers are buckling under the pressure of increased workload and the threat of job loss, and morale is at an all-time low.
“Whilst some may celebrate the departure of Michael Gove from the office of Secretary of State, the issue for the education service, for teachers, pupils and the general public is not a change of secretary of state, but a change of policy.”
It represents a demotion for Gove and comes after teachers in Surrey and across the UK went on strike last week over pay.
Alan Cleverly, secretary and agent for the Surrey Heath Conservative Association, said Mr Gove would relish his new role and was fully engaged in next May’s battle for Westminster.
He added: “Both he and David Cameron are personal friends. He certainly does not consider it a demotion.
“The chief whip’s role has been expanded to more public profile work. While it comes with different responsibilities, it’s a challenge he will rise to.”
Philip Hammond, MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, has been appointed to replace William Hague as foreign secretary. Michael Fallon will take over from Mr Hammond as defence secretary.
The shake-up began on Monday evening with the resignations of veteran ministers.
Mr Hammond, who has been particularly involved with the News & Maill patch during his time as defence secretary, said he was delighted with his new appointment.
“It’s a huge challenge to follow in the footsteps of William Hague, who has done a fantastic job as foreign secretary. It has put the great back into Great Britain across the world,” he said.
“I shall attempt to live up to the expectation he has created.”
South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt has retained his health secretary cabinet spot in the reshuffle.