Who's been hired, fired or retired this week in UK politics – 4 November
Sir Nicholas Soames was raised to the peerage of Lord Soames of Fletching and introduced to the House of Lords.
5 min read
A round up of people moves and appointments in UK and devolved politics, the civil service and public affairs, from our colleagues at Dods People.
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Government reshuffle:
Details of the reshuffle can be found here: https://bit.ly/3Bckrmi.
Houses of Parliament:
House of Commons
Matt Hancock – Conservative whip suspended; now sits as an Independent MP.
Committee chairs:
Health and Social Care Committee – Steve Brine elected as Chair.
Education Committee – due to the appointment of the Chair, Robert Halfon, as a Minister of State in the Department of Education, an election will take place to appoint a new Chair. Nominations are open until noon on 15 November. The ballot will take place on 16 November and the result will be announced in the Chamber later that day.
Nominees so far: Jonathan Gullis, David Simmonds and Robin Walker.
Transport Committee – due to the appointment of the Chair, Huw Merriman, as Minister of State in the Department for Transport, an election will take place to appoint as new Chair. Nominations are open until noon on 15 November. The ballot will take place on 16 November and the result will be announced in the Chamber later that day.
Nominees so far: Jackie Doyle-Price, Katherine Fletcher, Karl McCartney and Iain Stewart.
Treasury Committee – Nominees so far for Chair: Harriett Baldwin, John Baron, Richard Fuller and Andrea Leadsom.
Committee membership:
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee – Robert Largan and Jonathan Djanogly discharged.
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission – Rachel Hopkins added; Paul Scully and Andrew Stephenson discharged.
House of Lords
Lord Soames of Fletching (Conservative) and Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour) were raised to the peerage on 28 October, and their introduction to the House of Lords took place on 31 October.
Baroness Lea of Lymm (Conservative) and Lord Leong (Labour) were raised to the peerage on 31 October, and Baroness Lea of Lymm’s introduction to the House of Lords took place on 1 November. Lord Leong’s introduction will take place on 17 November.
Lord Roberts of Belgravia (Conservative) and Lord Swire (Conservative) were raised to the peerage on 1 November. Lord Roberts of Belgravia’s introduction will take place on 28 November and Lord Swire’s on 7 November.
Lord Sahota (Labour) and Lord Verdirame (Non-affiliated) were raised to the peerage on 2 November. Lord Sahota’s introduction will take place on 7 November. Lord Verdirame’s introduction date still to be announced.
Lord Hintze (Conservative) and Baroness Lawlor (Conservative) were raised to the peerage on 3 November. Lord Hintze’s introduction will take place on 14 November and Baroness Lawlor’s introduction will take place on 28 November.
UK Government:
Prime Minister's Office
Mrs Justice Falk appointed as Lady Justice of Appeal in the Court of Appeal.
Department of Health and Social Care
Health Services Safety Investigations Body – The Health and Social Care Committee has approved the appointment of Dr Ted Baker as Chair.
Privy Council Office
Rachel Reeves MP and Lord Kennedy of Southwark appointed as Privy Counsellors.
Parties:
Conservatives
Elizabeth Wardlaw selected as candidate for the City of Chester by-election.
Labour
Florence Eshalomi appointed as Shadow Minister for Cabinet Office, was previously PPS to Angela Rayner.
Sarah Owen appointed as Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government and Faith, was previously Shadow Minister for Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Faith.
Paula Barker appointed as Shadow Minister for Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, was previously PPS to John Healey.
Yasmin Qureshi appointed as Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities.
Christian Wakeford appointed as Opposition Whip, was previously PPS to Bridget Phillipson.
Samantha Dixon selected as candidate for the City of Chester by-election.
Liberal Democrats
Rob Herd selected as candidate for the City of Chester by-election.
Jo Barton selected as candidate for the upcoming West Lancashire by-election. Current MP Rosie Cooper is still to officially resign as MP.
Scottish Conservatives
Rachael Hamilton appointed as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Islands and Equalities, was previously Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands.
Alexander Stewart appointed as Shadow Minister for Older People, was previously Shadow Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work and for Older People.
Jeremy Balfour appointed as Shadow Minister for Social Security, was previously Shadow Minister for Social Security and Local Government.
Craig Hoy appointed as Shadow Minister for Social Care, was previously Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Social Care.
Edward Mountain is no longer Shadow Minister for Veterans.
Devolved Administrations:
Scottish Government
Elena Whitham appointed as Minister for Community Safety, subject to approval from His Majesty The King.
Northern Ireland Executive
All Ministers ceased their roles on 28 October. Running of the departments will pass to civil servants.
Northern Ireland Policing Board – Les Allamby, Kate Laverty and Peter Osborne appointed as Independent Members from 1 December; Brendan Mullan and Mukesh Sharma Osborne appointed as Independent Members from 1 April 2023; Frank McManus re-appointed as an Independent Member from 1 April 2023.
Local Authorities:
Interested in an updated contact list of Local Government leaders? Get in contact with your Dods Account Manager or Customer Services for more details.
Brent Council – Carolyn Downs to stand down as Chief Executive from early 2023.
East Herts Council – Leader of the Council Linda Haysey to stand down at the next election in May 2023.
Ipswich Council – Russell Williams to stand down as Chief Executive by the end of January 2023.
Northumberland County Council – Dr Helen Paterson appointed as Chief Executive.
Orkney Islands Council – Oliver Reid appointed as Chief Executive.
Sandwell Council – Shokat Lal to be appointed as Chief Executive, subject to Full Council approval on 8 November.
Industry
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Interest Groups
British Tinnitus Association – Deanne Thomas appointed as Chief Executive from 21 November.
Royal Statistical Society – Dr Andrew Garrett appointed as President.
Samaritans – Lis Skeet appointed as Executive Director of Operations from December; Tiger de Souza MBE appointed as Executive Director for People and Culture from April 2023.
Trade Associations
Tourism Alliance – Richard Toomer appointed as Executive Director, replacing Kurt Janson.
Who was hired, fired, retired last week - 28 October
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