NORTH Dorset MP Simon Hoare was promoted in a government reshuffle on Monday (November 13).
The rejig of officials was prompted by the sacking of Suella Braverman as Home Secretary amid a controversy over comments on the Gaza peace march and policing in the capital.
Mr Hoare, who had been chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee since 2019, stepped down from that role after being made a junior minister in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak realigned his Government.
“It has been the most enormous pleasure, and honour to chair (the committee) since 2019,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.
“I’ve made many many friends along the way. NI and her people are both very special and I hope I have done some good along the way. I’ve made some mistakes I know but I have always tried my best.”
Mr Hoare will now serve as the Local Government Minister – at a time many authorities are facing huge financial pressure.
After the announcement, the Conservative MP said on X: “Delighted and honoured to be joining the Government as the new Local Government Minister.
“I was fortunate to serve, before becoming an MP, as a parish, district and county councillor between 2002 and 2015, so it’s “nice to be home”.”
The reshuffle – which sees a raft of ministers handed new portfolios, or sacked – came after days of pressure after controversial comments by former Home Secretary Braverman.
She has been replaced at the Home Office by James Cleverly, whose role as Foreign Secretary was surprisingly filled by former PM, David Cameron, who made a shock return to the political fold, seven years after stepping down in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum.
Mr Hoare, who has represented North Dorset since 2015, welcomed the move.
“Great to have you back (David Cameron), we need as many steady hands on deck as possible in support of the work and vision of (Rishi Sunak).”
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