New role for Lewes MP in 'caretaker' government

Maria Caulfield had served as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Patient Safety and Primary Care, but now becomes Minister of State for Health in the Department for Health and Social Care.

Ms Caulfield, a specialist cancer nurse, said: “I am pleased to have been appointed Minister of State for Health and will continue the work I began in the Department when first made Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in September last year. As someone who still regularly works shifts as a cancer nurse I know what is needed for our NHS to make sure it is the best it can be for patients and staff alike.

“I will, of course, continue to work hard in my role as a constituency MP for Lewes, tackling the big issues faced by local residents such as regenerating Newhaven, improving transport links across the area, and tackling the cost of living.”

The Prime Minister announced he was stepping down as leader of the Conservative Party last Thursday morning (July 7) having been widely criticised by his handling of allegations against former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher.

He will remain at Number 10 until his successor is chosen by the Conservatives.

However Ms Caulfield was publicly silent throughout the week.

Lib Dem candidate for Lewes James MacCleary said: “I doubt many residents will be surprised that Maria Caulfield's unquestioning loyalty to Boris Johnson has been rewarded. She has backed every decision that he has made and stood by him throughout the Partygate scandal and recent mishandling of the Chris Pincher allegations. Her refusal to answer residents' questions on where she stood spoke volumes.”

Meanwhile Emily O’Brien, the Green Party’s Parliamentary spokesperson for Lewes, called it a ‘cheap and ugly promotion’ and suggested the role was only vacant because ‘others more senior and more honourable have chosen to walk away from the chaos and lies of Boris Johnson’s government’.

She added: “She has failed to walk away from Boris Johnson, but then to brazenly trumpet the subsequent slither up the scale due to everyone else abandoning the sinking ship as a ‘promotion’ is an absolute travesty.”