Political Updates 4th November 2019

This week’s Political Updates covers moves and changes at all levels of government.

Government

The Secretary of State has announced the appointment of 48 Parole Board members (more info).

Kate Willard has been appointed as first Estuary Envoy and Chair of the Thames Estuary Growth Board (more info).

Jim Harra appointed as the new Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary at HMRC, succeeding Sir Jonathan Thompson (more info).

Mark Denney has been appointed as interim Chief Digital and Information Officer at HM Revenue and Customs (more info).

The Queen has approved the re-appointment of Mrs Elizabeth Peace as a Member of the Churches Conservation Trust (more info).

The Queen has approved the re-appointment of Mr Edward Harley as a Member of the Churches Conservation Trust (more info).

The Prime Minister has appointed Catherine Goodman, Lord Tony Hall and Stuart Roden as Trustees at the National Gallery for four years from 1 November 2019 to 31 October 2023 (more info).

The Secretary of State has appointed Truda Spruyt as a Board Member at the Theatres Trust for three years from 7 October 2019 to 6 October 2022 (more info).

UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK’s award-winning export credit agency, has appointed Carl Williamson to lead its Trade Finance Business (more info).

Jonson Cox’s appointment as Chair of the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) has been extended by one year (more info).

The Crown Estate has announced one new appointment (Karen Jones) and one re-appointment (James Darkins) to their board (more info).

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has this day appointed John Mann to be Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern (more info).

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has this day appointed the Rt Hon John Simon Bercow to be Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead (more info).

Mr Richard Morris has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Fiji in succession to Ms Melanie Hopkins (more info).

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Rt. Hon Julian Smith MP has extended the appointments of four members of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland for a three-month period ending on 28 February 2020 (more info):

• Eileen Chan-Hu
• Duane Farrell
• Helen Ferguson
• Jarlath Kearney

The Queen has approved the nomination of the Venerable Martin Charles William Gorick, MA, to the Suffragan See of Dudley, in the Diocese of Worcester (more info).

Dame Judith Hackitt named as government adviser on the new Building Safety Regulator (more info).

The Secretary of State has reappointed Marian Campbell as a Trustee at the Treasure Valuation Committee for five years from 17 October 2019 to 16 October 2024 (more info).

House of Commons

John Bercow stood down from the role of Speaker.

John Mann stood down as Labour MP for Bassetlaw to join the House of Lords.

       House of Lords

Lord Mann joined the House of Lords on 29th October as a non-affiliated life peer.

Lord Ranger joined the House of Lords on 29th October as a Conservative life peer.

The Bishop of Blackburn joined the House of Lords on 29th October

Lord Hendy joined the House of Lords on 28th October as a Labour life peer.

Baroness Hunt of Bethnal Green joined the House of Lords on 28th October as a crossbench life peer.

Baroness Emerton retired as a crossbench life peer on 1st November.

Lord Carswell retired as a crossbench life peer on 29th October.

Lord Pearson of Rannoch has left the UK Independence Party and now sits as non-affiliated.

High Speed Rail (West Midlands–Crewe) Bill Committee – Lord Walker of Gestingthorpe appointed as Chair. Lord Flight, Lord Jones of Cheltenham, Lord Haselhurst, Lord Liddle, Lord Porter of Spalding and Lord Snape named as members.

Democracy and Digital Technologies Committee – Baroness McGregor-Smith appointed as a member in place of Lord Dobbs.

Social and Economic Impact of the Gambling Industry Select Committee – Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay appointed as a member.

Science and Technology Committee – Baroness Penn appointed as a member in place of Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach.

Procedure Committee – Baroness Harris of Richmond appointed as a member.

Liaison Committee – Baroness Walmsley appointed as a member in place of Lord Newby.

Hybrid Instruments Committee – Baroness Jenkin of Kennington appointed as a member.

European Union Committee – Lord Oates appointed as a member.

Constitution Committee – Lord Howell of Guildford appointed as a member.

  Scottish Government 

David McGill took up the post of Clerk and Chief Executive to the Parliament, replacing Paul Grice.

Conservative Party

Alistair Burt, Caroline Nokes, Greg Clark, Nicholas Soames, Ed Vaizey, Margot James, Richard Benyon, Stephen Hammond, Steve Brine and Richard Harrington had the Conservative Whip restored.

Antoinette Sandbach joined the Liberal Democrats.