Political Updates 5 March 2019

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

  Government

George Eustice has resigned from his role of Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, over Brexit delay vote (more info).

Alberto Costa has resigned from his role as Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Scotland Office. He did so to be able to table a Brexit amendment (more info).

Baroness Newlove has had her role as Victims’ Commissioner is to be extended until 31st May (more info).

Charlie Taylor has been reappointed as Chair of the Youth Justice Board (more info).

Danielle Palmour and Emma Boggis have been appointed as Board Members of the National Lottery Community Fund (more info).

Dexter Dalwood has had his role of Trustee of the National Gallery extended (more info).

Liam Dolan and Sue Hartley have been reappointed to the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (more info).

Kathryn Cearns is set to replace Angela Knight as Chair of the Office of Tax Simplification at HM Treasury (more info).

Maria Adebowale-Schwarte has been reappointed as a board member of the Environment Agency (more info).

Ashleigh Dunn has been appointed as a member of the Standards Commission for Scotland.

Dr Bill Maxwell and Rognvald Johnston have been appointed as Members of the Care Inspectorate Board.

Lindsay Montgomery has been appointed as Chair of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

Sandy Riddell has been appointed as Chair of the Mental Welfare Commission.

House of Commons

Chris Williamson has been suspended from the Labour Party. He is being investigated after saying that the party had been ‘too apologetic’ on antisemitism (more info).

Eleanor Smith has replaced Sandy Martin as a member of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee.

Joan Ryan has replaced Alex Cunningham as a member of the Environmental Audit Committee.

Liz Twist has been appointed as a member of the Committee on Standards and as a member of the Committee of Privileges.

Scott Mann has replaced Alex Burghart as a member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights.

House of Lords

Baroness Oppenheim-Barne (Conservative, life peer) retired on 25^th February.

Angela Smith has been named Spokesperson for Transport, Local Government and Housing, Energy, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Ann Coffey has been named Spokesperson for Children and Education.

Anna Soubry has been named Spokesperson for Brexit and Justice (and will assist on Defence).

Chris Leslie has been named Spokesperson for Treasury and Trade.

Chuka Umunna named Group Spokesperson, Spokesperson for Cabinet Office and Government Policy Coordination.

Gavin Shuker has been named Group Convener.

Joan Ryan has been named Spokesperson for International Development and Group Business Manager.

Luciana Berger has been named Spokesperson for Home Affairs, Health, Digital and Culture.

Mike Gapes has been named Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Defence.

Sarah Wollaston has been given the new colleagues brief.

European Parliament

This week, the European Parliament is in Brussels for committee and group sessions.