None of the MPs for SE Essex have been appointed as government ministers yet.
The post that Mark Francois was expected to get – Europe Minister – has gone to another Tory MP, David Lidington.
As the Financial Times reports:
David Cameron yesterday shied away from appointing a hardline eurosceptic as Europe minister, instead choosing David Lidington to front the new government’s relations with Brussels.
.
Mr Lidington, a former special adviser to Douglas Hurd, is seen as being on the more conciliatory wing of the Tory party in terms of relations with Europe.
.
His appointment balances the tough rhetorical stance on Europe adopted by William Hague, the foreign secretary. It also marks a contrast to the confirmed euroscepticism of Mark Francois, who covered the European brief in Mr Cameron’s shadow cabinet. The new Con-Lib government is expected shortly to appoint a Treasury minister to cover Europe.
I hope Mark Francois has not been dishearted by this. As I have said on here before, although his politics are not mine, I consider him a good hardworking MP. I see him as a loss to the new government.
Hilton Brown, If you are able to, Please could you give Mark’s side to this.
Eric Pickles is now the cabinet minister for local government. His main claim to fame is a a calamitous appearance on Question Time:
http://www.libdemvoice.org/at-last-its-the-eric-pickles-cockup-on-youtube-13013.html
Party politics aside I would have preferred Mark Francois to get that position.
As for being disheartening, Bernard Braine (later Sir Bernard, finally Lord Braine) is probably the most respected MP that Rayleigh ever had last century – without getting very far as a minister.
It will be interesting to see how much the UKIP vote increases due to this. Mark supports a different team than I do, but I concur that he does represent the constituency well.
Mark has been appointed to the Whips Office – just announced on Look East
Thanks for that John- I’ve just seen a passing mention of it on the Independent website.
To Back up what John has said:
WHIPS – HOUSE OF COMMONS
Deputy Chief Whip (Treasurer of HM Household) – John Randall MP
Deputy Chief Whip (Comptroller of HM Household) – Alistair Carmichael MP
Government Whip (Vice Chamberlain of HM Household) – Mark Francois MP
I agree with admin in that even if the new government has decided to take a softer line on Europe than the Conservative party previously had, there are other cabinet posts that would have suited Mark.
Bernard Braine did become Father of the House.
For those how have not heard of Eric Pickles, He represents Brentwood and Ongar. Another Essex name I recognise is that of Simon Burns who is the Member for Chelmsford. He has being given the post of Junior Health Minister.
So far no mention of James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East. He was previously a Whip.
Any mention of Mr Amess?
Brucesmart,
No mention of David Amess.