Member News
By Tony Grew - 12th November 2010
Nick Boles and Alec Shelbrooke are among the new PPS appointments by the Conservative party, which were announced yesterday.
Boles, MP for Grantham and Stamford and an influential policy-former, has taken the relatively low-profile role of parliamentary private secretary to schools minister Nick Gibb.
Shelbrooke, MP for Elmet and Rothwell, will work for transport minister Theresa Villiers.
A PPS is unpaid but counted as part of the government's 'payroll' vote and will be expected to vote with the government at all times or resign their post.
To be appointed as a PPS is seen as a sign an MP is rated by the party.
They act as as the 'eyes and ears' of the minister in the House of Commons.
Other appointments announced yesterday are:
Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) - housing minister Grant Shapps
Esther McVey (Wirral West) - employment minister Chris Graying
Richard Graham (Gloucester) - FCO minister Lord Howell
George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) - climate change minister Gregory Barker
Sajid Javid (Bromsgrove) - further education minister John Hayes
Mark Menzies (Fylde) - energy minister Charles Hendry
Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) - business minister Mark Prisk
David Rutley (Macclesfield) immigration minister Damian Green
Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) - international development minister Alan Duncan
Anna Soubry (Broxtowe) - health minister Simon Burns
These appointments bring the number of the 2010 intake who have been brought onto the 'payroll vote' to 21.
In total 40 Tory MPs have been made PPSs.
ConservativeHome's Jonathan Isaby said the appointment of new MPs to the first rung of the ministerial ladder has happened with "record speed".
"I suspect the Whips Office are nervous about the independent-mindedness of the Class of 2010 and that this is a way of seeking to keep them in line."
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