Politics: Who’s Who In Government Shake Up

Last night Ed Miliband revealed his new front bench team, boasting 14 Women in his middle ranks and the demotion of three leading Blarites.

by Becky Graham | 8th October 2013

The Liberal Democrats, too, sprung a change which succeeded in infuriating Home Secretary Theresa May, in the firing of Home Office Minister; Jeremy Brown, who has been a leading advocate of the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition.

Whilst the Prime Minister, David Cameron, attempted to change his public profile by inducting more women into his ranks. Esther McVey, MP for Wirral West since 2010 and former journalist, is promoted to Employment Minister and will be responsible for having to defend the Work Programme. Nicky Morgan, MP for Loughborough, joins the Treasury; Anna Soubry becomes the first woman MP to be appointed to the Ministry of Defence and Jane Ellison, MP for Battersea, becomes Public Health minister where she will be responsible for the enforcement of plain cigarette packets and minimum alcohol prices becoming legislation.

In the role of Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, and replacing Yvette Cooper who remains Shadow home Secretary, is former GMTV political Editor, and 2008 FHM 85 sexiest women in the world; Gloria de Perio.

In 2010 de Piero left her position at GMTV in order to run as the Labour Party candidate for the Ashfield constituency. The seat had become available following the news that the former Defence Secretary; Geoff Hoon, would be stepping down. She won the election by a narrow margin, with the second largest swing vote in the 2010 election and was elected to the Progress Strategy board in 2012

Ms de Piero voted in favour of the amending Children and Families bill including statutory Personal; Social, Health and Economic Education making it mandatory for teachers to inform pupils about same-sex relationships. The measure was, however, voted down.

Whilst the reshuffle amongst the Conservative ranks may be designed to show the party as a less male dominated group, the reforms under Miliband may prove more politically significant. The demotion of three leading Blarites, demonstrates Milibands view of a new party and a new beginning, with Rachel Reeves taking on the role of Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary; one of the toughest roles in the cabinet.

Miliband also announced the team which will run the 2015 election.

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