10 Jul 2018
Jeremy Wright named new culture secretary as part of "Brexit chaos" reshuffle
BY Tom Walker
Jeremy Wright, the MP for Kenilworth and Southam, has been named Britain's new culture secretary following a tumultuous 24 hours for the Conservative government which saw the resignations of both Boris Johnson and David Davis.
Prime Minister Theresa May was forced to reshuffle her cabinet yesterday (9 July) following the resignations, with Brexit secretary Davis and foreign secretary Johnson both leaving over Brexit negotiations, Johnson saying that the "Brexit dream is dying, suffocated by needless self-doubt".
Matt Hancock, who has been culture secretary for just six months, has been named health secretary, replacing Jeremy Hunt – who in turn has been appointed Johnson's successor at the Foreign Office.
Wright was first elected MP in 2005 at the age of 33 and is a surprise choice for the culture secretary role.
A trained lawyer specialising in criminal law, he has spent the past four years as attorney general for England and Wales and advocate general for Northern Ireland.
This will be Wright's first role within the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Political commentators have pointed out his lack of experience on the "digital" and "media" aspects of the role, with the minister only using the world "digital" twice while speaking in Parliament during his 13-year tenure. He will also oversee arts, sports, and tourism.
"Very excited to be starting a new job this morning as Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport." said Wright. "The DCMS is a department whose work has a huge impact on our heritage, the things we enjoy now and on our national future."
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