John Glen: 'Salisbury remains my priority' despite Cabinet role
Salisbury's MP has been appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Salisbury's MP says he will remain focused on Salisbury and local issues, after being given a Cabinet role by the new Prime Minister.
Rishi Sunak rewarded John Glen for his loyalty last night (Tuesday 25th October), in naming him Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
That's essentially a Deputy Chancellor role.
Mr Glen and Mr Sunak previously worked together in the Treasury when the new PM was serving as Chancellor and Salisbury's MP was Economic Secretary and City Minister.
Our city's MP has welcomed the appointment of Rishi Sunak in his latest blog.
In it he offers his congratulations and looks to the future:
"I now very much look forward to a prolonged period of stability and sober, sensible government.
"As I have said before, this country and the whole world face unprecedented economic challenges at the moment, which mean that we need a Prime Minister who fully grasps the multidimensional complexity of the issues and understands what is at stake."
"I have witnessed and long admired Rishi’s integrity, capability and seriousness of purpose.
"His principal quality is that he is completely dependable, and, in my view, that is precisely what the country needs right now.
"I am confident that he is a leader who can restore the Conservative reputation for economic competence, while putting the needs of the most vulnerable first."
Reassurance to Salisbury residents
John Glen goes on to say that despite his new role in the Treasury, he will still be working for Salisbury constituents.
He says he was 'pleased to accept' the Chief Secretary role, admitting it will be 'very challenging', but he says:
"I want to stress that Salisbury remains my priority - it is my home and being the constituency MP is what I focus on first and last every day. Surgeries and normal routines will apply on Fridays, weekends and in recesses, but when in Westminster my time will be spent (mostly) in HM Treasury."
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio before the appointment was made, he also made that clear:
"I'll be happy to serve in any capacity but my primary responsibility, as it always has been over the last 12 years, is to serve the people of Salisbury as their MP and whatever role I may or may not have, that's always my priority.
"Salisbury residents have concerns around interest rates, how high they will go up, concerns about what's happening in Ukraine, as well as the fact that public services are under a lot of strain. These are ongoing problems which can't be solved in one moment and will need determined action by the Government."