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Record number of Manchester MPs in new cabinet

29/06/2007

Several MPs from Greater Manchester have taken up positions in Gordon Brown's new cabinet after one of the biggest reshuffles in modern times.

Salford MP Hazel Blears has been appointed secretary for communities and local government, while Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly has been chosen to run the Department for Transport.

Ms Blears, who ran for the Labour deputy leadership and lost, said she was "honoured" and promised to help create safer communities, prosperous neighbourhoods and affordable homes.

One of Ms Kelly's responsibilities will be to meet the challenge of rolling out a congestion charge across Greater Manchester, a plan which has met with much opposition.

"The idea is to tackle congestion while managing demand through better public transport," she told the Bolton News.

Meanwhile, Leigh MP Andy Burnham has been named as chief secretary to the Treasury, while Stalybridge and Hyde MP James Purnell has been appointed the new culture secretary.

Mr Purnell will have to work with the new prime minister over the issue of the government's failed gambling legislation, which has temporarily scuppered Manchester's chances of building Britain's first supercasino.

Also attending cabinet meetings will be Stretford and Urmston's Beverley Knight, the new children and youth justice minister.


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