New Labour MPs and former Darlington MP get Government jobs

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer continues to appoint MPs to Government jobs two weeks after becoming PM.

Blaydon and Consett MP Liz Twist has been appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to Sir Keir Starmer. It means Twist will be working closely with the PM.

She posted on X (formerly Twitter): “It's great to have been asked to serve as PPS to the Prime Minister.

“It's exciting to have the opportunity to play a part in delivering our Labour programme for Change across the country and in Blaydon and Consett.”

Liz Twist, MP for Blaydon and Consett and new PPS to Sir Keir Starmer. (Image: Liz Twist)

Twist was previously MP for Blaydon before the constituency took on part of the former North West Durham seat under boundary remapping.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir appointed long-time friend and former MP for Darlington Baroness Jenny Chapman as a junior Foreign Office minister.

Baroness Chapman chaired Sir Keir’s campaign for the Labour leadership in 2020 and later served as his political secretary despite losing her seat in the 2019 election.

Sir Keir with Jenny Chapman in Darlington in 2019. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Parliamentary newcomers Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor MP Alan Strickland and Cramlington and Killingworth MP Emma Foody also both landed jobs as Parliamentary Private Secretaries in the Department for Education.

Alan Strickland, MP for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Mr Strickland wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Honoured to be appointed a Parliamentary Private Secretary to help Bridget Phillipson and her team deliver Labour’s ambitious agenda.”

Meanwhile Ms Foody said: “Delighted to be joining Bridget’s brilliant education team.

Emma Foody, MP for Cramlington and Killingworth. (Image: LDR)

“A core mission of this Labour government is to break down the barriers to opportunity, and I’m looking forward to playing my part.”

The Department is already headed-up by Houghton South and Sunderland MP Bridget Phillipson.