Junior minister ‘delighted’ with new FCO job
(CNS): The new man at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office who is now in charge of the overseas territories has spoken of his delight at joining the Cabinet. The conservative MP for Boston Mark Simmonds was made a junior minister by the prime minister in the recent reshuffle. Simmonds had missed out on a post in the coalition government after the election having been a member of the shadow cabinet but David Cameron brought him into the fold earlier this month with the job of Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
“I am delighted to have been asked by the Prime Minister to serve in his Government,’ he said in a recent statement. “There are still many difficult decisions to be made but I am thrilled to be able to make a contribution by improving our relations overseas and ensuring the UK’s interests are protected,” he added.
Simmonds is also responsible for Africa, international energy, consular services, the Caribbean, FCO protocol, conflict issues, climate change and overseas territories.
The new minister also stated that he was pleased with the latest FCO policy to celebrate the OTs by flying their respective flags on significant days marking the new era of positive engagement with Britain and the territories
“The Government is determined to show our commitment to this relationship in a year which has seen a number of important landmarks, including the publication of the White Paper,” he said.
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Mark Simmonds is responsible for climate change? I for one am glad that they started naming individuals instead of just saying the human race.
Re: "Simmonds is also responsible for Africa, internationalenergy, consular services, the Caribbean, FCO protocol, conflict issues, climate change and overseas territories."
Really?!
Wow … he must be some kinda' wonderful!
The British government never fails to amuse me.
Interestingly, Mark Simmonds' constituency is literally only just up the road from where Henry Bellingham is based. On a good day you can drive to Boston, Lincs from Kings Lynn in under an hour. I've done the trip many times.
I'm hearing very good feedback about him and look forward to the re-scheduling of the 11 September meeting that was originally arranged with Mr Bellingham before the OT Minister post was re-assigned.
Reply to 09:10 Boston is in England!!
Someone didn't get the sarcasm memo, did they?
Why shouldnt he be happy? He will get to visit such exotic places like the Cayman Islands, go back with a tan to that well known weather of the UK.
I dont blame him for being overjoyed, I havent seen anyone from the UK who came here that didnt want to stay. After all we live better than them.
Is a Junior Minister in the UK equivalent to the position Ellio holds?
Ellio is the Minister of Propaganda. He suits the jack boots and haircut.
Yes, but in the UK they have to have some common sense.
He sure lacks common sense.
Not really..hellio is the equivalent to a local parish councillor in the UK!
Boston? Why not get someone from England?
🙂
Oh Dear!
You sure brought laughter to my morning…
http://www.bostonuk.com/
It is that sarcasm font problem again.