News / Politics
Which Bristol MPs could become ministers after general election
After the general election several politicians representing Bristol could become ministers and have major influence in the government.
Labour is predicted to win the general election on July 4, with some of the city’s MPs already serving as shadow ministers.
If Labour win, Keir Starmer could reshuffle positions in the party. But based on their current shadow positions, Bristol MPs could become part of the new cabinet and be secretaries of state.
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This would potentially mean issues facing Bristol getting greater attention from the government.
MPs Darren Jones, Karin Smyth, Thangam Debbonaire and Kerry McCarthy – image: Bristol247
Darren Jones, the Labour MP for Bristol North West, is currently the shadow chief secretary to the treasury, in effect the shadow deputy chancellor.
If Labour wins the general election, as is predicted, he could become the second most powerful politician in the treasury.
Thangam Debbonaire, the Labour MP for Bristol West, is currently the shadow secretary of state for culture, media and sport.
In this general election, her seat is being renamed Bristol Central, where she faces a tough fight against the Green Party’s Carla Denyer. If she wins, Debbonaire could become the culture secretary, with major powers over arts, music and sport.
Kerry McCarthy, the Labour MP for Bristol East, is currently the shadow minister for climate change. She has also previously held a number of shadow minister roles, including for green transport, and shadow secretary for environment, food and rural affairs.
Karin Smyth, the Labour MP for Bristol South, is currently the shadow minister for health. A former NHS boss, she has co-chaired the all-party parliamentary group for choice at the end of life, which supports assisted dying.
If the Conservatives manage to overcome Labour’s giant lead in the polls and pull off a surprising win, then Luke Hall, Tory MP for Thornbury and Yate, could keep his role as minister.
He is currently the minister for skills, apprenticeships and higher education, and has been since March this year. But he faces a tough challenge from the Liberal Democrats’ Claire Young.
Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
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