Stourbridge MP misses out in cabinet reshuffle

MP Margot James has said she will continue working hard for her constituents after failing to get promoted in the Cabinet reshuffle.

A raft of women have been given new positions in David Cameron's reshuffle but although she was tipped for a top job Miss James was not included.

As some of Mr Cameron's long-serving male staff were axed, Nicky Morgan was made Education Secretary and Liz Truss appointed Environment Secretary.

After the announcements had finished being made by Number 10, Stourbridge MP Miss James said: "I think a lot of very good people are being given positions, which is a good thing.

"I am pleased to see more women in Government.

And she took a pragmatic view to being overlooked.

"Not everyone can be in Government, but I welcome all the support I have," she said.

"I've got a very good job to do representing Stourbridge and all the trade work that I do, and I will carry on doing that."

Miss James had been receiving a lot of support within political circles, particularly on social media.

Former Conservative MP Louise Mensch had been hoping to see a promotion for Miss James.

From her Twitter account @LouiseMensch she wrote: "It seems churlish after so many superb appointments but Margot James MP is just first rate, brain, presence, experience, loyalty, everything."

Journalist Charlotte Henry wrote: "Does look like we're going to see another Tory reshuffle without Margot James moving up though...bizarre."

Meanwhile Tim Shipman, political editor at The Sunday Times, added: "What, pray, has Margot James done wrong?"

In the biggest cabinet reshuffle of Mr Cameron's tenure, Michael Gove was ousted as Education Secretary and demoted to Commons Chief Whip, while William Hague announced he was moving from his position as Foreign Secretary to become Leader of the Commons.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has been promoted to replace Mr Hague, while Michael Fallon will replace him.

Liz Truss became the youngest member of the cabinet at 38 when she replaced Owen Paterson as Environment Secretary, while employment minister Esther McVey stays in her role but will attend cabinet meetings.

Elsewhere, veteran Ken Clarke has given up his seat at the cabinet table as a minister without portfolio and Welsh minister David Jones is out.