Theresa May’s government could be ‘gayest ever’ as out ministers fill ranks
A number of out politicians have been appointed to Theresa May’s frontbench.
The new Prime Minister has been reshuffling her Cabinet and frontbench after taking power.
Though her top team appears broadly more conservative on LGBT rights than her predecessor’s, it also includes a number of out politicians.
In her new Cabinet, Mrs May retains David Mundell as Scottish Secretary, while promoting Justine Greening from to Education Secretary and Equalities Minister. Both Mr Mundell and Ms Greening came out earlier this year.
The PM has also appointed a number of out politicians to prominent roles on her frontbench.
Sir Alan Duncan – who was the first out Tory MP – returns to government as Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Margot James, who in 2010 was the party’s first out lesbian member of Parliament, was appointed as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Nick Gibb, who revealed last year that he planned to tie the knot with his same-sex partner, was re-appointed as Minister of State at the Department for Education.
Nick Boles is leaving the government after serving as Minister of State for Skills.
Though not an official role inside Mrs May’s Government, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson also holds political sway.
The number of appointments makes it the highest number of out politicians to serve under a majority-Conservative government in senior roles.
In a statement to PinkNews, Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “I am delighted to be reappointed as Secretary of State for Scotland, and to have the opportunity to build on my work over the past year.
“The Prime Minister has made it clear we need to unite the country and work for the best interests of everyone in Britain.
“My focus now is to work with the Scottish Government in order to get the best deal for Scotland and the United Kingdom as we leave the EU.”
Margot James: “I am delighted to have been appointed to the ministerial team at the new Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. It is a real honour to serve in Theresa May’s first government, and I really appreciate the trust she has placed in me.
“Thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to post comments and encouragement on this page. I really appreciate your support.”
Nick Gibb said: “I’m delighted to be re-appointed to the Department for Education. Passionate about continuing the drive to improve academic standards in schools.”
Of course, Mrs May had a wide pool to choose from – the House of Commons was itself declared the gayest ever after the 2015 elections.
