Lord de Mauley axed as Defra minister
This article reports the end of Lord de Mauley at Defra. Its good to see someone who really understands rural communities in the person of Rory Stewart getting a role at Defra. I fear the focus on rural communities more generally at Defra is waning as cuts bite and the organisation’s momentum becomes increasingly technical and scientific. The article tells us:
The former minister’s Defra portfolio also concerned the natural environment, including biodiversity, pollinators, land management and soil, ecosystem services and wildlife management and plant and tree health.
Lord Gardiner of Kimble will take up Lord de Mauley’s role as Defra spokesman in the House of Lords. However, Lord Gardiner has not been handed any ministerial duties.
Lord de Mauley’s duties will be divided between the three remaining Defra ministers: farm minister George Eustice, Defra secretary Liz Truss and Rory Stewart, Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border, who was appointed as parliamentary undersecretary of state in David Cameron’s post-election cabinet reshuffle last week.
A Defra spokesman said the department’s ministerial duties would be confirmed by the end of this week. Updates will be posted on the Defra website.
The spokesman added: “Lord Gardiner of Kimble has been appointed as the Lords spokesperson for Defra – portfolios are currently being finalised and will be announced in due course.”
Sweeping cuts to Defra’s budget and personnel have raised doubts about the department’s future and its ability to deal with future emergencies, such as flooding.