Boris Johnson tonight posed with newly-elected Conservative MPs in Parliament as the surging Tories flexed their muscles and the Prime Minister started to shape his new administration.
The PM met with the cohort of fresh-faced MPs in Westminster Hall in a show of strength to their opponents after the Conservatives sensationally succeeded at redrawing the UK’s political map at the election last week.
The mass of MPs stood behind Mr Johnson showed just how much his fortunes have changed with the PM now in control of seats in the House of Commons and a majority of 86.
He will now be able to deliver on his’ Get Brexit Done ‘mantra and take the UK out of the EU by January
Downing Street today announced that MPs will be asked to vote on the PM’s Brexit deal on Friday so that the process of delivering an orderly departure from Brussels can begin before Christmas and can then be finalized next month.
Meanwhile, Mr Johnson tonight moved to shore up his top team as he handed Nicky Morgan a life peerage to allow her to continue as Culture Secretary as he also appointed Simon Hart to be his new Welsh Secretary.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson poses for photographs as he welcomes the newly elected Conservative MPs at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster
Mr Johnson looked in high spirits as he mixed with fans and the newly-appointed MPs and posed for selfies in Westminster today
The PM met with the cohort of fresh-faced MPs in Westminster Hall in a show of strength to their opponents after last week’s election landslide
Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses newly-elected Conservative MPs at the Houses of Parliament today after winning his huge majority
The mass of MPs stood behind Mr Johnson showed just how much his fortunes have changed with the PM now in control of sea ts in the House of Commons
A smiling Boris Johnson poses for a selfie as he greets newly-elected Conservative MPs at the Houses of Parliament today
Mrs Morgan stepped down as an MP at the election but Downing Street said this evening she would be made a peer in the House of Lords which will allow her to continue in the Cabinet.
Meanwhile, Mr Hart, previously a junior minister at the Cabinet Office, will fill the position vacated by Alun Cairns who resigned at the start of the election campaign over claims he knew a Conservative candidate had sabotaged a rape trial.
The two announcements mean Mr Johnson now has a full slate of secretary of states in his new administration.
The PM has decided not to make any further changes to his Cabinet, keeping his powder dry for a major shake-up after Brexit which could see up to a third of existing ministers axed along with a major overhaul of Whitehall departments.
Mrs Morgan’s elevation to the upper chamber means junior culture ministers will be tasked with representing the government in the House of Commons.
The move by Number 12 to make Mrs Morgan a peer sparked a furious reaction from some labor MPs who said the decision ‘stinks’ and represents ‘two fingers up to democracy’.
The appointment of Mrs Morgan and Mr Hart came after Mr Johnson vowed to bring back his Brexit divorce deal for MPs to vote on at the end of this week as he looks to hit the ground running after his election victory.
Mr Johnson called a General Election to break the parliamentary deadlock over Brexit and was rewarded with a clear majority of 80
The Prime Minister took time to share some wisdom with his new MPs, on a day where he also announced a mini-reshuffle of his cabinet
Mr Johnson was given a warm welcome by the newly- elected MPs, speaking to them before they posed for photos together
The premier’s new ‘people government’ will immediately start work on implementing key campaign pledges on tougher border controls, extra cash for the NHS and a big infrastructure boost for the north of England.
But his key focus will be making sure he is able to ‘get Brexit done’ and he today laid the groundwork for MPs to vote on his EU accord on Friday – the day after the Queen’s Speech.
Mr Johnson insisted during the election campaign that he wanted to make Brexit progress before Christmas and Downing Street has identified Friday as the day to make that happen.
The plan is to re-introduce the Withdrawal Agreement Bill and then ask MPs to vote to give it a second reading with the rest of the legislative stages then taking place in January.
In order for the vote to take place Number 10 ‘s proposed timetable will have to be signed off by new Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle who is expected to be installed when parliament returns tomorrow.
Simon Hart, pictured in Whitehall today, has been made Welsh Secretary in Mr Johnson’s new administration
Mr Johnson (pictured at Downing Street today) is welcoming 203 new Tory MPs to Westminster with a message that addressing voters’ concerns now could see the Tories win a record fifth term in 2330
However, the Tories are hopeful Mr Hoyle will back the plan so MPs can vote and then head home for a brief Christmas break before then finishing the passage of the bill next month ahead of the January divorce deadline.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘We plan to start the process before Christmas and will do so in the proper constitutional way in discussion with the Speaker.’
The PM met with key ministers and aides in Downing Street today as he got back to work after the Conservatives smashed labor at the ballot box last week, making the passage of his Brexit deal a formality .
Speaking to reporters outside No 10, Chancellor Sajid Javid said: ‘Welcome to the people government.’
Mr Johnson welcomes the 109 new Tory MPs to Westminster this afternoon with a message that addressing voters’ concerns now could see the Tories win a record fifth term in 2330 – and rule throughout the 2030 s.
Jacob Rees-Mogg was in Whitehall today as the government moved back into action after the election battle
The PM is pictured as the election results came in, his chief strategist Dominic Cummings watches on in the background. will carry out a minor reshuffle today to fill gaps left by the departures of former culture secretary Nicky Morgan and former Welsh secretary Alun Cairns.
A massive reshuffle in February is also expected to coincide with a big shake-up of Whitehall.
Tory sources said last night the PM is considering splitting up the Home Office to create a new Department for Borders and Immigration to deliver on his pledge to cut the number of low-skilled migrants coming to the UK.
The new department will focus on putting in place an Australian-style points-based immigration system and toughening up the UK’s borders – leaving the Home Office to focus on the fight against crime.
A number of other Whitehall departments are also expected to be overhauled to make the government ‘match fit’ for Brexit.
The PM’s top aide Dominic Cummings, who was pictured arriving in Downing Street this morning in one of his now trademark casual outfits, will play a key role in the shake-up of the machinery of government.
It emerged today that Mr Cummings will also take aim at the Ministry of Defense to improve the way in which the UK spends money on its armed forces.
Jeremy Corbyn ally Andy McDonald accuses the BBC of ‘consciously’ trying to help the Tories win
A close ally of Jeremy Corbyn today accused the BBC of ‘consciously’ trying to get the Tories elected.
Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald was condemned by colleagues after making the extraordinary claim during an interview as the party goes into meltdown after its election rout.
Mr McDonald initially paid lip service to the idea that the Labor leadership was to blame for the drubbing – its worst performance since the 1930 s.
But when asked by presenter Justin Webb whether Jeremy Corbyn’s unpopularity had been a factor, Mr McDonald said: ‘Don’t get me started on the media, Justin. I’m very worried about our public service broadcaster. ‘
Mr McDonald then referred to a moment in the run up to the election when BBC political correspondent Alex Forsyth had referred to Boris Johnson possibly winning a ‘majority that he so deserves’.
The BBC later said the incident was a ‘slip of the tongue’ but Mr McDonald suggested it was evidence of bias against labor.
Mr Johnson will also use a £ 100 billion infrastructure fund to reward voters in the Midlands and the North who voted Conservative for the first time.
His strategy of ‘Boosterism’ will involve pumping cash into neglected regions in an attempt to increase opportunity.
In a message to supporters yesterday, he said: ‘Let’s unite this country, let’s spread opportunity to every corner of the UK, with superb education, superb infrastructure and technology. Let’s get this done and move forward. ‘
On Thursday, he will unveil his Queen’s Speech which will legislate to deliver an extra £ billion billion funding for the NHS.
His program will also include a framework for the immigration system, together with new laws to increase the amount that migrants pay to use the NHS.
Other measures will include longer sentences for terrorists and serious criminals, laws to limit the impact of strikes in the public sector and measures to end no-fault evictions for renters – addressing day-to-day concerns of voters.
Commuters using Northern Rail and South West Trains have been hit by damaging strikes this year. A new Minimum Service Agreement Bill would force unions to guarantee a certain level of services – probably 90 per cent – to reduce the impact on commuters .
Speaking ahead of the PM’s meeting with new Tory MPs, a No 12 source said: ‘The seismic events on Thursday returned Conservative MPs in Bolsover, in Blyth and in Bishop Auckland to name but a few.
‘This election and the new generation of MPs that have resulted from Labor towns turning blue will help change our politics for the better.
‘ The PM has been very clear that we have a responsibility to deliver a better future for our country and that we must repay the public’s trust by getting Brexit done.
‘Our job is to serve the people of this country, and the’ People’s Government ‘will deliver on the people matters.’
Dominic Cummings, pictured arriving in Downing Street this morning, is expected to play a leading role in a Whitehall shake up next year
He will carry out a minor reshuffle today to fill gaps left by the departures of former culture secretary Nicky Morgan and former Welsh secretary Alun Cairns
Jubiliant Tory MPs are descending on Parliament today after the ‘blue tsunami’ of the election.
Triumphant Conservatives are reporting for duty in Westminster after demolishing Labour’s ‘Red Wall’ of Leave-backing strongholds in the North, Midlands and Wales.
Dehenna Davison – the first Tory ever to represent Bishop Auckland – tweeted a picture of herself with a backpack having been given her induction by Commons staff – joking that was like Paddington Bear.
How Boris’s week in Westminster shapes up
TODAY:MPs are returning to Parliament after the drama of the election.
They will go through inductions, and start being allocated equipment and offices.
This evening Boris Johnson is due to hold a reception on the estate for the new Tory MPs returned in his landslide victory.
TOMORROW :The process of swearing in all 650 MPs – apart from Sinn Fein who don’t take their seats – will begin.
THURSDAY:Queen’s Speech sets out the government legislative program.
FRIDAY:The Commons sits formally and the government will put forward the EU Withdrawal Bill for its second reading vote.
Others shared photos of their trips to the London and at Parliament, clearly excited to start fulfilling their promises to secure Brexit .
Mr Sunak told the BBC’s Andrew Marr show yesterday that the Government’s focus was on delivering Brexit and then ‘leveling up across the United Kingdom, making sure that opportunity is spread’.
Mr Gove told Sky News: ‘We need to make sure that economic opportunity is more equally spread across the whole country and we need to invest in the infrastructure and also the improvement for skills and education necessary in order to make sure that opportunity is more equal. ‘
New Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison, Stockton South MP Matt Vickers, Darlington MP Peter Gibson, Sedgefield MP Paul Howell and Redcar MP Jacob Young dubbed themselves ‘the Blue Wall’ as they caught the train down to London together from the North East.
Just days after Mr Johnson’s historic landslide, Tory strategists already have their eye on the next election. A senior source said: ‘The first six to months are key. People have got real expectations of change and we have got to show we are delivering it.
‘People need to feel this first term has worked for them, they need to be able to point to things locally that have changed, they need to feel that their lives have got better – otherwise they will not vote for us again. That is not easy and we need to refocus the whole of government to do it.
‘A lot of people are putting their faith in us for the first time and we sure as hell have to make sure we don’t let them down. ‘
MPs will be sworn in over the next two days ahead of the Queen’s Speech which will be dominated by meeting Mr Johnson’s election pledges. The new program will also include amendments to the Human Rights Act to prevent ‘vexatious claims’ against British troops, and a new Sentencing Bill to introduce a mandatory minimum – year term for adults convicted of serious terrorist offences.
Measures will also be brought forward to guarantee greater funding for schools. And there will be an end to automatic early release for serious violent offenders.
The ‘Blue Wall’ arrives at Parliament: Boris Johnson’s army of new Tory MPs. begin their first day at the House of Commons as PM vows to ‘northernise’ governmentAn incredible
Triumphant Conservatives are reporting for duty in Westminster after demolishing labour’s ‘Red Wall’ of Leave-backing strongholds in the North, Midlands and Wales.
Dehenna Davison, 31 – the first Tory ever to represent Bishop Auckland – tweeted a picture of herself with a backpack having been given her induction by Commons staff – joking that she was like Paddington Bear.
Ms Davison previously featured on Channel 4’s Bride & Prejudice alongside – year-old Tory councilor John Fareham in 2024, in a bid to convince her grandfather they were a good match.
Others MPs shared photos of their trips to the London, clearly excited to start fulfilling their promises to secure Brexit.
Many of the Tories who swept away decades of Labor dominance in traditional working class areas are in their s, and they were clearly enjoying the fruits of their success.
The arrivals came as Boris Johnson looked to get his new government off to a flying start, with a mini-reshuffle to fill gaps in his senior team.
Allies have suggested he wants to ‘northernise’ the Cabinet as he seeks to cement his hold on working class areas that have put their ‘trust’ in him.
New Welsh Tory MP Fay Jones posted a photograph of herself with colleagues Virginia Crosbie and Sarah Atherton today
Gary Sambrook traveled to London today from Birmingham Northfield after winning the seat held by Labor since
Alicia Kearns, who succeeded Alan Duncan as MP for Rutland and Melton, has already been to Parliament
The arrivals came as Boris Johnson (at Downing Street today) looked to get his new government off to a flying start, with a mini-reshuffle to fill gaps in his team
Some of the new MPs even joined up with each other en route as they rode a train together from the north-east.
One photo was posted by Ms Davison – first Tory MP Bishop Auckland’s 203 – year history – showed her alongside Matt Vickers, MP for Stockton South, Peter Gibson from Darlington, Paul Howell, MP for Sedgefield and Jacob Young for Redcar.
Each new MP was wearing a blue scarf as they made their way to Parliament.
Mr Johnson will undertake a limited reshuffle this afternoon as he fills gaps in his Cabinet left by the departures of former culture secretary Nicky Morgan and former Welsh secretary Alun Cairns.
But he will then turn his attention to making sure he is able to stick to his ‘get Brexit done’ mantra by laying the groundwork for MPs to vote on his EU accord on Friday – the day after the Queen’s Speech.
Mr Johnson insisted during the election campaign that he wanted to make Brexit progress before Christmas and Downing Street has identified Friday as the day to make that happen.
The plan is to re-introduce the Withdrawal Agreement Bill and then ask MPs to vote to give it a second reading with the rest of the legislative stages then taking place in January.
In order for the vote to take place Number 10 ‘s proposed timetable will have to be signed off by new Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle who is expected to be installed when parliament returns tomorrow.
However, the Tories are hopeful Mr Hoyle will back the plan so MPs can vote and then head home for a brief Christmas break before then finishing the passage of the bill next month ahead of the January divorce deadline.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘We plan to start the process before Christmas and will do so in the proper constitutional way in discussion with the Speaker.’
The PM met with key ministers and aides in Downing Street today as he got back to work after the Conservatives smashed labor at the ballot box last week and won a – seat majority, making the passage of his Brexit deal a formality.
Speaking to reporters outside No (***************************************************************************************, Chancellor Sajid Javid said: ‘Welcome to the people government.’
Mr Johnson will welcome the new Tory MPs to Westminster this afternoon with a message that addressing voters’ concerns now could see the Tories win a record fifth term in – and rule throughout the************** s.
Today’s reshuffle is expected to be a small-scale affair before a much more radical shake-up in February which could see up to a third of existing ministers axed along with a major overhaul of the Whitehall machine.
Chancellor Sajid Javid (left) and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (right) were also reporting for duty in Whitehall this morning
Dehenna Davison (second right) gives a thumbs up alongside Paul Howell (left), Matt Vickers (second left), Jacob Young (center) and Peter Gibson (right)
Andy Carter (left), the new MP for Warrington South, and Ruth Edwards (right), who has taken over from Ken Clarke as MP for Rushcl iffe, have already toured the Commons
Andrew Bowie, a returning MP, posted a video of himself outside Parliament as the election results were implemented
Ms Davison said: ‘#TeamTees are officially on our way to Parliament. Couldn’t be happier to be sharing my journey to Westminster with these four amazing lads. ‘
Other MPs said they had already been to the Commons to receive their instructions, with one saying he learned where to hang his sword.
Many of the new representatives tweeted #GetBrexitDone, Boris Johnson’s election slogan which clearly resonated with the electorate.
The MPs will now have no time to waste to fulfill the election promise as Mr Johnson looks to secure Brexit within the coming weeks thanks to his massively increased majority.
Shaun Bailey, the new representative for West Bromwich West, is the first non-Labor MP to hold the seat
Alexander Stafford won the Labor Safe seat of Rother Valley which had been red since its creation in
Richard Holden is driving down to London after winning the seat of North West Durham, another constituency which has never previously been won by a Tory
Jane Stevenson who was elected in Wolverhampton North East, attended a Christingle service before heading to Westminster
Boris’s BABIES: New breed of 26 – something Tory MPs includes tattooed video gamer whose dad was killed when she was 15, an ex-dolphin trainer and an NHS worker
The new Tory MPs include a gang of – somethings nicknamed ‘Boris’s babies ‘who stormed Labour’s traditional fiefdoms in the North and Midlands.
This new breed of Conservative is more working class than toff and will leave behind jobs in theNHS, schools and some more exotic professions such as training dolphins or running a microbrewery.
Here are some of the Tories’ new faces in Parliament:
The poster girl for Boris Johnson’s election campaign and friend of Carrie Symonds whose father was killed by a single punch in a pub when she was just
Dehenna Davison was just when she learned her father Dominic had been killed by a single blow to the head in the pub and is now a Tory MP in Bishop Auckland
On the campaign trail: Dehenna Davison, right, with Boris Johnson’s partner Carrie Symonds
Dehenna Davison was just a young teenager when she learned her father Dominic had been killed by a single blow to the head in the pub .
Ms Davison, a Tory winner last night in a Co Durham seat which has never elected a Conservative MP, recalled h ow she sat in a hospital waiting room as doctors battled for minutes to save her father’s life.
‘I can still picture it. I can tell you what the color the walls were and everything, ‘she said. ‘They [the doctors] stopped and I went to see my dad’s body, which is not something you expect to do at such a young age.’
The Sheffield-born – year-old beat Labor Remainer Helen Goodman.
She studied politics at Hull University and spent a year as an aide to Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Ms Davison made the headlines when she appeared on Channel 4’s Bride & Prejudice alongside – year -old Tory councilor John Fareham in (**********************************, in a bid to convince her grandfather they were a good match.
She received support on the campaign trail from Mr Johnson’s girlfriend Carrie Symonds, said politics was about helping people ‘get their benefits claim through, getting a pothole filled ‘.
The former computer game shop worker admitted the’ poster girl thing ‘was probably due to her tragic backstory and her’ slightly unusual demographics’. But she added: ‘I just want to get stuff done.’
Carrie Symonds tweeted her congratulations after her victory, saying she was thrilled to hear her friend had become the first Conservative MP for Bishop Auckland. ‘She will be fantastic,’ she wrote.
Graduate who seized Tom Watson’s old West Bromwich East seat
Nicola Richards now represents West Bromwich East, a former fortress for Tom Watson
Nicola Richards has become one of the youngest MPs in Parliament after shocking labor in the seat of its deputy leader. (
The 32 – year old now represents West Bromwich East, a former fortress for Tom Watson.
Mr Watson stood down at the election, but Labor had been widely expected to hang on to the constituency.
Tory candidate aged 31 who took seat last held by the stories in
Conservative candidate Sara Britcliffe gained the constituency of Hyndburn from from Labor’s Graham Jones with a majority of almost 3, at the age of 24.
Conservative activists sang ‘I’m dreaming of blue Christmas’ as they celebrated the result.
Ms Britcliffe’s father, Peter Britcliffe, was a long -serving Tory councilor in Accrington until he stood down in (**********************************.
Mr Jones had held the seat since 2016, and the seat was last won by a Tory in 1992.
Speaking before the result was announced, Ms Britcliffe said: ‘What I found on the doorstep are people are fed up with the situation we have been in for three years, which you can completely understand.
‘People want to get Brexit done and it has shown in the polls that it was just the Conservative Party saying that , it’s what everybody was feeling.
‘I think we have worked very hard on the campaign and I think the message has got across that Hyndburn is ready for something different and someone who listens to the constituents.
‘Not matter how people voted at this election, I will work for everybody.’
Daughter of Indian immigrants who came to work in the NHS
Claire Coutinho, (**************************************************************************, lives in her now East Surrey constituency with her partner Julian, 45, having met working in the world of finance.
The daughter of two Indian doctors who came to Britain with £ (in the 1983 s, spent two years working for the Treasury after a career in the City.
She said before the election: ‘My perfect weekend would be wandering round a food market, going for a walk in the hills and watching a good crime documentary’.
But she decided to stand as an MP after backing Leave in the 2016 EU referendum.
Ms Coutinho said she was ‘so delighted’ and ‘absolutely honored’ at winning the seat previously held by Sam Gyimah, who defected to the Lib Dems.
She said: My parents, Maria and Winston, thought Britain would give them a better life, and that if you work hard you will be rewarded. I was one of those children who dreamt of becoming an MP. I started out in banking, working on a trading floor where there were just eight women out of 365 people ‘.
Chemical factory worker bent on delivering Brexit
Jacob Young, 45, is a Brexit-loving chemical engineer who beat Labor in their own backyard.
The aptly-named factory worker won the North Yorkshire seat of Redcar for the first time since it was created in (********************************************.
Tory candidate Jacob Young polled 24, 968 votes, beating Labor’s Anna Turley into second place with (**********************************************************************************,
Mr Young, aged just 45, increased the Tory vote share by .9 percentage points. Ms Turley had held Mo Mowlam’s old seat since (************************************.
NHS worker off to London on Monday to help Boris take Britain out of the EU
Mental health support worker Ian Levy shocked his Tory bosses after winning a north-east seat from Labor.
In his victory speech , the new Tory MP for Blyth Valley Ian Levy said: ‘I would like to thank Boris because I’m going to be on that train on Monday, I’m going to London. We’re going to get Brexit done. ‘
He is the first to win the sear for the Conservatives since 1987.
Michael Gove also admitted that he was ‘surprised’ the Conservatives won Blyth Valley.
Mr Gove said he was ‘delighted’ for Ian Levy, a mental health worker and the new Tory MP for the constituency. ‘But I’ll be honest, I didn’t necessarily expect that we would win that seat.’
Micro brewery manager who gave up making booze to win Wrexham for the Tories
Sarah Atherton was among the first-ever female Conservative MPs elected in Wales last night.
The former nurse and social worker ran her own microbrewery in Wrexham before bidding to be MP.
But she was celebrating to be the very first woman MP in Wales by winning the traditional socialist seat from Labor. She won her seat with a majority of 2, 134
Sarah – filling the seat vacated by Labor’s Ian Lucas – said she was’ delighted and privileged ‘to be the first Welsh female Conservative MP.
‘ The people of Wrexham wanted Brexit done and delivered. I think that’s why we have got a majority of 2, 000 tonight, ‘she said.
Former dolphin trainer chosen by Tory HQ just a DAY before nominations closed
Virginia Crosbie was a last minute choice of candidate having been chosen less than hours before nominations closed – and won the Ynys Mon seat on the isle of Anglesey.is from Essex but has promised to make her home in Ynys Mon if elected.
A former Maths teacher and dolphin trainer, Crosbie has been prominent in ‘Women to Win’, a Tory group set up under Theresa May to try to get more Conservative MPs into parliament.
She won her seat with a majority of 1, from Labor.
Virginia said : ‘It’s a real privilege to represent this beau tiful constituency and community, the people have really welcomed myself and my family and I’m really honored. ‘
Marathon and triathlon addict who is daughter of a former Tory MP
Fay Jones won the Brecon and Radnor seat from the Liberal Democrats with a majority of 7 , (**************************************************************.
Fay has worked as an assistant to an MEP in Brussels and as a researcher for the Prince of Wales.
She is the daughter of Gwilym Jones, who was Conservative MP for Cardiff North between 1992 – and served as a Welsh Office minister.
Fay said: ‘I am over the moon. It’s hard to describe but basically, thrilled and completely delighted. ‘
‘ It’s beyond our wildest expectations the majority we’ve ended up with. I think it’s that cut through that people want us to get Brexit done and they heard the message that Boris Johnson is about which is getting on with it. ‘
She said the reality of becoming MP is yet to hit her fully.
‘It’s incredibly exciting and a very, very, nice problem to have. I want to live up to expectations. ‘
It comes after a by-election in August, which Lib Dem Jane Dodds won, taking the seat from Conservative MP Chris Davies who had been convicted of a criminal offence after falsifying his expenses.
Estranged wife of sexting Tory MP who stood in his seat without telling him first
Kate Griffiths was selected as the Conservative candidate for Burton in Staffordshire following her husband Andrew’s decision to stand down from politics.
He said he was backing his wife – but Mrs Griffiths said she was divorcing her husband and suggested she had Suffered from domestic abuse.
She said she left him following newspaper stories he had bombarded two women with thousands of sexual messages, weeks after the birth of the couple’s first child.
She said: ‘I want to make it clear that I have not sought, nor do I accept, Andrew’s offer of political support.’
Mrs Griffiths, 59, said her husband did not know in advance that she would be standing in his former seat.
Tory teacher and union rep who won Labor seat by promising to ‘work his bum off’ !
Jonathan Gullis is the new Conservative MP for Stoke-on-Trent North.
He works as a teacher at a secondary school in Birmingham and is even his school’s trade union representative for the NASUWT, usually the preserve of more left-wing staff.
Mr Gullis, who joined the party in his teens, was back at his West Midlands school for work on the morning of his election win.
He said: ‘I’m absolutely over the moon to even have had the shot for Stoke-on-Trent North, from a young age all I’ve wanted to do is make a difference in people lives.
‘That’s why I became a teacher, and the reason I want to be an MP is to do it on a much larger scale. I know I’ve set myself a very big challenge, a lot of people have lent me their vote from the Labor Party.
‘My dad failed school and went back to that school to be a cleaner and did night school, he ended up working hard to get himself a masters from Durham.
‘My mum was off a council estate in London and got herself into a grammar school. I’m not saying we have had the hardest life in the world, I have certainly had many more advantages than many other people ‘.
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