Steve Double MP steps down from government
The MP for St Austell and Newquay has resigned from his role as lord commissioner of the Treasury in the government’s whips office
Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay, Steve Double, has resigned from his role as lord commissioner of the Treasury in the government’s whips office, following the Prime Minister’s government reshuffle.
Mr Double made the decision in the summer to step down in the next reshuffle, which the Prime Minister carried out on Monday, and will now return to the backbenches.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, he wrote: "As your reshuffle of government is underway, I wanted to take this opportunity to confirm in writing the decision I informed the Chief Whip of back in September, at the end of the summer recess. That is that I have decided it is time for me to leave government and return to the backbenches.
"It has been a huge honour to serve as a member of government under your leadership and previously Boris Johnson’s. From being the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Health Secretary throughout the COVID pandemic, an Assistant Whip through 2021/22, a Minister in DEFRA and most recently a Lords Commissioner in your Whips Office, I have witnessed, close up, some of the most challenging and turbulent times any government has faced. I have always given my best to be a supportive and constructive part of government and have thoroughly enjoyed the past few years.
"However, I believe it is now time for me to return to the backbenches. This is very much a personal decision based on what is right for me, as well as my family and constituents.
"I remain committed to supporting you and your government as we work towards the general election next year. I look forward to doing this from the backbenches and of course speaking up for and representing the people of Mid-Cornwall, which as always is my priority."
Mr Double commented: "I have always said that being the Member of Parliament for my home constituency was the greatest honour I could imagine, anything else was always a bonus.
"I now look forward to returning to the backbenches and continuing to be the strong Cornish voice in Westminster we need."