THE daughter of Ugandan Indian immigrants, Priti Patel, has spoken of her “honour” to serve in David Cameron’s government.
Earlier this week, the prime minister promoted his “diaspora champion” in his biggest cabinet reshuffle since being elected.
London-born Patel, the Conservative MP for Witham in Essex, was handed her first ministerial role as exchequer secretary to the treasury.
She replaces David Gauke, who is now financial secretary. The 41-year-old told Garavi Gujarat the appointment was a “continuation of British Indians in politics and public life”.
Cameron, whose reshuffle was aimed at pushing women and Eurosceptics into senior roles with a view to the Conservatives winning the next election, said his new team reflected modern Britain.
There are now five women cabinet members, something which could help to boost the popularity of the party in the run-up to the general elections next May.
The Conservatives have been trailing behind Labour in opinion polls, and the changes are an attempt to address criticism that Cameron’s government was dominated by white, privately-educated, middle-aged men. Patel told GG she would be quite busy in her new role, which will involve responsibility for policy issues including areas of direct taxation, energy, gambling duty, environment and transport taxation.
