Eastbourne MP lands job at government department

George Eustice with caroline Ansell when he visited Eastbourne to look at the propsed Fishing Quay at sovereign Harbour SUS-200225-131920001

She has been appointed as parliamentary private secretary to Environment, Food and Rural Affairs secretary George Eustice.

The unpaid promotion means Mrs Ansell, who regained the seat in last December’s elections, will become what she described as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the minister in parliament and liaise with MPs on his behalf.

She said, “I’m really pleased to have been given this role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs because Eastbourne will benefit as it is a coastal and a rural constituency.

“With the Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment Bills being going through this parliament it’s also going to be a very interesting job and one where I will learn a great deal.

“DEFRA is driving through these landmark pieces of legislation to protect our environment, tackle plastic pollution, improve air and water quality and incentivise our farmers to enhance soil quality and further raise environmental and animal welfare standards.

“These are issues at the heart of what many Eastbourne and Willingdon residents care about and they will very much tie in with the town’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030.”

A private parliamentary secretary is not technically part of the government however, they are expected to support it in votes and must resign if they vote against the government.