Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has appointed former shadow education minister Pat Glass as shadow education secretary following the resignation of Lucy Powell.
Ms Glass, MP for North West Durham, is one of a number of new appointments following the continuing mass resignations of Mr Corbyn’s shadow cabinet yesterday and today.
It comes after Thursday’s referendum vote, which saw the UK vote to leave the European Union leading to the resignation of prime minister David Cameron.
Ms Glass, aged 59, was elected to parliament in May 2010, following a career working in local education authorities. She is an expert on special educational needs and has advised the government and councils across Yorkshire and the Humber.
Her special interest is in education, and she was a member of the education select committee from July 2010 until March 2015.
In September 2015, she was appointed shadow education minister with responsibility for childcare by Mr Corbyn following his election as Labour leader, at the same time that Ms Powell was appointed shadow education secretary.
Ms Glass was promoted to shadow Europe minister following Mr Corbyn’s reshuffle on January 5.
Ms Powell was among 12 shadow cabinet members to resign on Sunday citing concerns about Mr Corbyn’s leadership. A further five shadow ministers have so far reportedly stepped down this morning.
In her resignation letter to Mr Corbyn, Ms Powell reportedly wrote: “Given the big challenges faced by our country and our party over the coming months, and the possibility of an imminent general election, I do not have the confidence that you can bring the party together, lead us to a general election and be an effective opposition.”
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