Last week, David Cameron stepped down as Prime Minister after six years in the role. In that time, he led a Government (of which I was proud to be a part) which took our economy from the biggest crash in recent memory to the fastest growing in the G8. His Government cut the deficit by two thirds, and has resulted in 2.5 million more people nationally having the security of a pay packet, with unemployment here in the Forest having more than halved. The introduction of the National Living Wage gave millions of people on low wages a pay rise, while the raising of the tax-free Personal Allowance has lifted 4 million people out of income tax altogether. The United Kingdom is now stronger and better off than it was in 2010, and I thank the former Prime Minister for his leadership and service to our country.
Theresa May will follow in the footsteps of a great, modern Prime Minister and continue to build on the hard work of the last six years. She will lead a One Nation Government committed making Britain a country that works for everyone, whatever your background. This is a vital moment in our country’s history and under the Prime Minister’s leadership we will rise to the challenge, as we forge a bold, new and positive role for ourselves in the world, outside the European Union.
It was an honour and privilege to serve in David Cameron’s Government for most of the last six years. During this time I served as a Minister in the Cabinet Office, the Home Office, the Department of Work and Pensions and most recently as Government Chief Whip, and have helped implement the Conservative policies we were elected on in 2010 and 2015. As you may already know, I have decided to leave the Government. I will continue to serve the people of the Forest of Dean from the backbenches and support the new Prime Minister and her Government as we deliver on both the manifesto we were elected on just over a year ago, and implement the result of the recent referendum.