Cramlington and Killingworth MP Emma Foody has expressed her delight after being appointed to a key Government role. The Labour and Co-op MP will serve as an assistant whip, moving from the backbenches to the Government for the first time in her parliamentary career.
Appointment Approved by the King
The appointment was approved by the King on June 12 and came as part of a series of ministerial appointments across the Government made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Ms Foody succeeds Ossett and Deby Dale MP Jade Botterill, who has moved to the Treasury.
First Elected in 2024
Ms Foody, who was first elected at the 2024 General Election, said: “I am delighted to be joining the government and playing my role in ensuring that we deliver the change that people in communities across the Cramlington and Killingworth constituency want to see. I will continue to work hard on behalf of local people to secure this change and to deliver for our communities.”
Role of Whips
Whips enforce the "whip" system, which helps ensure members of parliament vote with the party on key pieces of legislation. Ms Foody will work under the chief whip, currently Jonathan Reynolds.
Reshuffle Triggered by Resignation
The appointments came as an indirect result of the resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey last week over disagreements with the Government's spending plans for defence. The resulting reshuffle saw a number of MPs change roles across defence, the Home Office, DEFRA, and the Whips Office, while others, including Ms Foody, were brought into the Government fold for the first time.
Constituency Victory
Gosforth-born Ms Foody won the Cramlington and Killingworth seat in 2024, the first time the seat was contested following changes to constituency boundaries. She won 49.1% of the vote with a majority of over 12,800 votes. In doing so, she defeated former Blyth Valley MP Ian Levy, who fell to third place behind Reform UK's Gordon Fletcher.
