A Dumfries and Galloway MP has been appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the leader of the House of Lords.
The promotion comes only 14 months after Alister Jack gained the Dumfries and Galloway constituency from the SNP with a 5,643 Conservative majority.
Mr Jack, who lives near Dumfries, is married with three grown-up children.
He was said this week to be ‘thrilled’ to have been appointed to the role by the Prime Minister.
As PPS he will play an important liaison role between the Commons and Lords, particularly with key Brexit legislation coming forward in the coming months.
The Lords have a vital role in scrutinising legislation and have already played an important part in overcoming Parliamentary hurdles.
Mr Jack will work with the Whips’ offices in both Houses during what will be an historic period at Westminster and for the country.
His role is to advise the Leader of the Lords and the Front Bench on what is happening in the Commons in terms of Parliamentary business.
This includes providing an up-to-date assessment of the Parliamentary party, reporting on what is coming up and how it fits into the Government’s legislative agenda.
In what is a two-way process, he will also relay what the Lords are thinking back to the Government.
Mr Jack hopes his additional responsibilities will give him even greater opportunity to raise awareness of constituency issues at UK ministerial level.
He said: “My first priority will always remain the people of Dumfries and Galloway and I’m honoured to be playing this role at such a crucial time for our country.”
