Curry leaves shadow cabinet
David Curry has today resigned from the shadow cabinet.
He will be replaced in his role as shadow secretary of state for local and devolved government affairs by Caroline Spelman.
Mr Curry said he decided to quit the shadow cabinet for personal reasons.
His letter of resignation said: “This is entirely for family reasons: there is no political disagreement between us. In my short time in the shadow cabinet [Tory leader Michael Howard has] treated me with unfailing consideration, courtesy and kindness.
“It has been exciting and invigorating to play some role in the resurgence of the Conservative Party under [Mr Howard’s] leadership. I shall continue to support you fully as we set our sights determinedly on victory at the next general election.”
Mr Howard described Mr Curry’s contribution to the party as “immense” and thanked him for his “tremendous work.”
Mr Curry, who was educated at Oxford and Harvard, was appointed as local government and devolved affairs minister in November last year. He was one of the MPs who wrote to the chair of the Tory back bench 1922 committee calling for a vote of no confidence in Iain Duncan-Smith.
Ms Spelman said of her appointment: “I am delighted to be joining Michael Howard’s shadow cabinet. This is a hugely important policy area where we have many opportunities to make our case, and to expose the failings of a discredited government.”
Ms Spelman was previously shadow secretary of state for the environment and shadow minister for women. She was elected to parliament in 1997.
As a result of this change, Richard Ottaway also moves to the front bench to become shadow secretary of state for the environment.
