Boateng to step down
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Paul Boateng, has announced that he will be stepping down at the next election.
Mr Boateng has been appointed the UK’s new High Commissioner to Pretoria, South Africa.
He will remain Chief Secretary to the Treasury and MP for Brent until the general election before taking up his post in South Africa – assuming that Labour wins.
Originally on the far-left of the Labour Party, Mr Boateng – a former barrister- has evolved into a central figure for New Labour, trusted widely by the leadership.
He served in the Home Office from 1998 to 2001 before being promoted to Financial Secretary to the Treasury and then Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2002, becoming the first black person to serve in the Cabinet.
First elected to Brent South in 1987, Mr Boateng was also the first person of African descent to be elected to the British Parliament.
Tony Blair said that Mr Boateng had been “both a valued colleague and a trusted friend for many years” and has made an “immense contribution to public life in Britain”.
The Prime Minister added: “He will make an outstanding High Commissioner, building on the work of his predecessor and working with the South African Government to ensure that the priorities of the Commission for Africa are carried forwards. Paul’s professional and personal experience of Africa and his close involvement in the British Government’s international development agenda will ensure that the close friendship that binds our two nations will be strengthened and deepened.”
Chancellor Gordon Brown, congratulated Mr Boateng on his new appointment and said he would continue to work with him on African affairs.
Mr Brown, said: “I congratulate Paul on his new appointment. He has displayed huge dedication to the cause of African development for many years and it is fitting that, in this year of challenge and opportunity for the African continent, Paul has been given such a pivotal role in our fight against poverty and injustice. I look forward to continuing to work with Paul on this vital agenda”.
He added that Mr Boateng’s contribution to the Treasury had been “exceptional” and it had been a “privilege” to work closely with him.
Mr Boateng added that it had been a “personal honour” to be a member of the Treasury team and “to play a part in ensuring that our economy remains strong and that our programme of investment in and reform of public services delivers real and lasting improvement for all”.
He added: “I am honoured to be asked to take on this role, especially as it comes at such an integral time for our relationship with South Africa and the African continent. There shall be many new challenges and opportunities ahead and I look forward to embracing them with great anticipation.”
