LABOUR PARTY NAMES BARBARA KEELEY AS ITS NEW SHADOW CHARITIES MINISTER

The Labour Party has appointed Worsley and Eccles South MP Barbara Keeley as shadow minister for arts and civil society, after the position was left vacant for three months due to the resignation of Rachael Maskell who quit the team in December to enable her to vote against laws requiring NHS staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19. 

Barbara has sat on the Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee for the past 2-years.

Upon hearing of her appointment she said charities had a role in creating “a better, more prosperous Britain”. 

She will join the shadow ministerial team which is led by Lucy Powell, the shadow culture secretary.

Powell said Keeley would bring “a strong track record of working with charity and voluntary sectors” to the job.

A 'delighted' Barbara Keeley, said:

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“Charities are a valued and vital part of our national life, working to improve communities, offer people opportunities, and bring our nation together,” she added. 

She criticised the government over its treatment of charities during the pandemic and said she looks forward to working with the sector.
 
“Throughout the pandemic, civil society went above and beyond to support the response to Covid but after a decade of Conservative government neglect, the social sector has been pared back and pushed out, while being left to pick up the pieces of the damage this has caused. 
 
“Labour wants to see a thriving third sector that works to support our public services helping people whom statutory bodies find hard to reach. Civil society are key partners in delivering preventative public services and in creating a better, more prosperous Britain where workers, families and the sector are secure. I look forward to working together to achieve these aims.”