North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse to 'steady the ship' in new Cabinet role

North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse has said he will “work round the clock to steady the ship in government” after being appointed as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Mr Malthouse, previously the Policing Minister, was appointed to the role after the incumbent Steve Barclay was appointed Health Secretary.

The role is a promotion to the Cabinet for Mr Malthouse for the first time, although he attended Cabinet meetings previously as Minister of State for Crime and Policing.

His responsibilities include advising the Prime Minister on policy, chairing and deputy chairing Cabinet committees and providing oversight to all Cabinet Office policies.

Speaking after his appointment, he said: “While my party decides on a new leader, we have a duty to get on with the job of governing the country, and to put our shoulder to the wheel if we are asked to serve.

“I was asked, and I will roll my sleeves up and do my best to steady the ship at a time of political transition.”

Posting on Twitter, he said while he was “dismayed about the circumstances and manner” of Boris Johnson’s resignation, he thought he’d made the “right decision”.

He continued: “Over the coming weeks, I will be preparing government for the arrival of the new Prime Minister, building a delivery engine for their priorities and making sure we don’t take our eye off the big challenges facing us as a country – dealing with the cost of living, growing the economy, standing up to Putin’s aggression, and moving on from the pandemic.

“When the new Prime Minister walks into Downing Street in September, he or she will pick up a steady and fully functioning operation, and will be ready to hit the ground running from day one.”

He has yet to announce who he’s supporting in the leadership contest.