Two Jewish MPs appointed to junior government roles

Two new Jewish Labour MPs were amongst six new Parliamentary Private Secretaries (PPS) appointed “to support the work of the Labour government”, the party announced yesterday.

Matthew Patrick, MP for Wirral West, was appointed as PPS in the departments for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

He told the JC: “I’m delighted to be appointed to this role, working across DSIT and DCMS. This is an agenda vital to Britain – transforming public services, fuelling economic growth and unlocking creativity by connecting up Britain. I can’t wait to play my role supporting this work.”

In an interview with the JC earlier this year Patrick spoke about “really difficult times” under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of his party and why he decided to stay and fight for what he believed in.

He mentioned his love of bagels with egg mayonnaise and his mother’s latkes and the cinnamon balls.

Josh Simons, the Labour MP for Makerfield in north west England was made PPS for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.

He told the JC he was: “Delighted to be joining the team at Defra at such a vital moment for our seas, rivers, forests and national parks.”

He continued: “For a small island in the Atlantic, Britain has some of the most amazing natural resources, it’s time for us to restore and regenerate but also harness those resources to drive growth and deliver for working people. I’m looking forward to supporting the team to advance their priorities.”

Patrick and Simons join two other Jewish MPs elected at the 2024 general election who have been appointed to government roles.

Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman was made Solicitor General in July and former Camden council leader, and Maida Vale and Queen’s Park MP Sarah Gould was appointed as a Cabinet Office minister around the same time.

There are two Jewish members of the cabinet, Attorney General Lord Hermer – a barrister, former head of chambers at Matrix and congregant at Alyth synagogue – and Energy and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband, the party’s former leader.

Other Jewish government frontbenchers include former Board of Deputies Chief Executive Baroness Merron, who is a health minister and Baroness Anderson, the former MP for Stoke on Trent North, who serves as a government whip in the House of Lords.

Since the 2024 general election, there are a total of 13 Jewish MPs, 12 in Labour and one, Dr Julian Lewis who represents New Forest East, in the Conservative Party.

Peter Prinsley – parliament’s first ever ear nose and throat surgeon – caused a huge upset on election night by winning the previously rock-solid Conservative seat of Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket.

Chelsea’s famous Kings Road is now represented by a Jewish Labour MP Ben Coleman, who swept away former minister Greg Hands.

David Pinto-Duschinsky, the son of Holocaust survivor and occasional JC columnist Michael, has the smallest parliamentary majority of any MP, winning ultra-marginal Hendon by just 15 votes.

Other Jewish Labour MPs include Warrington North’s Charlotte Nichols, Bristol North East’s Damien Egan and Leeds MPs Fabian Hamilton and Alex Sobel.