Donelan takes over from Dorries as Culture Secretary

Michelle Donelan has been appointed Culture Secretary to oversee charity, digital, media and sport policy as part of new Prime Minister Liz Truss’ reshuffle.

This is the second cabinet level appointment for Donelan, who had been education secretary for just two days in July, making her the shortest serving cabinet minister in British history.

She takes over from Nadine Dorries, who resigned this week as Truss took over as PM.

Donelan had been appointed to the education brief to replace Nadhim Zahawi, who had been appointed Chancellor by Johnson.

However, she quit less than 36 hours saying Johnson has “put us in an impossible position” after dozens of ministers quit over the former PM’s handling of the Chris Pincher sexual misconduct and Partygate scandals.



Donelan joined parliament as MP for Chippenham, Wiltshire, in 2015 and also served in Johnson’s government as Lord Commissioner of the Treasury and higher and futher education minister. She has also held roles in the whips’ office and was a member of the House of Commons education select committee.

Prior to joining parliament, she worked in magazine marketing, including a stint at Marie Claire.

While sitting as MP for Chippenham she served as a trustee of local charity Help Victims of Domestic Violence.

Voting record

While as an MP her voting record shows she consistently voted for a stricter asylum and refugee system.

She also voted against equal gay rights and laws to promote equality.

In addition, her parliamentary record shows she has often voted against measures aimed at preventing climate change. This includes voting not to require ministers to have due regard for the target of net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050.

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