Oliver Dowden named new Secretary of State for DCMS

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle has seen Oliver Dowden MP appointed Secretary of State for Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, replacing Nicky Morgan in the role.

Dowden, Member of Parliament for the Hertfordshire constituency of Hertsmere since 2015, previously served as Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office since July 2019, and before that as Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office from January 2018.

He becomes he eighth MP to take on the DCMS brief since 2012.

Dowden replaces Nicky Morgan, who was appointed Culture Secretary since July 2019. While Morgan did not stand as an MP at last December’s General Election, she was named a Life Peer, sitting in the House of Lords to retain the post.

This was always seen as a short-term measure, with reports at the time suggesting that Johnson was to embark on a major restructuring of government departments. Commentators claimed this was likely to see DCMS merged with another department.

However, in the reshuffle that began today (February 13), the Prime Minister instead made a number of personnel changes as opposed to a total overhaul.

Helen Whately, who was appointed to the arts, heritage and tourism brief in September last year, with direct responsibility for gambling, appears set to continue in her role.

Image: Gov.uk