Rotherham MP John Healey's political bounce-back with appointment as Chancellor
He has been catapulted back to the heart of Government after being appointed by new Prime Minister
Rawmarsh and Conisbrough MP John Healey has been appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer - just weeks after walking away from his Government job as Defence Secretary.
His appointment is a remarkable political turn-around for the veteran politician.
He left the defence role in a dispute over the spending allocation made to his department - and arguably helped to hasten Sir Kier Starmer’s departure as Labour leader in the process.
But after a few weeks on the back benches, he has been catapulted back to the heart of Government after being appointed by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The Chancellor role is one of the four great offices of state, alongside the PM, Home and Foreign Secretaries, and had been tipped to go to either Doncaster MP Ed Miliband or Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
At this stage, Mr Healey has said little about his appointment, stating: “It is the greatest privilege to be appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer by the Prime Minister.
“Together, we will build a new economy, build new hope and advance the working people of this country.
“Time to get on with the job.”
He proved as good as his word, with the first major financial announcement coming within hours of him taking on the 11 Downing Street job - slashing VAT from electricity bills.
That change will kick in from October and is the first of measures aimed to give the public some “breathing space” from the enduring cost-of-living crisis the country is experiencing.
Mr Healey used social media to explain: “Today’s energy tax cut will give families some breathing room on bills, and provide some reassurance this winter.
“This will be funded from the cancelled Digital ID scheme this year, helping to bring down inflation while supporting households in every postcode.”
His two year tenure as Defence Secretary means Mr Healey is also well placed to understand the pressures on the armed forces at present, as the threat from Russia grows more dominant.
But he will face multiple priorities ahead of the next budget, due in the autumn.
They will include how to grow the economy - needed to bring in more taxes.