Mondo
New Charities’ Minister means promotion for entire third sector
The creation of a new Charities' Minister post has made voluntary sector leaders happy, as they say the act signals the sector is being taken more seriously.
di Staff
Voluntary sector leaders welcomed the appointment of new charities’ minister Angela Smith last Tuesday and the promotion of her role to a minister of state.
Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, said raising the minister of the third sector from a parliamentary under secretary to a minister of state “reflects the importance of our sector”.
He called on Smith to work closely with the sector. “This is a crucial time for voluntary and community organisations and Angela will need to work closely with us all to support civil society through these turbulent times.”
Stephen Bubb, chief executive of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (Acevo) said Smith’s appointment was “fantastic news for the third sector”.
“I’m delighted. Not only do we have an excellent new minister for the third sector in Angela Smith, but her appointment makes a promotion for the sector,” he said.
Smith, Gordon Brown’s former parliamentary private secretary, replaces Kevin Brennan who has moved to Peter Mandelson’s new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills as part of the cabinet reshuffle.
Although Smith becomes a minister of state, she will not be a full cabinet minister.
Smith, 50, has been the MP for Basildon, Essex, since 1997 when she was first elected to parliament. She was a junior minister at the communities and local government department before becoming Gordon Brown’s PPS in June 2007. She has also been an assistant government whip and a parliamentary under secretary of state for Northern Ireland.
Smith is no stranger to the voluntary sector. She was a member of the all party parliamentary group for charities and the voluntary sector between 1997 and 1999 and before entering parliament was head of political and public relations at the League Against Cruel Sports. She then became research officer to Alun Michael, then shadow minister for home affairs and the voluntary sector, for two years before winning her first seat.
She is patron of many charities including Basildon Women’s Aid, Basildon Citizens Advice Bureau, Essex Coalition for Disabled People, South West Essex Obesity Forum and the Captive Animals Protection Society.
Smith is a dedicated Coronation Street fan and lists her other interests as reading political biographies and diaries and the works and plays of Oscar Wilde. She also enjoys swimming and can occasionally be found at the gym.
Source: Alison Benjamin for The Guardian
