Ian Lavery has been appointed shadow minister for trade unions and civil society, the Labour Party announced this afternoon.
Lavery is the MP for Wansbeck in Northumberland, and was elected to Parliament in 2010. He was re-elected in 2015 with a majority of more than 50 per cent.
In a statement on his website he said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been asked to serve on the front bench, in a brand new position that is extremely close to my heart. This Cabinet Office brief, as shadow minister for trade unions and civil society, is an honour to take on and will build upon existing relationships and develop many more.
“Politics across the UK has been set alight by the election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party. With over a quarter of a million people voting for his leadership, Jeremy has achieved a mandate that many could only dream of. We need to build on this and involve all areas of society in determining a fairer more equal future of our country.
“This is a chance to do politics in a different way. It is a chance to work with the trade unions to enhance the engagement of their members in politics and support the link between them and the Labour leadership. It is a chance to work to promote the Labour Party’s engagement with wider civil society and the participation of community organisations in politics.
“I am honoured to have been asked to take on this brief and look forward to supporting the leader, deputy leader, shadow first minister and the frontbench team as we look to build a strong opposition to the disastrous and deepening austerity policies being pursued by the Conservative government.”
Lavery got involved with politics through the union activism following the miners’ strike in the 1980s and is chair of the Trade Union Group of Labour MPs.
He is a member of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee and also serves on the Regulatory Reform Select Committee.
He has never rebelled against the Labour whip and has only mentioned charity twice in the last two years in his speeches in Parliament, according to TheyWorkforYou, which tracks MPs' behaviour. He spoke several against the introduction of the Lobbying Act.
He is a trustee of the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation in the North East area, the Northumberland Aged Mineworkers' Homes Association, the Hirst Welfare Centre and the Woodhorn Colliery Museum.
He is also a patron of brain injury charity Headway for South East Northumberland as well as the Wansbeck Disability Forum, and is chair of both Ashington Community Football Club and the Hirst Welfare Centre. He is also chairman and trustee of the world famous Pitman Painters.
Veteran leftwinger Jeremy Corbyn was elected as Labour leader last weekend.
Lisa Nandy, former shadow minister for civil society, has been promoted to Shadow Energy Secretary.
Sector responds
In response to the appointment, Jay Kennedy, director of policy and research at the Directory of Social Change, said that it is important that "the added responsibility for trade unions doesn’t come at the expense of charity policy".
He also said: "We don’t know him but it’s good to see that Ian Lavery has some experience as a trustee of different charities.
"He has been appointed at a critical time for the sector. The Charities Bill, which holds some real threats to the sector’s independence, is now making its way through the Commons, as well as whatever happens with the fundraising review. His predecessor Lisa Nandy has a deep knowledge of the issues and Mr Lavery will need to quickly get to grip with his new brief to hold the Government to account."
Acevo's director of policy, Asheem Singh, said that the organisation is looking forward to working with Lavery and that the sector has "never been so challenged with debates ranging from regulation to funding".
He said: "Now, more than ever we need to think differently. As social leaders, we need our political leadership to join with us in thinking innovatively about the major issues facing our communities.
"[Lavery's] acceptance statement also refers to the opportunity for Labour to engage with wider civil society and the participation of community organisations in politics, and the involvement of all areas of society in determining a fairer and more equal future. Lavery can show his commitment to this by arguing for a far stronger role for charities in the provision of public services. We look forward to having that discussion with him."
Singh urged that Lavery stands behind the campaign to repeal the Lobbying Act.
Chloe Stables, head of external relations at NCVO, said: "We welcome Ian Lavery to his role. We look forward to working with him to highlight the important role that charities play in society, and finding ways to increase the impact of voluntary action even more."
Additional reporting from Alice Sharman.
