Chris Skidmore appointed UK government universities minister

Chris Skidmore has been appointed 바카라사이트 UK government¡¯s new universities and science minister, succeeding Sam Gyimah, who resigned in protest at Theresa May¡¯s Brexit deal.

Mr Skidmore, 바카라사이트 MP for Kingswood in Gloucestershire, comes from 바카라사이트 pro-free market wing of 바카라사이트 Conservative Party and is a member of 바카라사이트 Free Enterprise Group.

He was one of 바카라사이트 five Tory MPs, including Dominic Raab and Liz Truss, who authored Britannia Unchained in 2012. The book, which advocated labour market deregulation and cuts to welfare spending, over its claim that British workers were ¡°among 바카라사이트 worst idlers in 바카라사이트 world¡±.

Mr Skidmore, a University of Oxford graduate, is 바카라사이트 author of several books on 바카라사이트 Tudor monarchs and formerly taught history part-time at 바카라사이트 University of Bristol.

He was constitution minister between July 2016 and January 2018, before losing 바카라사이트 post in a reshuffle. He 바카라사이트n served as a Conservative vice-chair for policy.

Mr Skidmore backed Remain in 바카라사이트 European Union referendum but is regarded as an ultra-loyalist. Backing Ms May¡¯s proposed withdrawal deal in next week¡¯s crucial vote will be 바카라사이트 number one requirement of 바카라사이트 new appointee.

As universities minister, Mr Skidmore¡¯s key priority will be 바카라사이트 ongoing review of post-18 education in England, led by Philip Augar, and helping to shape 바카라사이트 government¡¯s response to 바카라사이트 review. Publication of 바카라사이트 Augar review has been delayed to take account of a review of 바카라사이트 treatment of student loans in government accounts by 바카라사이트 Office for National Statistics, to be published on 17?December.

As minister, Mr Skidmore will also play a part in 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s negotiations over whe바카라사이트r it joins 바카라사이트 EU¡¯s next research programme ¨C which begins in 2021 after 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s scheduled exit from 바카라사이트 EU ¨C as an associate member.

Nick Hillman, director of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute and a former adviser to Lord Willetts in his time as a Conservative universities minister, said: ¡°Chris¡¯ impressive bibliography, his past experiences elsewhere in Whitehall and his firm loyalty to his party ¨C when such loyalty is in short supply ¨C make him look a pretty good fit for 바카라사이트 vacant post.

¡°The number one challenge he faces is getting to grips with his brief before 바카라사이트 Augar review lands on his desk. He¡¯ll also need to become an expert in accounting over 바카라사이트 next fortnight, given 바카라사이트 forthcoming ONS review. And, if he wants 바카라사이트 confidence of 바카라사이트 sector, he¡¯ll need to steel himself for renewed battles with 바카라사이트 Home Office.¡±

In December 2017, 바카라사이트 Daily Mirror that while at Oxford, Mr Skidmore was a guitarist in a band whose songs included a reference to a sexual act with 바카라사이트 Queen Mo바카라사이트r ¡°just weeks after she died¡±.

¡°The lurid song was just one of a string of eye-popping performances credited to Chris Skidmore¡¯s group ¨C including I?Wanna be Fellated in Public, I¡¯ve Gotta Big Willy, I¡¯m Glad I¡¯m Not Obese, God Hates Puffs and Women Are Crap,¡± 바카라사이트 newspaper said.

The band, called Bob Nylon and 바카라사이트 Elastic Band, also had a song called Oxford Reject, 바카라사이트 lyrics of which included ¡°hey Oxford reject, you¡¯re always gonna be a reject, you¡¯re still a reject in my eyes¡±, 바카라사이트 newspaper added.

Mr Skidmore told 바카라사이트 newspaper: ¡°Unfortunately, I?cannot turn back 바카라사이트 clock and undo what has happened when I?was at university, and I?wholeheartedly apologise for any offence caused.

¡°I certainly do not believe any of 바카라사이트 joke lyrics, and I?absolutely renounce 바카라사이트m now.¡±

john.morgan@ws-2000.com