Lord Taylor to be DEFRA spokesman

DEFRA has appointed a new spokesman to the House of Lords.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach will represent the department during discussions and debates in the house as under secretary of state.

Lord Taylor began his parliamentary career in 2006, having been made a life peer as Baron Taylor of Holbeach of South Holland in the County of Lincolnshire.

He has been government spokesman for the Cabinet Office, Energy and Climate Change, and joined the Work and Pensions department in 2010.

He has also served as a whip in the House of Lords. He was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1992 for political service, and served as chairman of the National Conservative Convention from 2000 to 2003.

The Country Land and Business Association welcomed the new appointment

CLA president William Worsley said: “Lord Taylor proved himself very able when he held the DEFRA portfolio in opposition. He is a rural businessman who understands how the countryside works. I have no doubt he will be a huge success as a minister.”

Outgoing minister Lord Henley will move to become minister of state at the Home Office.