Mark Spencer, Boris Johnson's new Chief Whip: 'The buck now stops with me'
Sherwood MP Mark Spencer has said the buck now stops with him after being appointed Government Chief Whip.
Mr Spencer, who was elected MP in 2010, was Boris Johnson’s first appointment as Prime Minister, after winning the Conservative leadership election by a landslide.
He said his new role — arguably the most important in Cabinet — was very similar to his junior position in the Whips’ office for the last two years.
“Being Chief Whip is quite similar, but the buck now stops with me. It is my responsibility to make sure Number Ten is fully informed with the views of backbenchers,” said Mr Spencer.
“Of course it came as a surprise and it is a great privilege to be offered the job. I have clearly only taken the job with Boris as Prime Minister because I have full confidence in his ability.
“I have been working with Boris on his campaign for a long time and was acting as his Chief Whip for a week to ten days before it was made public.
“I am working in London from Monday to Thursday and spending the weekend in Sherwood. It is going to be pretty difficult engaging with everyone in the party but it is important to talk to people and understand their point of view.”
The role of the Chief Whip is to ensure party members adhere to collective responsibility by supporting and voting as its leadership desires.
Despite campaigning for remain in the 2016 EU referendum, Mr Spencer said democracy should be held above all else.
“If the referendum had a clear result, it is our job to deliver on the referendum and I think Boris has a clear vision of how to do this,” he said.
Responding to the possibility of no renegotiation of a Brexit deal, the Sherwood MP said the European Union had not realised the extent to which the government was prepared to go.
He said: “It is easy to say there is no room for negotiation. The country will be able to live with a no-deal if the EU push us into that, but we are doing everything to hopefully find a solution.”
Originally from a farming family, Mr Spencer said it was important to remember where you came from as it was easy to get sucked into the Westminster bubble.
“My constituents keep me sane and informed as to what real people think and bring me back down to Earth,” he said.
“The thing I care about the most is delivering for my part of the country and I will do so by continuing to knock on doors.
“I will use my position in government to bring as much back to Sherwood and Nottinghamshire as possible.”
Working as the Prime Minister’s right-hand man for the last few weeks, Mr Spencer said Boris had impressed him with his clear sense of direction to make positive change.
“The more I see of Boris the more impressed I am. “He has a real political vision and drive to make positive change.
“We are in for some exciting times ahead.”
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