'Huge honour' for Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin after her Shadow Culture Secretary appointment

Ms Brabin takes over the frontbench role which was held by former Deputy Leader Tom Watson, who stepped down from politics at the General Election.

The move will see Ms Brabin leave her role as Shadow Minister for Early Years, a post she had held for almost two-and-a-half years.

Tracy Brabin, MP for Batley and Spen and new Shadow Secretary of State for the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: "I am delighted to have been appointed to this new role in the Shadow Cabinet.

“Taking on this role is a huge honour and I want to thank Jeremy Corbyn for putting his trust in me, and Tom Watson for the great work he did in this role previously.

“With more than 30 years’ experience in the creative industries, I feel perfectly placed to hold the Government to account.

“Culture and the arts are my life’s passion, but sport, the media and digital industry are all massively important to British life.

“I’m looking forward to meeting stakeholders and throwing myself into this role.

“A Government that doesn’t invest in culture is a Government disinterested in the wellbeing of its citizens.

“Manifesto pledges made by the Tories include investing in the arts in schools, supporting local libraries and museums and I’ll be holding the government’s feet to the fire to improve the Jobs, opportunities, happiness and wellbeing of the community and its citizens.”

The current Secretary of State for DCMS is Nicky Morgan, who was handed a life peerage after she stepped down at December’s General Election and sits in the House of Lords.