Labour has appointed a new shadow culture minister for England in what is likely to be the party’s last reshuffle in the run-up to the 2015 general election.
Helen Goodman, who is MP for Bishop Auckland in Durham, will replace outgoing shadow minister Dan Jarvis.
Goodman was first elected to parliament in 2005 and served as minister at the Department for Work and Pensions in the final years of the previous Labour government.
Earlier in her career she worked as a civil servant at the Treasury and acted as director of the Commission on the Future for Multi-Ethnic Britain.
Goodman has shown an interest in cultural affairs in her constituency; she currently serves as a trustee for Auckland Castle Trust and in 2010 played a significant role in a successful campaign to prevent the castle’s Zurbaran paintings from being sold.
Goodman cites the environment, children’s issues, human rights and international development as her main political interests.
She said in a tweet earlier this week that she was "absolutely delighted" with her appointment.
Her brief as shadow culture minister will include museums, galleries, heritage and the creative industries.
Helen Goodman, who is MP for Bishop Auckland in Durham, will replace outgoing shadow minister Dan Jarvis.
Goodman was first elected to parliament in 2005 and served as minister at the Department for Work and Pensions in the final years of the previous Labour government.
Earlier in her career she worked as a civil servant at the Treasury and acted as director of the Commission on the Future for Multi-Ethnic Britain.
Goodman has shown an interest in cultural affairs in her constituency; she currently serves as a trustee for Auckland Castle Trust and in 2010 played a significant role in a successful campaign to prevent the castle’s Zurbaran paintings from being sold.
Goodman cites the environment, children’s issues, human rights and international development as her main political interests.
She said in a tweet earlier this week that she was "absolutely delighted" with her appointment.
Her brief as shadow culture minister will include museums, galleries, heritage and the creative industries.
