The MP for South Northamptonshire was in the final two in the Conservative party leadership contest, but withdrew earlier in the week allowing Theresa May to replace David Cameron as party leader and Prime Minister.
Leadsom previously served as Minister of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change from May 2015, as well as Economic Secretary to the Treasury from April 2014, and during the EU membership referendum campaigned on the “leave” side.
She studied Political Science at Warwick University and worked in the financial sector for 25 years before being elected to Parliament in 2010.
Earlier in the day, former Defra secretary Lizz Truss was appointed as Justice Secretary in the reshuffled cabinet. The South West Norfolk MP had been Defra secretary for two years and, during her tenure, received criticism from farmers following major delays in basic payments.
During the EU membership referendum, she campaigned on the remain side, whereas Defra Farm Minister George Eustice campaigned to leave the EU.
Sad to be leaving Defra after two fantastic years. Great team and loved working with farmers, food producers and environmental groups.
— Elizabeth Truss (@trussliz) 14 July 2016
Meanwhile, National Farmers’ Union president Meurig Raymond has written to Prime Minister Theresa May to call for her government to develop a new policy for agriculture in the UK post-Brexit.
“The NFU looks forward to helping your government for a new agricultural policy which encourages growth, innovation, productivity and profitability,” he said.
Raymond said that there was “huge potential for growth” in agriculture in the UK due to a growing population, declining self-sufficiency, new export markets and an interest from the British public to see a productive farming industry.
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