Worcester MP Robin Walker 'delighted' county colleague is new chancellor

And Robin Walker said he was waiting by the phone last night waiting to see if he had a new role in Boris Johnson’s government.

After entering Number 10 on Wednesday Mr Johnson quickly embarked on a major cabinet reshuffle in which Mr Javid, former Home Secretary and Bromsgrove MP, got the position known as most powerful after the Prime Minister.

Mr Walker said: "I was one of the people who backed him in the leadership campaign, so now to see him get the second highest job in the government is great news for the county.

"I look forward to working with him."

The reshuffle was continuing yesterday and Mr Walker, speaking before our deadline, said he was waiting for news on whether he would be staying as a minister in the Department for Exiting European Union or moving on.

He first took the position as Brexit Minister in July 2016 and at three years he has been the longest serving in the department that has seen a number of changes.

Mr Walker said: "I am happy to continue the work, I have always said I would want to work to get a deal.

"I would not have been happy to stay if it (the department) focused on no deal, but the no deal preparations have been moved to Mr Gove's office (the Cabinet Office) now.

"Mr Johnson has said he wants to leave with a deal, and it is right we do everything we can to leave with a deal."

Mr Walker added he had already written to new Health Secretary Matt Hancock requesting that the 20 new "hospital upgrades", pledged by the new PM, would include Worcestershire hospitals.