Another Housing Minister Bites the Dust

Housing minister Mark Prisk has been kicked out of his role in David Cameron’s ministerial reshuffle, having held the title for just over a year, which he took from Grant Shapps. Therefore, we shall find ourselves with a third housing minister in as many years under the Coalition Government. This follows the trend established by the previous Labour Government, who got through nine housing ministers in thirteen years.

His exit is not a surprise to many, although some business leaders are furious over his departure. Prisk chaired the Future High Street Forum, a group of civil servants and retail leaders put together with the aim of regenerating the UK’s struggling high streets. It was set up just six months ago in response to Mary Portas’s high street review. With Prisk’s removal, the future of the group is uncertain.

One anonymous member said, “To take Prisk away so quickly is just ridiculous. We all put in a lot of time into this, and to see that continuity destroyed so quickly is really frustrating. I think there are a lot of questions that need answering.”

Labour too have opted for change, replacing shadow housing minister Jack Dromney with Emma Reynolds.

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