What Anna Gelderd’s Foreign Office role means for Cornwall

The MP for South East Cornwall has picked up a new job at the heart of Britain’s dealings with the rest of the world. Anna Gelderd has been appointed as a Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, moving across from a similar role in the Energy Department.

What the new job means

A Parliamentary Private Secretary, or PPS, works closely with government ministers and acts as a link between them and backbench MPs. Anna Gelderd will now do that work inside the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the department that handles the UK’s diplomacy, security relationships and international development.

“I am honoured to have been appointed as a Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office,” she said.

She set out how she sees the department’s task. “The first job of any government is to keep us safe and prosperous in a complex world that can be volatile. To protect our interests here at home, we must work with our international allies and partners to strengthen our defence, security and economic development.”

Cornwall’s global story

Anna made the case that Cornwall has always looked outward, and she reached back into its history to do it.

“Cornwall has always had a global story to tell. From miners spreading our culture and traditions across the world, to our beautiful coastline attracting visitors from every corner of the globe, to our businesses driving innovation internationally, we have so much to be proud of, challenges to overcome and opportunities to grasp.”

Keeping the focus local

Before this appointment, Anna served as a PPS in the Energy Department. She said the move to the Foreign Office would not change where her attention sits.

“The impact for communities across South East Cornwall will always be my priority, just as they have been since I was elected, and during my time as a PPS in the Energy Department. I’m determined to get started at the FCDO and continue to work hard to deliver for South East Cornwall.”