Arise, Sir Ben!

Exeter MP in birthday honours' list

Exeter's MP Ben Bradshaw has become a knight of the realm in the king's first birthday honours' list.
 
After starting his career in journalism in Devon, Sir Ben, as he'll now be known, was elected to parliament in 1997 in the Labour landslide of that year - becoming only the second member of the party to represent the city.
 
He's served as a health minister and joined the cabinet as culture, media and sport secretary under Gordon Brown.
 
The citation to his appointment as Knight Bachelor highlights how he campaigned for the Met Office to relocate to Exeter, and to secrue funding against flooding at Cowley Bridge in the Exe valley.

Sir Ben has told PA news agency: “I wasn’t sure about accepting it because of doubts about the honour system, and particularly in the light of recent events. But also the fact that there are many unsung heroes and heroines in my constituency far more worthy of recognition.

“But I guess I then thought, well, my late dad would have been very proud. My mum would have laughed very loudly.

“So in their memory and on behalf of all the people who’ve supported me in my public and private lives over many, many years, I’d like this to be seen as a thank you to them really, because without them I couldn’t have done the job.”

Sir Ben's fellow MP and knight in the county, Sir Gary Streeter, who represents South West Devon has paid tribute, saying he's delighted to hear the news and the honour is "richly deserved." Sir Gary says that although they are on opposing parties, they have always treated one another with great respect and have a strong personal friendship.

Both Sir Gary and Sir Ben are stepping down as MPs at the next general election.