Employment Minister Esther McVey has brushed aside criticism over her reappearance in the Cabinet, joking that being dubbed 'Queen of the Downing Street catwalk' is acceptable if it encourages young women to enter politics. The former TV presenter was among several female MPs photographed on the steps of Number 10 after the reshuffle, with some taking on roles junior to men whose promotions were announced on Twitter.
Speaking after her promotion to attend Cabinet, McVey told Sky News: 'Well all I can say is that it's fantastic having women in powerful positions in the newspapers. If that meant we were walking, the paper might have called it a catwalk – we were walking into Number 10 Downing Street.' She added that she has worked with inner-city girls for 15 years, and seeing role models like Education Secretary Nicky Morgan inspires them.
David Cameron replaced several older male ministers with younger Tory women to make his top team more representative. Liz Truss became the youngest female Cabinet minister at 38, taking over as Environment Secretary from Owen Paterson. Nicky Morgan replaced Michael Gove as Education Secretary.
However, the reshuffle sparked backlash from Tory old guard, who accused Cameron of culling middle-aged men regardless of merit. One ousted minister complained: 'What do you have to do as a woman to get sacked by Cameron? No matter how hopeless or how provocative you are, you won’t get sacked because he has to meet his quotas.'
There was also embarrassment over the salary of new Lords leader Tina Stowell, who will be paid £78,891 – less than her predecessor Lord Hill's £101,038. Tory sources confirmed party funds would top up her pay after Labour criticism.
