James Murray has been appointed as the new Health Secretary following the resignation of Wes Streeting on Thursday. The announcement was made by the Prime Minister, who thanked Mr Streeting for his service.
Background and Previous Roles
Prior to his appointment, Mr Murray served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, a role he held since the last cabinet reshuffle. He was previously Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury. Mr Murray has been the Member of Parliament for Ealing North since 2019.
In 2016, after advising Sadiq Khan during his successful campaign to become Mayor of London, Mr Murray was named as London's Deputy Mayor for Housing. In this capacity, he championed a new 'fast track' approach to affordable housing requirements for developments in the capital.
Health and Personal Life
Mr Murray was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a long-term neurological condition that causes muscle weakness. However, he has been symptom-free since the early 2010s and has continued to lead an active political career.
The new Health Secretary takes on the role at a critical time for the National Health Service, with challenges including waiting lists, workforce shortages, and ongoing reforms. Mr Murray is expected to outline his priorities in the coming days.
