MEL Stride, the Conservative MP for Central Devon, was today, Thursday, May 23, appointed by Prime Minister Teresa May, as the new House of Commons leader, after Andrea Leadsom’s resignation yesterday, Wednesday, May 22.

Former Treasury minister Mel Stride (57), will take on the cabinet role, a key ministerial post, the primary role of which is organising day-to-day business in the Commons. The Leader of the House announces the business schedule for the following week every sitting Thursday.

Andrea Leadsom told Teresa May that she could not longer support key Brexit legislation.

Mr Stride, a former Tory whip, has been promoted from his job as financial secretary to the Treasury, which he started in 2017.

His elevation to the cabinet has led to a mini-reshuffle of ministerial positions with Jesse Norman, who was Transport Minister, set to replace him.

In turn, Michel Ellis replaces Mr Norman as a transport minister, while Rebecca Pow replaces Mr Ellis as a junior minister at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Mel Stride, a Remain supporting MP, was President of the Oxford Union while studying at university before setting up his own business specialising in trade exhibitions, conferences and publishing.

He expanded this venture into the United States, working there before selling the US company.

He joined Parliament in 2010, winning more than 50 per cent of the vote in his constituency, after being added to David Cameron’s A-List of candidates.

He has held a series of Parliamentary roles, being made Parliamentary Private Secretary to Skills Minister John Hayes in 2012.

Mr Stride later moved to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, working on the Energy Bill, before another promotion to become Minister of State in the Cabinet Office.

Mel was born in Ealing, West London in 1961. He was educated at Portsmouth Grammar School and then St Edmund Hall, Oxford.

He has a strong interest in history and as a hobby is a qualified tour guide.

He is married to Michelle and is the proud father of three daughters.

Mel is regular visitor to his constituency, including Crediton, Okehampton and Ashburton and which includes one of the largest rural areas in the country.