Newest MP promoted to shadow cabinet within months of election

The Barnsley Central MP was named as a Shadow Minister in Ed Miliband’s culture, media and sport team as the Labour leader completed a reshuffle of his front bench yesterday.

There was also a promotion for Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Angela Smith, who moves from being a whip to become Shadow Deputy Leader of the Commons.

Mr Jarvis’s appointment marks a rapid rise for the former Army Major who only became an MP in March when he won the seat vacated by Eric Illsley, who quit after being convicted for expenses fraud.

“The Government’s programme of the deepest cuts in a generation continues to disproportionately hurt the creative industries and I am relishing the opportunity to hold the government to account from the front bench,” said Mr Jarvis.

He added: “Despite my new role, my number one priority will remain Barnsley Central and ensuring that the town continues to change its local, regional and national profile.”

Mr Miliband has reshuffled his front bench in order to bring a string of new MPs into his top team. Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves was unveiled as new Shadow Chief Secretary to The Treasury on Friday while Barnsley East MP Michael Dugher will also attend the shadow cabinet as a Shadow Minister without portfolio.

Last night Mr Miliband, MP for Doncaster North, met his MPs for the first time since the party’s conference in Liverpool when his speech attacking “bad” businesses received a mixed reception.

The Labour leader insisted the party is “winning” the argument over growth by calling for a Plan B but said they needed to “keep prosecuting it”.

Mr Miliband said: “We have reached a critical moment in the battle for our economic future.

“Labour’s had a duty to fight for poeple’s jobs, home and businesses and this is why we must be bold in continuing the arguments we began at conference.”

He added: “Families across the country are now beginning to realise the austerity plan for cuts that go too far and too fast is hurting but not working.”

He urged MPs to rally behind a growth plan unveiled by the party at conference including a VAT cut.