Harpenden's MP has been appointed to a new role in Parliament, just two months after her election.

Victoria Collins has been named as the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for science, innovation and technology.

Her appointment is part of leader Ed Davey's shuffling of his top team, following a General Election in which the Lib Dems won 72 seats.

Ms Collins is one of 57 new MPs, winning the new seat of Harpenden and Berkhamsted - two towns that have historically elected Conservative representatives to Parliament.

Her new role will see her lead the party's approach to science and technology, challenging Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle in Westminster, while also representing her constituents at home.

She said: “I am very grateful to Ed Davey for this opportunity to hold ministers to account in the House of Commons, and to take local issues to the heart of Westminster.

"In both my constituency and nationwide, people are struggling with soaring living costs and a health service in crisis after years of chaos under the Conservatives.

“In this role, I will champion these goals and local residents’ concerns. I know that people are anxious about the epidemic of poor mental health amongst children, and with this new role, I will push the government to ensure children are kept safe online, particularly on social media.

"Furthermore, I know local residents are concerned about being excluded from services, such as banking, as they shift online."

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Yesterday, she welcomed the news that Harpenden is to get a banking hub, following an exodus of merchants from the town.

 

 

Ms Collins is one of 25 new MPs to be given a frontbench role, bringing experience in the sector from founding a tech start-up before entering politics. 

As part of the reshuffle, deputy leader and St Albans MP Daisy Cooper has been given a new role as the party's treasury spokesperson, having previously served as its voice on health and social care.

Earlier this week, Ms Cooper used her speech to the party's conference in Brighton to open up about her battle with Crohn's disease.