Stroud MP David Drew appointed as shadow Minister for Defra

MP for Stroud David Drew
MP for Stroud David Drew

David Drew, MP for Stroud, has joined Jeremy Corbyn’s front bench as Shadow Minister for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural affairs (DEFRA).

This means Mr Drew, a former teacher who is also a vegetarian, will be facing down current Defra minister Michael Gove.

He will scrutinise Mr Gove's policies on a wide range of issues in the lead up to a post-Brexit UK.

Mr Drew himself is a Eurosceptic.

In 2015 the farming community reacted with concern when Mr Corbyn appointed Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy, who is a vegan, to the role.

Corbyn said the new additions will "bolster" Labour's efforts to hold the government to account.

"These appointments are further evidence that Labour is not just the opposition - we are the government in waiting," he said in a statement.

In total 20 new ministers were appointed to the shadow cabinet.