Hove MP Peter Kyle on first visit to Northern Ireland since Labour reshuffle

The MP for Hove and Portslade was appointed the new shadow Northern Ireland secretary last month.

The 51-year-old was promoted from his former role as shadow minister for schools and replaced Louise Haigh, who left her post to replace Jim McMahon as shadow transport secretary.

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Upon finishing his first trip to Northern Ireland since his appointment, he said: “Leaving after a fascinating, intense three days in Belfast.

“I came to learn and I have.

“Everyone was generous with their time and sincere with their heartfelt views. Thank you.

“I said at the start I aspire to be a powerful voice for all Northern Ireland. My resolve is doubled.”

Leaving after a fascinating, intense three days in Belfast.

I came to learn and I have.

Everyone was generous with their time and sincere with their heartfelt views. Thank you.

I said at the start I aspire to be a powerful voice for all Northern Ireland. My resolve is doubled! pic.twitter.com/rdBcmOSRFt

— Peter Kyle MP (@peterkyle) December 15, 2021

Peter Kyle has been a Member of Parliament since 2015.

A former charity sector executive, he previously served as a shadow justice minister from 2020 to 2021 and a shadow education minister in 2021.

The Labour cabinet reshuffle last month also saw Sir Keir Starmer appoint Yvette Cooper as shadow home secretary.

In other moves, David Lammy was promoted to shadow foreign secretary, replacing Lisa Nandy, while Ed Miliband retained his role over climate change policy, but lost his shadow business secretary role to Jonathan Reynolds.

Sir Keir said the reshuffle would give him a "smaller, more focused shadow cabinet that mirrors the shape of the government we are shadowing".

"I look forward to working with the new team to show we are once again a serious party of government," the Labour leader added.

Earlier this week, Peter Kyle criticised the Prime Minister after a photo emerged of Boris Johnson appearing to take part in a virtual quiz.

The Hove asked whether anyone did any work in Downing Street last December, "or was it all one big knees-up?"

He said: "In all the paintings and photos of Churchill during the war I don't recall one of him hosting a quiz."

The festive event is said to have taken place three days before an alleged Christmas party in Number 10, which is currently being investigated by Cabinet secretary Simon Case.

Downing Street said the Conservative Party leader had "briefly" taken part "virtually" in the quiz.