Karen Bradley is new UK Culture Secretary

14 July 2016, 10:53 | Written by Laurence Day

(News)

The UK's new Prime Minister Theresa May has installed Karen Bradley as the nation's Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport.

Bradley was previously a Home Office Minister and the first-ever Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation. She was in the Remain camp during the EU Referendum.

A spokesperson for Arts Council England says of the appointment: "We welcome Karen Bradley the new Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, and look forward to working with her to provide great art and culture for everyone."

The Staffordshire Moorlands MP will be replacing the frequently hopeless John Whittingdale, who this morning confirmed his sacking. Bradley will be joining Boris Johnson, Amber Rudd, Justine Greening, Liz Truss and more in the cabinet.

Has been a privilege to serve as Culture Secretary. I wish my successor every success & will continue to support creative industries
— John Whittingdale (@JWhittingdale) July 14, 2016

While Whittingdale's departure might be a silver lining in the current political maelstrom, it remains to be seen if Bradley is a safe pair of hands for culture.

She studed mathematics at university and had a career in finance and tax management prior to politics.

It’s alright everyone, Karen Bradley is DEVOTED to the arts. pic.twitter.com/e0u2lygq2y
— Dan Rebellato (@DanRebellato) July 14, 2016

Karen Bradley as Culture Secretary. Makes sense with all her vast & varied experience of Culture. Oh. #reshuffle pic.twitter.com/LP8habV01x
— Tiernan Douieb (@TiernanDouieb) July 14, 2016