DURING the Prime Minister's recent reshuffle of his ministerial ranks, MP for Central Devon Mel Stride has been appointed as a minister in the Whips office, and will play a key role in implementing the Government's agenda during the next ten months. Members of Mr Stride's local Conservative Association said they were 'delighted' that his hard work and contribution in Westminster over the past four years have been recognised. Local party chairman John Midgley said: 'Mel has been an outstanding MP for the past four years. He has handled the huge demands of representing the third largest constituency in England extremely well and has built himself an excellent reputation as both a hard working local MP and someone who is keen to put issues we care about here in Devon firmly on the radar at Westminster.' Former Lib Dem councillor Martin Binks, who defected to the Conservatives earlier this year in part due to his respect for Mr Stride as an MP, said: 'Mel thoroughly deserves this promotion. He has made important contributions in the House of Commons in issues such as farming, support for small businesses and pensioners, rural broadband, welfare reform, national defence and mobile home parks and has proven himself to be an intelligent and thoughtful MP who is passionate about standing up for us here in Central Devon.' Governments are only effective if they can push their agenda through the House of Commons and turn their policies into law. As a Government Whip, Mr Stride will help organise parliamentary business.