Former Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick is set to assume the position of co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews, which provides the Secretariat for the APPG, confirmed that it had asked Mr Jenrick, the Conservative MP for Newark, to consider becoming co-Chair of the group, alongside Dame Margaret Hodge, the Labour MP for Barking.
Mr Jenrick said: “I am extremely pleased to have been approached by the Board of Deputies regarding the possibility of assuming the position of co-chair of the APPG on British Jews. The British Jewish community is very close to my heart, and I look forward to working with Dame Margaret Hodge MP and all other members of the APPG to ensure that issues of importance to British Jews are properly addressed.”
Dame Margaret said: “I am pleased at the news that the Board have asked Robert Jenrick to consider becoming co-chair of the APPG on British Jews. While we have our political differences, I have a great deal of respect for Robert and I know that we will be able to work extremely well together to deal with key matters of interest to the UK’s Jewish community.”
Marie van der Zyl, President of the Board of Deputies, said: “We are delighted that Robert Jenrick has indicated his happiness to become the new co-chair of the APPG. In his years as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Robert was a key voice among those standing up for the British Jewish community, whether in regard to fighting antisemitism, the viability of the site for the Westminster Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre or ensuring the emendation of the Coronavirus Bill to protect religious burial. His close familial ties to our community also mean he is well aware of many of the issues we face. We commend him to all APPG members as an excellent choice for the position.”
It is understood that a vote will take place to confirm Mr Jenrick in the position of co-Chair at a forthcoming Extraordinary General Meeting of the APPG.