Bicester MP appointed Foreign Affairs spokesperson

He was appointed by the leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey on Wednesday (September 18) following the first reshuffle since the party won a record number of seats in the General Election.

Sir Ed urged his party to focus on the “people’s priorities” and “clean up the mess left by the Conservative party.”

The new appointment follows Sir Ed’s speech to Liberal Democrat conference this weekend, where he set out plans to be a “responsible opposition”.

Mr Miller has vowed to reflect the concerns of voters in Bicester and Woodstock in the heart of Westminster and said he will now use his role on the frontbench in the House of Commons to hold the government to account on policy decisions. 

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The MP has experience representing the UK internationally as a senior civil servant and working closely with politicians and officials from around the world as a fellow at Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government. 

Mr Miller takes over from Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran, who has been appointed chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee.

Commenting on the new appointment, Mr Miller said: “It is an honour to take on this role and speak for my party on foreign affairs, succeeding my fellow Oxfordshire MP, Layla Moran.

“I am grateful to Ed Davey for this opportunity to hold ministers to account in the House of Commons.

"I will work hard to raise the issues that residents in Bicester and Woodstock - and across the country - care about most.

“After years of chaos under the previous Conservative government, the UK’s international reputation is in tatters.

Calum Miller after he won the seat at the General Election in July (Image: Charlotte Coles, Newsquest) "Restoring that will help keep us more secure, bring more investment and jobs to our country, provide assistance to the poorest people in the world and do more to tackle climate change.

"These are priorities that residents here care about and I am glad to be part of a constructive opposition in Westminster that will press the Labour government to deliver on them.

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“I will also continue to represent the local interests of my constituents in parliament and in my interactions with ministers.

"Whether it is Winter Fuel Payments, the London Road crossing, Campsfield House or access to healthcare and dentistry, I am determined to press ministers for answers and for action.”

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey said: “My new frontbench will champion the people’s priorities, ensuring we hold the new government to account as a responsible opposition.

“I am so proud of my entire team of 72 Liberal Democrat MPs who will serve as strong local champions in Westminster as we clean up the mess left by the Conservative government."