Jake Berry Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Right Honourable
Sir Jake Berry
Leader:Liz Truss
Office:Chairman of the Conservative Party
Term Start:6 September 2022
Term End:25 October 2022
Predecessor:Andrew Stephenson and Ben Elliot
Successor:Nadhim Zahawi
Office1:Minister without Portfolio
Primeminister1:Liz Truss
Term Start1:6 September 2022
Term End1:25 October 2022
Predecessor1:Andrew Stephenson
Successor1:Nadhim Zahawi
Birthname:James Jacob Gilchrist Berry
Birth Date:1978 12, df=yes[1]
Birth Place:Liverpool, Merseyside, England
Nationality:British
Party:Conservative
Spouse:
    Children:3
    Residence:Rossendale, Lancashire, England
    London, England
    Alma Mater:University of Sheffield and College of Law
    Profession:Politician
    Office3:Member of Parliament
    for Rossendale and Darwen
    Office2:Minister of State for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth
    Primeminister2:Theresa May
    Boris Johnson
    Predecessor3:Janet Anderson
    Predecessor2:Andrew Percy
    Successor2:Simon Clarke
    Termstart2:14 June 2017
    Term Start3:6 May 2010
    Termend3:30 May 2024
    Termend2:13 February 2020
    Successor4:Andy MacNae

    Sir James Jacob Gilchrist Berry (born 29 December 1978) is a British Conservative Party politician and former solicitor who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Rossendale and Darwen in Lancashire first elected at the 2010 general election serving until defeat in the 2024 general election. He previously served as Chairman of the Conservative Party and Minister without Portfolio from 6 September to 25 October 2022.[2] Before this, he served as Minister of State for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth from 2017 to 2020 in the governments of Theresa May and Boris Johnson.[3]

    In the 2024 United Kingdom general election he was defeated by Labour's Andy MacNae.[4]

    Early life and education

    James Berry was born on 29 December 1978 in Liverpool and privately educated at Liverpool College, before studying for a law degree at Sheffield University. He trained to be a solicitor in Chester[5] and in the City of London, qualifying as a solicitor in 2003.[6] He worked for a number of legal practices, specialising in planning law.

    Parliamentary career

    Berry was first elected as MP for Rossendale and Darwen at the 2010 general election, winning with 41.8% of the vote and a majority of 4,493.[7]

    In 2010, he was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Grant Shapps, the Minister for Housing and Local Government at the Department of Communities and Local Government, following Shapps to the Cabinet Office in 2012.[8]

    In April 2013, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, asked Berry to join the Number 10 Policy Unit, headed by Jo Johnson. His roles in this position included advising the Prime Minister on housing, regional growth and local government.[9]

    Berry sponsored the Local Government (Religious etc. Observances) Act 2015, which gave councils the right to hold religious prayers at the start of meetings.[10]

    At the 2015 general election, Berry was re-elected as MP for Rossendale and Darwen with an increased vote share of 46.6% and an increased majority of 5,654.[11] [12] [13]

    From July 2015 until January 2017, Berry served on the Parliamentary Finance Committee.[14]

    In May 2016, it emerged that Berry was one of a number of Conservative MPs being investigated by police in the 2015 general election party spending investigation, for allegedly spending more than the legal limit on constituency election campaign expenses.[15] However, in April 2017, Lancashire Police confirmed that no further action would be taken.[16]

    Berry was opposed to Brexit prior to the 2016 referendum.[17]

    At the snap 2017 general election Berry was again re-elected, with an increased vote share of 50.8% and a decreased majority of 3,216.[18]

    Junior Minister

    Following the 2017 election, Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Berry as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, making him the third Northern Powerhouse minister in the space of two years.[19] In March 2018, he described campaigners who forced the aerospace firm BAE Systems to withdraw as a sponsor of a flagship arts festival in North East England as "subsidy addicted artists" and "snowflakes".[20]

    After Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, Berry was promoted to Minister of State, with attendance at cabinet meetings. He was appointed to the Privy Council the next day.[21]

    At the 2019 general election Berry was again re-elected, with an increased vote share of 56.5% and an increased majority of 9,522.[22]

    He resigned from government in February 2020 after refusing a move to a ministerial office at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in a cabinet reshuffle.[23] [24]

    Chairman of the Conservative Party

    On 6 September 2022, following the Conservative Party leadership election, the new Prime Minister Liz Truss appointed Berry to her government.[25] He joined the Cabinet as Minister without Portfolio,[26] and he was also appointed to the party role of Chairman of the Conservative Party.[27]

    Speaking on Sky News on 2 October 2022 about the approach the Liz Truss government was taking to enable households to afford their utility bills, Berry said that people could either cut their consumption or get a higher-paid job.[28] He later apologised, describing his remarks as "clumsy".[29]

    Return to the backbenches

    On 25 October 2022, Berry stood down as Chairman of the Conservative Party upon the ascension of Rishi Sunak to the premiership. Berry returned to the backbenches.

    Personal life

    Berry lives in Rossendale and London.[30] [31] He married Charlotte Alexa in 2009. They divorced in September 2016.[32] He has been married to Alice Robinson since May 2018.[33] She was previously Boris Johnson's parliamentary office manager. The couple have three children.[34] On 14 October 2022 it was announced that Berry had been knighted.[35]

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Berry, James Jacob Gilchrist, (Jake)', Who's Who 2012, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 2012; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2011; online edn, Nov 2011 accessed 30 November 2012
    2. Web site: Rishi Sunak – live updates: Jacob Rees-Mogg among departures as Sunak appoints new cabinet after warning of 'difficult decisions' ahead . 2022-10-25 . Sky News . en.
    3. Web site: Jake Berry MP. GOV.UK. 25 July 2019. en-GB. https://web.archive.org/web/20190723230041/https://www.gov.uk/government/people/jake-berry. 23 July 2019. live.
    4. News: Rossendale and Darwen – General election results 2024 . 2024-07-05 . BBC News . en-GB.
    5. News: Thorp . Liam . The surprising number of Tory MPs from Liverpool and who they all are . 14 February 2021 . Liverpool Echo . 9 August 2020 . 12 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201212165601/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/surprising-number-tory-mps-merseyside-18735005 . live .
    6. Web site: Jake Berry . . https://web.archive.org/web/20121127052447/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Berry_Jake.aspx . 30 November 2012 . 27 November 2012 . live.
    7. Web site: Election Data 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130726162034/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt . 26 July 2013 . 17 October 2015 . Electoral Calculus.
    8. Web site: Jake Berry . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130102222504/http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/jake-berry/62817 . 2 January 2013 . 30 November 2012 . Parliament of the United Kingdom.
    9. News: David Cameron recruits Boris's brother for Number 10 . London . . Robert . Winnett . 24 April 2013 . 3 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180501152509/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10016467/David-Cameron-recruits-Boriss-brother-for-Number-10.html . 1 May 2018 . dead .
    10. Web site: Local Government (Religious etc. Observances) Bill 2014–15. UK Parliament. 17 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150204054058/http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2014-15/localgovernmentreligiousetcobservances.html. 4 February 2015. live.
    11. Web site: VIDEO: Jake Berry retains Rossendale and Darwen seat for Conservatives. Lancashire Telegraph. 8 May 2015 . 8 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150518081208/http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/darwen/12938480.Jake_Berry_retains_Rossendale_and_Darwen_seat_for_Conservatives/?ref=rss. 18 May 2015. live.
    12. Web site: Election Data 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt . 17 October 2015 . 17 October 2015 . Electoral Calculus.
    13. News: Rossendale & Darwen . 7 May 2015 . BBC News.
    14. Web site: Jake Berry MP. GOV.UK. 30 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180501005037/https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/jake-berry/4060. 1 May 2018. live.
    15. News: 23 June 2016. Election Expenses Exposed. Channel 4 News. live. 30 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093140/https://news.channel4.com/livepages/2016/election-expenses/. 1 May 2018.
    16. Web site: 27 April 2017. Rossendale MP Jake Berry in the cleared in election expenses investigation. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180501004641/https://www.rossendalefreepress.co.uk/news/rossendale-mp-jake-berry-cleared-12953801. 1 May 2018. 30 April 2018. Rossendale Free Press.
    17. News: Goodenough. Tom. Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence?. 11 October 2016. The Spectator. 16 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502030758/https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/. 2 May 2019. live.
    18. News: Rossendale & Darwen parliamentary constituency . BBC News.
    19. News: I went to interview the Northern Powerhouse minister – but ended up in a room with secret documents. Lucy Roue. Manchester Evening News. 30 April 2018. 7 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093010/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/northern-powerhouse-minister-interview-documents-13295645. 1 May 2018. live.
    20. News: Minister criticises 'snowflake' artists who opposed arms firm sponsorship. Perraudin. Frances. 2018-03-09. The Guardian. en. 2018-07-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20180709010327/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/mar/09/great-exhibition-of-the-north-bae-systems-northern-powerhouse-jake-berry. 9 July 2018. live.
    21. Web site: ORDERS APPROVED AND BUSINESS TRANSACTED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE QUEEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON 25TH JULY 2019 . 2019 . Privy Council Office . 30 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190730112009/http://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-07-25-List-of-Business.pdf . 30 July 2019 . live .
    22. Web site: Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll .
    23. Web site: Schofield . Kevin . 2020-02-25 . Boris Johnson ally quits government after turning down Foreign Office job . 2022-05-26 . Politics Home . en . 6 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220906212353/https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/boris-johnson-ally-quits-government-after-turning-down-foreign-office-job . live .
    24. Web site: Beaney . Abigail . 3 February 2022 . Rossendale and Darwen MP would say 'yes, yes, yes' if asked to return to cabinet . 2022-05-26 . Lancashire Telegraph . en . 15 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220715200214/https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/19894823.jake-berry-mp-yes-asked-return-cabinet/ . live .
    25. News: New cabinet: Who is in Liz Truss's top team? . 7 September 2022 . . 2022-10-03 . 2 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002181441/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62796077 . live .
    26. News: Prime Minister Liz Truss appoints Jake Berry as Minister without Portfolio . 7 September 2022 . . 2022-10-03 . 7 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220907140016/https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2022-09-07/who-is-jake-berry-and-what-is-a-minister-without-portfolio . live .
    27. News: What is a Minister without Portfolio? Jake Berry appointed Cabinet role . Nuray . Bulbul . 7 September 2022 . . London . 2022-10-03 . 8 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908194416/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/minister-without-portfolio-jake-berry-cabinet-b1023753.html . live .
    28. Web site: Outrage as East Lancs MPs says those struggling with bills should 'get a new job' . Joe . Harrigan . 2022-10-02 . 2022-10-02 . . Blackburn . en-GB . 2 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002225956/https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/23008757.jake-berry-darwen-rossendale-mp-says-struggling-bills-get-new-job/ . live .
    29. News: Forrest . Adam . Tory chair apologises for telling struggling people to just 'get better-paid job' . 7 October 2022 . The Independent . 6 October 2022.
    30. Web site: Statement of Persons Nominated. Rossendale Borough Council. 13 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150413210900/http://www.rossendale.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/2320/statement_of_parliamentary_candidates_and_notice_of_poll. 13 April 2015. dead.
    31. Web site: About Jake. Jake Berry. 30 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093052/https://www.rdca.co.uk/jake-berry-mp. 1 May 2018. live.
    32. News: Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry in divorce from wife . Lancashire Telegraph . 20 September 2016 . Jon . Robinson . 2 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170203162151/http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/14753835.Rossendale_and_Darwen_MP_Jake_Berry_in_divorce_from_wife/ . 3 February 2017 . live .
    33. News: Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake thrilled with second baby son. Lancashire Telegraph. 30 October 2018. Jacobs. Bill. 1 November 2020. 6 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220906212351/https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/17189154.rossendale-darwen-mp-jake-thrilled-second-baby-son/. live.
    34. News: Jake Berry: 'I have one political job left in me . . . and it's to help the north rise again'. The Times. 1 November 2020. Thomson. Alice. Swinford. Steven. 1 November 2020. 2 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201102012123/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jake-berry-i-have-one-political-job-left-in-me-and-its-to-help-the-north-rise-again-030m8nls0. live.
    35. Web site: Political Honours conferred: October 2022 . 2022-10-14 . GOV.UK . en.

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