Dorries exits DCMS as gambling remains in the dark on review proceedings

Nadine Dorries has confirmed that she has resigned from duties as Secretary of State for DCMS, choosing not to serve in the senior cabinet of new Prime Minister Liz Truss.   

The MP for Mid Bedfordshire is reported to have turned down a direct request by Truss to stay in charge of leading DCMS directives.

A steadfast ally of Boris Johnson, Dorries is expected to be rewarded with a peerage, announced by the PM’s resignation honours list, that will trigger a by-election in her constituency.

Dorries was promoted to DCMS Secretary of State in September 2021, following PM Johnson’s third cabinet reshuffle, succeeding Oliver Dowden.   

Her appointment was met with scepticism, as Dorries who had only two-years of experience in cabinet would take charge of a loaded DCMS agenda, that included the headline reviews and judgements on reforming the BBC, digital rights, football governance and the appointment of Ofcom leadership.

Gambling duties included overseeing the review of the 2005 Gambling Act and the Fourth National Lottery Competition.

Gambling review proceedings saw the government announce consecutive delays in the publishing of the white paper on gambling reforms, as industry stakeholders continue to wait on transformative judgements related to customer affordability checks, compliance, wagering limits and football sponsorships.

Re-scheduled to be announced in June, gambling incumbents were further frustrated as the government pulled back its decision, citing that industry reforms would be settled by a new cabinet taking office in September, following the conclusion of the Conservative leadership contest.

Since the 2019 General Election, DCMS’ gambling brief has been handled by five separate MPs; Helen Whately, Nigel Huddlestone, John Whittingdale, Chris Philp and Damian Collins announced as an interim appointee taking charge of affairs.

Observing Number-10 developments, media speculation points to Liz Truss appointing current Education Secretary Michelle Donelan as next DCMS leader.