MP appointed to assist 'boomer' minister
Any perceived swagger about Anna Soubry at the moment can be forgiven. The Broxtowe Conservative MP has been given the nod to a possible ministerial role in any future Cameron government.
She joins a growing sisterhood among East Midland Tory female MPs. (See my past blog about Nicky Morgan and Jessica Lee).
She's been appointed by Number Ten as a parliamentary private secretary. Anna will be assisting the Health Minister and Essex Tory Simon Burns. It's a rather interesting combination.
The former TV presenter and defence barrister was described in one newspaper as having one of the huskiest voices on the backbenches; whereas, her new boss has a reputation for being a boomer i.e. he shouts a lot!
"I'm really delighted. But I may have to keep an eye on Simon," she told me. This may have less to do with his health brief, but rather his recent run-ins with the Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow.
In the summer, Mr Burns clashed in the Commons chamber with Mr Bercow. The minister was heard to mutter that the Speaker was a "sanctimonious, stupid dwarf" and was forced to apologise.
Both Anna and Simon Burns have things in common. They're former journalists and both were born in Robin Hood country; Anna in Worksop and Simon in Nottingham.
And there's a third matter they also share in common. Anna is not slow in coming forward and can hit those high decibels when required. Does any know if the Speaker's Chair is sound proofed?!
Hello. My name is John Hess. I'm the BBC's Political Editor for the East Midlands and this blog will offer my musings on the political scene from Westminster to closer to home. 
