East Surrey MP Peter Ainsworth has been appointed to David Cameron’s shadow cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs - a position which he held in 2001-2, before stepping down for family commitments.

Since the summer of 2003 Peter has been Chairman of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), an influential cross-party group of MP’s charged with monitoring the Government’s progress on green issues.

Commenting on his new responsibilities, Peter Ainsworth said:

“I leave the EAC with considerable regret, but with a sense of some achievement. It has been a real pleasure to work with politicians from across the political spectrum, building a consensus about what needs to be done about the many threats to our environment and the over-riding challenge of climate change.

“I would not have been tempted away from the EAC, had it not been for David Cameron’s clear personal commitment to environmental issues, and I feel honoured to have been asked to serve on his team. The whole mood of British politics has changed with his election as Leader of the Opposition, and I share his vision of hope and optimism about our country.

“Ever since I was first elected to serve East Surrey, I have stressed the central importance of looking after the local environment for the benefit of present generations and those to come. The environment is where we live, from the street to the stratosphere; it is the context of all our lives. The challenges posed by climate change can seem awesome, but there are solutions. The present Government has done its best, but UK climate change gas emissions are rising. We need a fresh approach.”