IN THE aftermath of the Conservative leadership campaign, two of the region's members of parliament have been given cause to celebrate.

For Ann Winterton, MP for Congleton, and Stephen O'Brien MP for Eddisbury, have both been given seats on the Conservatives front bench in the House of Commons.

Ann Winterton in particular was delighted with the news as not only was she appointed to the front bench she was also given a seat on the shadow cabinet as the shadow minister for agriculture.

Stephen O'Brien has also been moved to the front bench in the position of pairing whip although, for the near future, he is to take up the role of acting director of Iain Duncan Smith's leadership office.

Both Ann Winterton and Stephen O'Brien supported Iain Duncan Smith throughout the leadership campaign and are happy to have received what are, in effect, promotions within the party.

Ann Winterton said: "I am delighted to have been given the position of shadow minister for agriculture, a post which has been promoted to the shadow cabinet.

"I look forward to representing the best interests of the agricultural communities in the UK and to take this Labour Government to task for presiding over the worst agricultural recession since before the Second World War, a situation exacerbated by its handling of the serious ongoing foot and mouth crisis."

Stephen O'Brien said: "I am delighted that the new leader of the Conservative Party, Iain Duncan Smith, has appointed me as the acting director of his new private office, at the same time as I am joining his front bench team in the whips office.

"These roles will be very challenging, but rewarding, and will involve a lot of hard work and commitment from myself and my colleagues who will be assisting me.

"These roles however will not diminish my commitment and availability to my constituents for whom I shall continue to work relentlessly and rededicate myself to taking up their issues and concerns."