A CONSERVATIVE MP is celebrating receiving a promotion after a parliamentary reshuffle.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson has been chosen to join the government whips office, taking on the role of a whip.

The office is is responsible for administering the whipping system, which ensures that MP’s attend and vote in parliament.

Whips report to the Prime Minister on any possible backbench revolts and the general opinion of MPs within the party.

Mr Stephenson said he was looking forward to what the new role will bring.

He said: “I am very pleased to have been asked to join the Whips Office.

“Representing Pendle will of course remain my top priority, but I am looking forward to this new challenge.

“Given the outcome of the General Election, we all need to work together in parliament to get legislation through where there is consensus and I hope to play a part in that working closely with the government and opposition whips offices.

“It is a real honour to be appointed and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

The Pendle MP was first elected to parliament in 2010 and lives in Colne.

Mr Stephenson has previously served as a parliamentary private secretary to four different ministers prior to receiving the promotion.

Most recently he has been serving Boris Johnson, the secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs, for the past year.

Fellow conservative MP Jake Berry, who has represented Rossendale and Darwen since 2010, congratulated Mr Stephenson on his promotion.

Mr Berry said: “I am very pleased that he has been recognised for all of his hard work and received the promotion.

“It is long overdue for him I believe.

“I think that Andrew is one of our shining stars over here in Lancashire.

“I am sure that he will be a real asset to the government going forward and look forward to seeing the work he will do”.

Before being elected to parliament Mr Stephenson was a self-employed insurance consultant running a small business in Greater Manchester.