Florence Eshalomi MP has been appointed as the new faith minister, combining the role with responsibilities for homelessness, democracy and communities. The Labour MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell becomes the eleventh politician to hold the faith brief in ten years, succeeding Lord Lemos after his short period in office. Eshalomi is a practising Roman Catholic with longstanding connections to Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Brixton, where she met and married her husband, and later had her children baptised. She is also a member of Christians in Parliament and chairs the Friends of CAFOD All-Party Parliamentary Group. Eshalomi has previously argued that government should regard churches and faith communities as partners in national renewal rather than simply emergency support services, highlighting their contribution to protecting vulnerable people. She has also spoken publicly against the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, where her family has roots. Her appointment places her at the centre of government engagement with Britain’s diverse faith communities and also with significant questions surrounding religious freedom and social cohesion.