New Year Honours 2024: Derbyshire MPs recognised in list

Two Derbyshire MPs have been recognised for their services to politics in the New Year Honours list.

Dame Margaret Beckett, MP for Derby South, and Maggie Throup, who represents Erewash, were revealed in the list on Friday evening.

Labour's Mrs Beckett, who was the first woman to serve as foreign secretary, has had her damehood upgraded to a Dame Grand Cross.

Her Conservative counterpart, Ms Throup, has been appointed an OBE.

The latter, who served as minister for vaccines and public health during the rollout of the Covid-19 booster programme, said it was "a great privilege".

She added: "I opened the envelope expecting it to be the Cabinet Office asking for me to provide some information for one of my constituents.

"I almost had to read the letter twice to realise it was about me. It came as a very nice surprise.

"I don't feel worthy but somebody must think I am, so I am going to accept it with great pride and great honour."

Mrs Beckett, who also became the first woman to briefly serve as leader of the Labour Party, said she was "surprised" to be included in the list.

The 80-year-old has stated her intention to stand down at the next general election after 40 years in office.

"I'm appreciative," she told BBC Radio Derby. "It's some time since I had the initial award. I was quite surprised.

"It just means that the powers that be appreciate that you've made a contribution to public life, which is nice."

Elsewhere across Derbyshire, honours have also been handed out to people for numerous contributions to society.

Among those are England captain Millie Bright, who has become an OBE for services to football.

The defender, who plays for Chelsea, was born in Chesterfield and attended schools in Killamarsh and Eckington.

Other recipients include Sarah Armitage, from Ilkeston, who has been appointed MBE for her services to education.

The 52-year-old, who is chair of trustees at the Embark Federation, has been involved in the governance of schools for more than 20 years.

Patricia Pritchard, 66, from Derby, who has supported childcare and early years professionals for decades, has also been appointed MBE.

She has been managing director for the British Association of Professional Nannies since 2018.

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