MP admitted to the UK's political elite by joining Privy Council

South West Herts MP David Gauke meets Margaret Thatcher. Archive picture, April 2013 ENGPNL00320130904105534

Mr Gauke, whose constituency includes Berkhamsted and Tring, got the role as part of his promotion to Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

The Privy Council is made up of cabinet ministers,  other senior politicians, as well as leading bishops and law lords, and membership is for life.

Mr Gauke told the Gazette: “I got it in the summer but Wednesday (October 12) was the formal ceremony.

“We’re sworn to secrecy about what this entails, but I met the Queen and the other existing councillors.

“It’s a great privilege  and recognition of my  role as a senior Member  of Parliament.

“And it was a pleasure to see Her Majesty of course – it’s only a few months since I saw her during her visit to Berkhamsted.”

Although Mr Gauke is not a full member of the cabinet as Chief Secretary to the Treasury he does attend cabinet meetings. The Treasury is the only government department with two members attending cabinet.