Minister battling chronic migraine quits government role
Levelling up minister Dehenna Davidson has quit her role in government after saying her struggles with a chronic migraine made it ‘difficult, if not impossible’ to carry on.
The MP for Bishop Auckland in County Durham has served in the position since September last year, after first being elected in 2019.
In a resignation letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, she said it had been an ‘immense privilege’ to work in the department, but her condition ‘has had a great impact on my ability to carry out the role’.
Ms Davidson added: ‘Some days I’m fine, but on others it is difficult, if not impossible, to keep up with the demands of ministerial life – and the timing of such days is never predictable.
‘Though I have tried to mitigate, and am grateful to colleagues for their patience at times, I don’t feel it is right to continue in the role.’
The letter continued: ‘At such a critical time for levelling up, I believe the people of communities like mine, and across the country, deserve a minister who can give the job the energy it needs.
‘I regret that I no longer can.
‘And, as my capacity is currently diminished, it feels right to focus it on my constituents, and on promoting conservatism from the backbenches.’
Ms Davidson, who was 26 when she first became an MP, had already announced her intention to stand down at the next election.
What is a chronic migraine?
Living with a chronic migraine means you get more than 15 painful migraines each month – meaning at least one every other day.
It’s not as simple as a particularly bad headache either. Other symptoms include aversion to light, brain fog, problems with speech and nausea.
The Migraine Trust says the condition has ‘a huge impact on your physical, social and work life’, and can also affect relationships.
To find out more about living with chronic migraines, you can read our story here.
In response to the resignation, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove tweeted: ‘Really sorry to lose Dehenna from the department – a brilliant minister and kind friend.
‘Wishing her all the very best for the future. She has so much to offer.’
Redcar MP Jacob Young has been announced as Ms Davison’s replacement as levelling up minister.
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