A trio of Kent MPs are in key government jobs after the election which saw the Conservative gamble to go to the polls backfire in spectacular fashion.

For Ashford MP Damian Green, promotion has seen him placed at the heart of government with his appointment as First Secretary of State in a cabinet reshuffle - a job which makes him second in command to the PM.

He was the work and pensions minister and was one of Mrs May’s key cheerleaders during the campaign - regularly dispatched to the TV studios to defend the PM.

Mr Green was re-elected as the MP for Ashford with a majority of 17,478 and his promotion will be seen as a reward for his loyalty.

Effectively, the title equates to being the Deputy Prime Minister and could see Mr Green stand in for the PM at Prime Minister’s Questions.

The MP said: “I’m delighted to be given such a challenge at this very important time.”

He was at university with Mrs May and has remained close friends with the PM.

Politically, his promotion is seen as significant because he has never made any secret that he is on the pro-European wing of the party and was a staunch remainer in the EU referendum.

During the campaign, he was involved in the damaging row about the Conservatives’ plan for an adult care cap and insisted that despite the row over what opponents dubbed the dementia tax, there was to be no review.

However, less than 24 hours later he was contradicted as the party performed an abrupt U-turn.

He has also become Minister for the Cabinet Office.

Meanwhile, Sevenoaks MP Michael Fallon retains his role as defence secretary.

He too has been a staunch defender of the PM but has acknowledged that her style of governing should be more collegiate and inclusive.

And Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark also retains his job as business minister.

Mr Clark was first appointed by Mrs May last summer, swapping roles with Sajid Javid, who took over the portfolio for communities and local government.

He tweeted: “A privilege to serve as Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy at an important time for the United Kingdom.”

Meanwhile, the Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch is to continue in her role as sports minister.