Becoming secretary of state
MPs with ambitions of being put in charge of a department must prepare, plan and set priorities now if they want to make an impact.
![Rishi Sunak's cabinet](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_desktop/public/2022-12/rishi-sunak-cabinet-1504x846px.jpg?itok=1jFiZPwc)
MPs with ambitions of being put in charge of a department must prepare, plan and set priorities now if they want to make an impact.
All new prime ministers face huge practical challenges of being head of government.
Ensuring you understand the rules that apply to ministers can help you avoid difficult situations that distract from your ability to get things done.
Ministers play a key role in making policy decisions, but also have a useful ability to shape the advice and input that informs those decisions.
For MPs elected to parliament for the first time the task ahead can seem daunting.