BASINGSTOKE MP Maria Miller has been singled out by her parliamentary colleagues as the “one to watch”.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport scooped the “rising star” award at The House Awards on November 28. Mrs Miller said it was “an honour” to receive the accolade.

The annual awards are run by House Magazine, a weekly political magazine run by MP’s from all parties, and distributed within Westminster.

She was up against Labour’s Liverpool Walton MP Steve Rotheram, and Liberal Democrat business minister and East Dunbartonshire MP Jo Swinson.

Her nomination citation pointed to her rapid rise up the Conservative Party ranks to the front bench. She became a member of the Cabinet in September after serving as Minister for Disabled People in the Department for Work and Pensions.

It read: “After an assured stint as a minister, the new Culture Secretary’s career continues to move in an upwards direction.”

The winner was chosen by votes from MPs and Peers in the House of Lords.

Mrs Miller told The Gazette: “I am really delighted to have won this award. “It’s a great honour to have been recognised in this way by fellow MPs and Peers.

“The important thing for me is to continue to work hard to represent Basingstoke in Parliament as well as dealing with the wide range of high-profile issues facing me as Culture Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities.”