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Sir Edward Leigh
MP for Gainsborough
ConservativeOfficeholder
Father of the House of Commons
About This MP
AI-generatedSir Edward Leigh is a Conservative MP for Gainsborough, first elected in 1983. He currently serves as Father of the House of Commons and sits on the Panel of Chairs, with a long parliamentary career that includes roles on the Public Accounts Commission and various committees.
Voting Patterns
He shows very high party loyalty (99%) and attends sittings above the party average (73%). Described as centre-right (60/100), his voting pattern is broadly in favour of immigration controls and the asylum system, supports the Rwanda deportation scheme, and generally backs transgender rights, while displaying a mixed record on NHS funding, VAT changes, and other domestic issues.
Notable Positions
- Supports immigration controls
- Supports the asylum system
- Supports the Rwanda deportation scheme
- Generally supports transgender rights
- Opposes stricter tobacco and vaping regulations (voted against Tobacco and Vapes Bill: Second Reading)
Financial Interests
Declares four financial interests: two visits outside the UK, one family member's employment, and one miscellaneous interest.
Generated 21 February 2026
99%
Party Loyalty
73%
Attendance
18
Rebel Votes
—
Total Votes
Political Position
LEFTRIGHT
Centre-right(60)
Based on 320 votesCareer & Roles
22 positions
Current
Committee
Panel of Chairs
Since Jul 2024
Other
Father of the House of Commons
Since Jul 2024
Previous
Committee
Restoration and Renewal Programme Board
Feb 2023 - May 2024
Committee
National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
Sept 2020 - May 2022
Committee
Panel of Chairs
Jan 2020 - May 2024
Committee
Procedure Committee
Mar 2018 - Nov 2019
Committee
Public Accounts Commission
Nov 2017 - Jul 2022
Committee
Panel of Chairs
Jun 2017 - Nov 2019
Voting Stances
Based on parliamentary votes
Universal Credit
Generally againsthas generally voted against universal credit
197 votes
Immigration controls
Generally forhas generally voted for immigration controls
167 votes
Bus services regulation
Generally againsthas generally voted against bus services regulation
110 votes
VAT changes
Generally againsthas generally voted against vat changes
96 votes
Asylum system
Generally forhas generally voted for asylum system
75 votes
Transgender rights
Mixedhas voted a mixture of ways on transgender rights
72 votes
Trade union powers
Generally againsthas generally voted against trade union powers
66 votes
NHS funding
Generally againsthas generally voted against nhs funding
49 votes
Financial Interests
4 declarations
Recent Rebel Votes
European Union (Withdrawal) Act Amdt (f) - Baron
15 Jan 2019
Draft Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019
27 Mar 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill: Third Reading
24 Oct 2018
European Union (Withdrawal) (No.5) Bill Committee NC4 - Cash
3 Apr 2019
Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill: Committee of the whole House New Clause 1 (McGinn)
9 Jul 2019
Recent Votes
NO
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2026-27
11 Feb 2026279 Aye90 No
NO
Local Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
11 Feb 2026277 Aye143 No
NO
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026
11 Feb 2026362 Aye107 No
NO
Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
4 Feb 2026392 Aye116 No
NO
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
3 Feb 2026458 Aye