MP for South Suffolk
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
“A highly loyal Conservative MP with a defence‑focused career, currently serving as Shadow Defence Secretary.”
James Cartlidge is the Conservative MP for South Suffolk, first elected in 2015. He has held ministerial roles at the Ministry of Defence and in the Treasury, and since July 2024 has served as Shadow Secretary of State for Defence. His parliamentary career includes work on the Public Accounts Committee and various defence, spending and governance roles.
Very high party loyalty (99%) and above-average attendance (84%) indicate strong alignment with party positions. His voting record on key issues is mixed: he generally backs immigration controls and the Rwanda deportation scheme, but has opposed some measures such as bus services regulation. He has a varied pattern on NHS funding, VAT changes and trade union powers, with a handful of rebel votes (10).
Three declared financial interests: donations and other support (including loans) related to activities as an MP.
Generated 21 February 2026
How this MP participates in parliamentary votes. These numbers describe activity, not effectiveness.
How often this MP votes
Conservative average: 56%
The percentage of parliamentary votes (divisions) this MP participated in. MPs may miss votes for legitimate reasons including ministerial duties, constituency work, or illness.
How often this MP votes with their party
Conservative average: 99%
Estimated from voting record, not self-declared. This is a simplified model — real politics is more complex than a single axis.
10 positions
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
Since Jul 2024
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Apr 2023 - Jul 2024
Public Accounts Committee
Nov 2022 - Jun 2023
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Oct 2022 - Apr 2023
Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill
Oct 2022 - Oct 2022
Judicial Review and Courts Bill
Oct 2021 - Nov 2021
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Ministry of Justice) (and Assistant Government Whip)
Sept 2021 - Jul 2022
Figures include only interests with declared monetary values from the Register of Members' Financial Interests. Some categories (e.g. hospitality, overseas visits) may not have monetary values recorded, so the total may not reflect all declared interests.
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
NOUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill [HL]
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
AYEIndustry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
AYEIndustry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2026-27
NOLocal Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
NODraft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026
NODraft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
NOUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
NOUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill [HL]
Opposition Day: Youth unemployment
AYEOpposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
AYEDraft Medical Devices (Fees Amendment) Regulations 2026
NOMedical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 9
AYEMedical Training (Prioritisation) Bill
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order 2025
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Third Reading
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
The percentage of votes where this MP voted the same way as the majority of their party. High loyalty is typical; most MPs vote with their party on most issues.
Rebel votes
Times this MP voted differently from the majority of their party. This can reflect independent judgement, but context matters — some rebel votes are on procedural matters, others on major policy.
