MP for Rayleigh and Wickford
Shadow Minister (Defence)
“A defence-focused Conservative MP who is largely loyal to his party but has occasionally rebelled, notably on Rwanda policy and tobacco controls.”
Mr Mark Francois is a Conservative MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, first elected in 2001. He is the Shadow Minister for Defence and, since February 2026, sits on the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill. His previous ministerial roles include serving as Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence (2012-2015) and as Minister of State for Communities and Local Government (2015-2016), underlining a long career focused on defence and public service.
Francois shows very high party loyalty (98%) and above-average attendance (66% vs 56%). He has 33 rebel votes, indicating some independence. Positioned centre-right (53/100). On key issues, he generally supports immigration controls and the asylum system, and the Rwanda deportation scheme, while often voting against NHS funding, against bus services regulation, and with mixed positions on welfare-related topics.
Declared financial interests include four visits outside the UK and one employment/earnings entry.
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.
19 positions
Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill
Since Feb 2026
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Since Nov 2024
Armed Forces Commissioner Bill
Dec 2024 - Dec 2024
British Citizenship (Northern Ireland) Bill
Mar 2024 - Apr 2024
Public Accounts Committee
May 2021 - May 2024
Defence Sub-Committee
Mar 2020 - May 2024
Defence Committee
Mar 2020 - May 2024
Defence Sub-Committee
Sept 2017 - Nov 2019
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.
Railways Bill: Third Reading
NORailways Bill
Railways Bill Remaining Stages: Amendment 148
AYERailways Bill
Railways Bill Remaining Stages: Amendment 143
AYERailways Bill
Draft Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (Amendment) Order 2026
NOSteel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill Committee: New Clause 8
AYESteel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill Committee: Amendment 12
AYESteel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
Draft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2026
NOArmed Forces Bill Committee: New Clause 6
AYEArmed Forces Bill
Armed Forces Bill Committee: New Clause 5
AYEArmed Forces Bill
Armed Forces Bill Committee: New Clause 2
AYEArmed Forces Bill
King's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (i)
AYEPension Schemes Bill: Government Motion relating to Lords Reason 88X
NOCollective Defined Contribution Pension Schemes Bill
Privilege
AYENorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Carry-over (Motion)
NONorthern Ireland Troubles Bill
Pension Schemes Bill: Motion relating to Lords Reason 88Q
NOCollective Defined Contribution Pension Schemes 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.
